Top Twelve Diamond Buying Tips

1. First determine your budget for your diamond.

2. Decide what is important to you: diamond clarity, diamond color, diamond cut or diamond carat weight.

3. Make sure to ask whether or not the diamond in question has been clarity enhanced , laser drilled or treated in anyway to improve its clarity or color.

4. Ask the salesman what the make or cut of the diamond is graded: ideal, excellent, good?

5. Make sure the jeweler provides you with an exact weight of the diamond and not the spread.

6. Make sure the jeweler you’re purchasing your diamond from has a return policy.

7. Make sure the jeweler is going to put the specifications of the diamond on an appraisal for your insurance purposes.

8. When purchasing a diamond from the internet it is important to request a copy of the GIA(Gemological Institute of America),  EGL(European Gemological Laboratory, or AGS(American Gem Society) certification be faxed or e-mailed to you for your approval before purchasing the diamond.  Many people confuse this with an appraisal, they are not the same. 

9. When purchasing a diamond be sure to ask if the diamond has flourescence or not, in most cases you do not want flourescence in your diamond.

10. Consider the lucky ladies finger size, for example if she has a slender finger she may look perfect with a 1.0ct diamond compared with wearing a 2.0ct diamond simply because it may look too big for her finger.

11. Make sure the engagement ring setting you're purchasing will be able to fit the diamond you're purchasing.

12. When purchasing a diamond make sure the diamond comes with a certificate from one of the reputable independent grading laboratories, either GIA, AGS, or EGL.  Don't accept diamond certificates that sound like GIA, AGS, or EGL but aren't actually from the Gemological Institute of America, American Gem Society, or European Gemological Laboratory.