5 Tips for Buying a Diamond

5 Tips for Buying a Diamond

1. RESEARCH AND LEARN
   As with any significant purchase, start by researching your options. Educate yourself about the 4Cs and determine which diamond qualities are most important to you. This decision, along with your budget, will help guide your diamond purchase.

 
 

2. LOOK FOR SPECIFICS
   When shopping online, make sure you know exactly what you are buying. Some sites show diamonds with a range in carat weight, color or clarity. To ensure you know the value of the stone you’re purchasing, look for specifics on its 4Cs, not a range.

 
 

3. LOOK FOR A GRADING REPORT
   Make sure the diamond comes with an independent grading report, like those provided by GIA, which provides an unbiased analysis of the diamond’s 4Cs. A diamond’s value is largely determined by quality, so an objective, third-party assessment of the 4Cs is critical.
   

 
 

4. VERIFY THE GIA REPORT WITH REPORT CHECK
   If the diamond comes with a GIA report, you can verify the report details on Report Check, GIA’s secure, online database and even print out a facsimile of the report, when available. It’s a convenient way to make sure that the online product description matches the grading results.
   
5. LOOK FOR A LASER INSCRIPTION
   For added security, find out if the diamond’s grading report number is laser-inscribed on its girdle. In some cases the diamond will be inscribed before it is offered for sale, or it can be requested at the time of purchase. In addition to the diamond’s unique GIA report number, the inscription can be a personal message or symbol for identification. The microscopic inscription is viewable under 10X magnification, using a jeweler’s loupe, and because it’s noted on the diamond’s GIA report, it will help ensure that the diamond you receive matches the report issued for it.