Things You'll Need:
- Diamond
- Color
- Cut
- Clarity
- Carat
- Magnifying glass (jewelers loop)
- Price
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Step 1
Black Diamond EarringBudget you finances according to your diamond purchase. Diamonds can be the largest purchase you make this year. If you want to know how to buy loose diamonds, then you should start with the budget first. While diamonds come in all different price ranges according to their grade, size, cut, and clarity, knowing how much money you will spend gets you in the right frame of mind when taking these steps to the jewelers for a look through their diamond inventory. Know how much you can spend and then use your knowledge of how to buy loose diamonds to get more diamond for your money.
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Step 2
Diamond Tennis BraceletVisit local jewelers. Working with a respected jeweler will allow you to see how the diamonds he has are affected by the different quality checks that makes a diamond more or less expensive according to similar shapes and sizes. If it is your first visit to look at diamonds. Request that you be shown diamonds of different shapes, sizes, and clarity. Look at a minimum of two diamonds of similar price. Taking note of every difference, here are the things that make a loose diamond more, or less expensive. Carry notes and be ready to ask the jeweler to verify all diamond grades with proof. A certificate grade diamond will be able to carry its grade from owner to owner and from one jeweler to another. Be safe when you buy diamonds. Make you own decision on the quality of diamond you are shown. Regardless of a certificate you should always inspect the diamond yourself to confirm or deny the grade that each diamond receives.
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Step 3
Diamond Sample CertificateWeigh the diamond in carats. Each carat has one hundred points. Each diamond you will see at a jewelers will be sized and list the number of points. If the points are different than the stated carat size, then know that this diamond is being misrepresented. One of the easiest ways to buy less diamond than you want is to buy a diamond with less points that the descriptions states. While the size of a diamond makes it impressive in size, the color and clarity of the diamond is what makes it more or less expensive. Color, cut, and clarity. The three features of a diamond that affects the cost of a new diamond the most.
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Step 4
Diamond Clarity ScaleInspect the clarity of the diamond. Being a naturally produced product, a loose diamond is subject to imperfections that happen during the formation of the stone. Being made up of carbon, different materials can become infused within the diamond crystal. These inclusions can give a diamond color, show up as defects within the stone, or be missing entirely which makes a diamond more valuable. Inclusion free, colorless diamonds are the most sought after first diamond purchase around the world. Even with colored diamonds going for high process because of rarity, colorless, inclusion free diamonds are the most sought after and prized diamonds on the market. Use the images attached to this ‘How to Buy Loose Diamonds’ article for more information on the different grades of color and clarity that will affect a diamond’s price.
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Step 5
Diamond Inclusion ScaleChoose the shape of the diamond you want to buy. The one feature of a diamond that the owner will have their own preference on is the shape. After choosing a shape for your diamond and have a selection to inspect, analyze the way the diamond cutter cut the diamond. For diamonds to have the best brilliance, the light that enters the diamond must go down to the base, be reflected to the other side and then out back the top of the diamond. Diamonds that are cut too long or too short, will not have the same brilliance as a perfectly cut diamond. Learn how to buy diamonds that are cut correctly and your choice of a new diamond this year will be a very good purchase. Color, cut, clarity, and carat are what determine how much a diamond will cost. Make the most of your diamond budget by shopping smart and knowing how to buy loose diamonds.
Comments
lacina said
on 11/11/2009 When shopping for loose colored diamonds, you need to be aware that the diamonds will most likely be artificially colored; since naturally occurring colored diamonds are extremely rare and they are even more extremely expensive. Naturally, colored diamonds that are mined are often referred to as fancy color diamonds. A diamond lab certificate will always show you the true stare of the gem and validate it authenticity.
If you go about the clarity of the loose diamonds, clarity is a key component of the 4Cs. Clarity has a clear impact on the value of the diamond. There are various online recourse like http://www.gemisimo.com, which provide you with detailed information on diamond comparison and pricing. Taking help from such sources could be a smart approach while shopping loose diamonds.
allowishus said
on 8/27/2009 I agree - a very good article. I would add that you should speak with a knowledgeable jeweler about more than just the 4 Cs before you buy anything. You can read the 4 Cs and think you understand everything, but you really need to be confident that it's a diamond you're going to love when you get it - especially if you're buying it online. For example, a diamond with heavy fluorescence could actually look relatively cloudy even if the clarity is really good. I've used Blue Nile, http://www.loosegiadiamonds.com, and a few other sites before and have had pretty good luck with all. Just make sure someone answers your emails and picks up the phone when you call. That's one of the most important things.
allowishus said
on 8/27/2009 I agree - a very good article. I would add that you should speak with a knowledgeable jeweler about more than just the 4 Cs before you buy anything. You can read the 4 Cs and think you understand everything, but you really need to be confident that it's a diamond you're going to love when you get it - especially if you're buying it online. For example, a diamond with heavy fluorescence could actually look relatively cloudy even if the clarity is really good. I've used Blue Nile, http://www.loosegiadiamonds.com, and a few other sites before and have had pretty good luck with all. Just make sure someone answers your emails and picks up the phone when you call. That's one of the most important things.
goldiec said
on 8/27/2009 Thanks for the great tips on How to buy loose diamonds. I love diamonds! 5*
airving said
on 8/24/2009 Great idea for an article. Well done. Good use of images. Very helpful article on How to Buy Loose Diamonds. 5*