How to Buy Diamond Bracelets for Valentine's Day

There's a diamond bracelet to suit every style, from delicate pieces that enhance an ensemble without overpowering it to bracelets that are bold enough to accessorize an entire outfit. Shopping for a diamond bracelet for Valentine's Day can be enjoyable, but knowing what to look for and what place your value on makes for a sound investment.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Weight of bracelet
• Care instructions

1. Learn what sets a tennis bracelet apart from other diamond bracelets. Tennis bracelets are made up of a series of diamonds held in individual prong settings. The prongs are joined together by chain links, giving the bracelet a fluid look and nice fit.

2. Decide on the type of cut for the diamonds and the style of the bracelet's chain. Linking the prongs via a common metal is appropriate. When a channel setting is used, the diamonds are arranged next to each other in a common casing. This gives a continuous flow of diamonds and allows for more facet exposure, and thus a higher degree of sparkle.

3. Give the gift of a diamond bracelet with special charm. A diamond bracelet will say so much about how you feel for your significant other, and it can mean even more when you add a diamond heart or other charm to hang from the brilliant bracelet.

4. Note the metal weight of the diamond bracelet you want to purchase for Valentine's Day. To ensure an adequate mounting of the diamonds in your bracelet, you will need a sufficient gold or silver weight to secure it. While there is no set weight for a bracelet, much will depend on the design, the number of gems and diamonds, and the length and width of the bracelet. Looks can be deceiving, so be sure the bracelet you buy is durable and sturdy.

5. Ask the jeweler about the proper storage requirements for the bracelet. Before you leave the store, also find out if any cleaning and repair services are included with your purchase. Appropriately caring for jewelry will help it glisten long after Valentine's Day.

Tips & Warnings

• When you buy diamond bracelets, pay more attention to the color of the diamonds than the clarity--these diamonds are usually smaller than the ones in a ring, so their clarity is harder to see. However, the color of the diamonds in your bracelet will grab notice.
• Insist on good craftsmanship when you buy a bracelet. Poor craftsmanship will result in loose gemstones, faulty clasps and poorly connecting links. It's true that mass-produced bracelets cannot be given individual attention, so consider having a bracelet custom-made for unparalleled quality.