How to Buy Diamonds - What You Need to Know

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Buying a diamond might seem complicated but here are tips that make buying a diamond online easy. Some find it easier to buy diamonds today with web sites like Novori Jewelry providing easy to use diamond search tools and low prices. You should understand what to look for when you want to buy diamonds online. Sure there are the 4 C's but which one of the 4 C's is the important ones? And even with the 4 C's you need to be able to afford the diamond. This guide will give you the information you need to buy diamonds online with confidence.

The 4 C's - Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carats

There are many factors to consider when you buy diamonds, but jewelers everywhere use the 4 C's (Cut, Color, Clarity, Carats) as a way of describing the value of a diamond. If you want to learn how to buy diamonds, you need to learn exactly what the 4 C's are, and how each aspect contributes to the value of the diamond. So here is what you need to know:

Step 1: Determine Your Diamond Budget

You know what you are able to spend so that is your starting point to buy diamonds. Determine a budget that you are able to afford. The size and quality of the diamond you choose is greatly determined by the budget. Not to worry, a beautiful diamond can be bought if the right features are selected. You will notice when you buy diamonds at Novori that there are thousands of affordable diamonds in any budget range. We price our diamonds for absolute value and guarantee the lowest diamond price. We can help you find a diamond you can afford.

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Step 2: Select the Diamond Cut

The cut of a diamond describes how the angles the diamond are cut to best reflect light through the diamond, causing it to sparkle. The cut is what determines the Fire (sparkle and shine) of a diamond. A quality cut brings out the beauty of a diamond and makes it more valuable, while a poorly cut diamond will sell for less because it isn't as brilliant or shiny. When buying a diamond, cut and color should be the top 2 factors in your selection of a loose diamond. Unless you have budget constraints, a diamond with at least a Very Good cut will provide you lots of sparkle and shine.

Step 3: Select the Diamond Color

Step 4: Select the Diamond Clarity

The clarity of a diamond refers to how clear the diamond is when you look through it. A perfect diamond is rare; most have inclusions and flaws, although many cannot be seen without magnification. Almost every loose diamond has imperfections and they are considered as nature’s finger prints in a loose diamond. With an untrained eye you will not notice the difference in a diamond that is graded better than VS1, but you will see an increased price. If selecting a diamond smaller than .75 a clarity of a SI2 would be sufficient as these diamonds are smaller and imperfections would be difficult to spot. If you are selecting a diamond that is larger than a .75 range it is best to select a diamond with clarity between SI1 and VS1, as a clarity rating of SI2 may have noticeable carbon or feathering. In a SI1 range and better the diamond will be 100% eye clean meaning that it will not show noticeable imperfections. This will provide you the best balance between quality and value.

Step 5: Select the Diamonds Carat (weight)

Larger diamonds cost more than smaller diamonds, even if the total carats of the diamonds are the same. For example, a single one carat diamond will cost you more than three diamonds set in a ring that add up to one carat. This is because larger diamonds are much more rare to find. When diamonds are cut, they lose about half their size. When determining the carat size of a diamond, you should make sure that it is just the right size for both your loved one and your budget!

Diamond Certificates

In addition to understanding what to look for in regards to the 4 C's when learning how to buy a diamond, you should also ensure that when buying diamonds you look for an independent diamond certificate. Independent means that it has NOT been certified by a jewelry store but rather by and independent third part like GIA or EGL. All Novori diamonds are certified loose diamonds and come with certificates describing the diamond in detail. Not all laboratories grade diamonds equally. GIA has the best reputation in grading diamonds accurately and GIA graded diamonds usually have a higher price because of the accurate grading. EGL certified diamonds may not be accuratley graded but can be a very good buy as long as you are aware that EGL labs certify diamonds more generously than GIA labs. At Novori Jewelry we personally inspect the diamonds we sell and make a personal recommendation for you on what we see. Contact Novori for more details on an GIA diamond certificate vs. an EGL diamond certificate. The important thing to look for when buying diamonds is that it is independently certified.

Buying Diamonds Summary

Finding the perfect diamond may at first seem difficult but is actually easy to do. When buying diamonds, don't be intimidated by the jargon of diamonds. Determine your diamond budget, select a decent cut for sparkle, find the right color and clarity as shown above. Hopefully this has helped you and Novori Jewelry is always ready to assist you. You can chat with us online, email us or call us toll free at 1-877-877-4141.

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