The so called "loup" which is a hand held magnifier is only of 10X magnification and most customers will not pick out the flaws in diamonds of SI1 clarity and better. Every reputable jeweler should have a 30 power microscope. 1. You must shop around. No one store has every diamond for every person. Besides, different stores specialize in different shapes, sizes and qualities, so you must find a retailer that caters to your needs.
2. COMPARE "apples with apples," i.e., GIA certified diamonds from one store with GIA certified diamonds of other stores. Comparing GIA certificates with other certificates (even very recognized ones such as EGL) is considered comparing "apples with lemons."
3. Ask to see original (not xeroxed copies) certificates. This is especially important when you are considering high quality diamonds. The small imperfections or flaws depicted on the diagram of a GIA certificate (imperfections and flaws are marked in red ink) often do not show up on xeroxed copies. If the jewelers own the diamonds you are considering, they should always show you the original certificates. You are important. Ask to see only the originals.
4. Ask to inspect diamonds under a 30X microscope. The so called "loup" which is a hand held magnifier is only of 10X magnification and most customers will not pick out the flaws in diamonds of SI1 clarity and better. Every reputable jeweler should have a 30 power microscope.
5. Verify that the diamond you choose to purchase matches with the GIA certificate. The sales person MUST convince you that they do indeed match. How ? Weigh the diamond, look under the 30 magnification microscope, and measure the dimensions of the diamond in millimeters as shown in the certificate. Once the diamond is verified, have the diamond set while you are watching (this is the only 100% way you know you are getting the same diamond).
6. Ask to see several stones of similar sizes and qualities so that you can distinguish the subtle differences between each. Every diamond will look beautiful if you look at just one. You want the most beautiful of the beautiful, the best of the best.
? 1. Don't buy a diamond the first time you visit a store. Don't let a salesperson SELL you one. Instead, you want to PURCHASE one on your terms. After seeing what the store has to offer, walk out of the store and think. The diamond will wait for you (it has already waited for some 3-4 billion years).
2. Don't purchase any diamond that you can not verify. This means staying away from diamond rings where the center diamond is already set. In cases like these, you have no way of accurately knowing what size, color, or clarity the diamond is.
3. Don't be fooled by advertisements of "55% off" sales, "dealer prices", or "wholesale prices". GIA certified diamonds are extremely easy to compare prices from store to store.
4. Don't buy any diamond that you did not see. This means don't put any deposit on any diamond unless you actually saw the diamond and its matching certificate. As an example, if you gave XYZ jeweler a deposit of $1000 to purchase a GIA certified 1.00 Ct. G color, VS1 clarity diamond for XXXX dollars, what diamond will he deliver? He will most likely get you the cheapest one among dozens that are GIA certified, 1.00 Ct., G color, and VS1 clarity diamonds that are available. If the jeweler wants to sell you a diamond, he will have diamonds available to show you. DEPOSITS SHOULD BE MADE ONLY AFTER YOU ACTUALLY SEE THE DIAMOND.
5. Don't trust your eyes only. Just because you do not see flaws or imperfections, it does not mean that the diamond is flawless. Some jewelers will show diamonds under a 10X loup or 30X microscope and say, "I don't see any flaws. Do you ?". Because most customers lack experience using a loup or microscope, many important flaws are not detected. Don't trust your eyes. Trust the GIA certificate. It shows EVERYTHING-- even flaws that the best trained diamond jewelers cannot see.
6. Don't buy a diamond without a GIA certificate, even if the jeweler guarantees that the diamond will be certificated by GIA as stated. If the diamond is good enough to be certified, it would already have a GIA certificate. Some diamonds graded SI2 by GIA certificates appear FLAWLESS even under 30X magnification because they happen to be slightly milky which most customers can not tell. Remember, it only costs $98 for a one carat diamond to be GIA certified.
7. Don't make the mistake of buying the wrong diamond at the wrong price at the wrong place. If you make a mistake, remember, she will be wearing your mistake for the rest of her life... and you will hear about it for the rest of your life. Purchasing a diamond should be a wonderful experience. Be smart and start off on the right direction to happiness.
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