3 Tips on How to Get the Biggest Diamond for the Lowest Price

Everyone can afford a diamond. Diamond buying may seem challenging, however, by focusing on a few simple tips, you can walk happily out of the jewelry store with the biggest diamond for your dollar. If you are shopping for a diamond, by now you have no doubt discovered the four c’s. Diamonds are graded on clarity, color, cut, and carat. Carat refers to the size of the diamond. Clarity refers to the internal environment of the diamond – whether or not it contains inclusions, feathers, or flaws. The grades of clarity are internally flawless (IF), very very slight inclusion (VVS), very slight inclusion (VS), slight inclusion (SI), and imperfect (I). Generally speaking, diamonds that range from flawless to slight inclusion in clarity will have flaws only discernible via magnification. Diamonds with an imperfect clarity rating will have flaws visible to the naked eye. Diamond color is graded on a scale from completely colorless to yellow. Colorless diamonds carry color ratings of D, E, and F. Nearly colorless diamonds carry color ratings of G, H, I, and J. Diamonds with a faint yellow tint carry a color grading of K, L, and M. Diamonds that are very light yellow carry a color grading of N, O, P, Q, and R. Light yellow diamonds carry a color grading of S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, and Z. The cut of a diamond is not the same as the shape. The cut of a diamond ensures that the stone has maximum fire and brilliance through light reflection. Here are three tips to focus on in order to get the most carat for your cash: Tip 1: learn to compromise. Small inclusions or flaws in a diamond do not detract from a diamond’s brilliance or durability. By focusing on finding a diamond with slight inclusions, which is still clean to the naked eye, you can afford to buy a larger stone. Furthermore, shopping for a diamond in the nearly colorless grade range will help you find a larger stone for the money without compromising on sparkle. Tip 2: shop for a classic shape. Popular styles will come and go, but as popularity of a shape rises, so does the price tag. By sticking to classic, timeless shapes such as the round brilliant, you can find a larger diamond with a lower price tag. Tip 3: work with a jeweler you trust. By forming a strong working relationship with your jeweler, he or she can help you find the best diamond for your investment. A certified jeweler can provide the best advice on topics such as focusing on the search for a natural diamond versus purchasing a diamond that has either been clarity enhanced or high pressure/high temperature treated. By following these three tips for diamond buying, you can find the largest diamond for any budget.