Whatever you do, DON’T let this happen to you!Aug 15 '02 (Updated Oct 14 '02) Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line If you feel at ALL pressured, walk away! Knowledge is power, so learn the 4C’s and any other tidbits you can find first. Get a guarantee in writing. My fairly recent engagement has inspired this review. I hope it helps you out! Purchasing a diamond is a big deal. It isn’t just ordinary jewelry. If you are romantic, perhaps even if you are not, it is a symbol of your love for one another. Even if you do not believe in all that mumbo jumbo, the fact is, it is an expensive purchase, so you don’t want to go to just any jeweler. BUT, before we go on to that, I suggest that before you even begin searching for a diamond merchant, have a clear idea of what your significant other likes as well as how much you plan on spending (aka a budget). Once you tackle these ideas, then move on to looking for a merchant. WHERE TO FIND A JEWELER First off, some people are fortunate to have a family jeweler that they know and trust. This could be someone unrelated to you that your family has used for years, or even an actual family member, but if you aren’t so lucky as to have an Aunt Sallie who can make up that perfect ring at a fair cost, you can always ask your friends who have recently gone through the process for their recommendation or list of “must stay away” jewelers. And if that isn’t the route you want to go, or you want to double check on your friend’s suggestion, you can always get a referral from The Gemological Institute of America (800-421-7250), the American Gem Society (either call 800-341-6214 or visit www.ags.org) or Jewelers of America (either call 800-223-0673 or visit www.jewelers.org). Each of these organizations has a certain code of ethics that they expect their members to abide by, which may them a pretty safe bet. WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR JEWELER If the jeweler is a good one, they will take the time to explain the basics of diamond buying (like the 4 C’s). If I were you, I would look this information up first though. I think the more information you know beforehand, the better off you will be. You can find the 4C’s information in many different places. One of my friends found 4C’s information on videotape. I am a bit of an internet junkie, so I will always suggest looking there. You can also look it up at www.bridalguide.com or a variety of other website. The jeweler will also be both knowledgeable AND patient. You should receive a lot of personal attention and they should be willing to take the time to answer all your questions, but not put on a lot of pressure! If they are trying to sell you too hard, then my advice is, get out! I do realize that sometimes you may have your heart set on something you can only get in a certain store, like an antique ring, but please try and take your time making the decision to buy. WHAT’S THE KEY? Out of every concern you may have, quality is the most important. I assume you are working on a budget; heck, most of us are, but I wouldn’t let a budget scare you away and push you toward a less-than-ideal ring. A really good jeweler can work with you and help you find a ring that is not only in your budget, but a ring that you will actually be happy with, and not in hock for the rest of your life. My advice is, if you have any doubts about whether you are getting what you are paying for, you may want to move on. That place and jeweler may not be right for you. If you want a guarantee of sorts, you may want to choose a big-name or brand name place to buy your ring. This will be more expensive, but you will get what they claim. Also, it is good to shop by diamond brand-name, like Lazare. Make sure whatever piece you buy is stamped with a mark that indicates the purity of the metal. Gold is anywhere between 10K and 24K. Platinum is marked with PT, PLAT, PT950 and IRIDPLAT. A top quality diamond will have a grading report or a certificate from a Gem lab (like GIA, AGS, etc.) EXTRA TIDBITS White gold is less expensive than platinum, but has a similar look. My ring is white gold, but a few appraisers looked at it and couldn’t tell if it was white gold or platinum. Getting a diamond that is well cut with above average color and clarity is a better choice than a larger diamond of lower quality. The shine and overall look is better. Trust your eye. After looking at diamonds, you will start to be able to notice which ones sparkle better. If you can’t tell because the store has those blazing spotlights going, see if you can look at the diamond in other light, like fluorescents. This is how jewelers generally look at them, and so should you. My fiancé took my diamond outside; don’t ask me how he managed that one, but seeing it in that different light helped to sell him on this particular diamond. Be aware when picking a diamond that is already mounted. Mounting can hide flaws and make the diamond look brighter than it really is. Sometimes diamonds are filled with substances to hide their cracks. Please ask questions, because who knows what colors this stuff may turn in the future. Size does not always matter. If you buy what you consider to be a smaller diamond, ask your jeweler about a setting that will show it off well. I have seen many rings with smaller diamonds, but beautifully set, that look better than a ring with a larger diamond in a mediocre setting. Get a guarantee from the seller IN WRITING and feel free to get the stone analyzed by GIA (Gemological Institute of America). BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE STORE Make sure you get a receipt with your ring’s detailed fingerprint description. Information that affects the rings value should be listed, like the diamond’s cut and dimensions, etc. ONCE YOU LEAVE THE STORE Get your ring appraised and get insurance. Keep all of your documents in a safe place, like a fireproof box. Happy shopping! I hope this helps. Thanks for reading/rating. Heidi  |
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