Not sure she’ll say yes? If you’ve got a tiny satin box with a shiny little rock inside, chances are you’ll get a positive response, along with a tight hug, a kiss, and a tearful “I thought you’d never ask.” How can a lady resist a stone? This kind, especially? She’s had her share of pebbles from the beach, but now she’s ready for the ones that were excavated from deep within the earth.
Funny how a diamond can change a woman’s feelings overnight – it’s almost like the gods designed it that way. For some lovers, a diamond is even stronger than a love potion.
Because you weren’t sure your lady love would say yes, you held off buying a diamond ring. But in the past two weeks, she’s been dropping hints – like talking about settling down because she’s tired of the dating scene and wants to hear the pitter-patter of small feet before her biological clock runs out.
You’re lying there, staring at the ceiling, and your gut is telling you, “Ask her now before she shops somewhere else.” You scratch your head, unsure about diamonds; even worse, you can’t tell the difference between a natural and a synthetic one.
Beads of sweat form on your forehead as you worry that a small, insignificant rock is going to cost you a year’s worth of salary. Suddenly, you think about calling your lawyer because you want to know if it’s legal to ask for the ring back if she breaks off the engagement.
Relax. There’s no hanky-panky in buying a diamond. First, talk to your friends who have bought one and decide on the budget you’re willing to allocate for this glitzy little thing that will eternally speak volumes about your commitment and undying devotion.
What was that popular saying again? “A diamond is forever.”
Buying a Diamond: Tuck These Tips In!
Gather Opinions
As suggested, talk to your friends and relatives who’ve bought diamonds for their beloveds. Not only will they give you a list of reputable jewelers, but they might also offer pointers to help you avoid the usual pitfalls of a newbie.
Fix Your Budget
Diamonds can cost thousands, even millions of dollars, but they’re certainly not just for the fabulously wealthy. You don’t need to be filthy rich or notoriously famous to afford a diamond. Visit two or three jewelry stores downtown and speak with the salespeople, and you’ll be shown a wide selection of diamonds with their price tags. Be cautious—some salespeople will try to get you to “up the ante” when they sense you’re ready to make a purchase. They’ll appeal to your emotions and remind you that your girl is worth much more than you’re willing to spend. They’ll dazzle you with talk about how the stones give off a prism of light, how they’ll never scratch, and so on.
And you know what? They’re probably right.
Know Thy 4 Cs – Make That 5!
The 4 Cs refer to color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. One diamond expert suggests adding a 5th C – credentials. Let’s dive into the first four:
Color: When grading diamonds, color is very important. The most desired diamonds are those that lack any color. A gemologist tests a diamond’s color by laying it on a black background and exposing it to ultraviolet light. This test reveals the fluorescence of the stone. Most diamonds emit a blue hue, but some may show tints of brown or yellow. Years ago, the letter “A” was used to rate a diamond’s color, but it caused confusion, so the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) introduced a grading system starting with the letter “D” for colorless diamonds and going to “Z” to indicate the full range of diamond colors. This system is still in use throughout the industry.
Clarity: A jeweler uses a 10X magnifying glass to inspect the diamond’s clarity, which can’t be assessed by the naked eye. The GIA’s grading system for clarity is widely used. Many people think clarity isn’t crucial if the flaw is invisible to the naked eye. While they have a point, if you’re buying diamonds for investment or simply collecting them, clarity is an essential factor in evaluating a diamond. It reflects the quality of the stone and justifies your investment.
Cut: Don’t confuse cut with shape. The “cut” refers to how the diamond is shaped and faceted from rough stone into a beautiful piece of jewelry, while “shape” is the actual form of the diamond—whether round, rectangular, or oval.
There are three basic diamond cuts:
Brilliant Cut: This cut has a minimum of 58 facets. If a diamond has flaws, the brilliant cut can camouflage them. While brilliant is the most popular cut, there are variations, like the step-cut (the emerald cut). When the step-cut is combined with the brilliant cut, it forms the radiant cut. If combined with a square-shaped stone, it’s called the princess cut.
Innovations in cutting have emerged, with some diamonds now boasting as many as 144 facets, compared to the traditional 57 to 58. The number of facets affects the sparkle, but the prices are steeper.
Daniel J. Dennis, Jr., author of Gems: A Lively Guide for the Casual Collector (1999), recommends that when buying a diamond, ensure the cut matches the shape. He advises: “Look into the stone face-up and check for dead spots visible to the naked eye. Make sure there’s adequate depth by examining the stone from the side as well as the bottom. Don’t be afraid to borrow a jeweler’s loupe for your inspection if you don’t already have one. Any reputable dealer will be happy to oblige.”
Carat Weight: This is, surprisingly, the least important of the 4 Cs. Bigger isn’t always better—unless we’re talking about double whoppers. Remember: a smaller, higher-quality diamond is more valuable than a larger, inferior one. Pay attention to the first three Cs, then consider carat weight if you must.
Dennis also explains the difference between carat and points: One carat equals 100 points. So half a carat equals 50 points. If color, clarity, and cut are equal, the larger diamond will hold more value.
Dennis offers a helpful piece of advice if you’re choosing a diamond band ring. Suppose you’re deciding between three options, all selling for $500. Each has similar quality:
Choice 1: Ten stones
Choice 2: Twenty-five stones
Choice 3: Fifty stones
If you go with Choice 1, you’ve made the best decision!
The Fifth C: Credentials
In this context, credentials refer to the certificates that come with your diamond purchase, especially if it’s an expensive one. These certificates act as legal, binding documents confirming your investment. Before writing the check or swiping your credit card, ask the jeweler about any certifications that come with the diamond. The jeweler might present a certificate from the American Gemological Society, Diamond High Council, or the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). The Diamond High Council is based in Belgium, and other European certifying bodies may also be involved.
