Buying your first diamond? Here’s what you must know!

For those who didn’t know, diamond is not the hardest natural substance as of today. It lost the title to boron nitride and lonsdaleite a while back. Nevertheless, nothing beats the shine and beauty of diamonds, and as far as investment goes, this is a terrific addition and gift. Buying diamonds is another story though, and as a new buyer, you may have your confusions and doubts. Below are the things that need your attention.

Start with the 4Cs

If you talk to any renowned international diamond importer, they will tell you that 4 Cs matter the most when it comes to buying these precious stones – cut, clarity, color and carat. Below is a quick brief on each.

Diamonds can have blemishes and inclusions, which determine its clarity. While these imperfections are often not visible to the naked eye, the price is affected. A diamond that doesn’t have any blemishes or inclusions is marked as FL or Flawless, check at 10-fold magnification.
Colorless diamonds are valued the most, with grading starting from D to Z. A diamond that’s ranked Z will probably have a yellow tint. Diamonds with grading D are costliest of all, depending on other relevant factors.
Contrary to what many know, carat is not a measurement of the size of the diamond but refers to its weight. Carats for diamonds are measured in 200 mg units. Buyers often skim on clarity and other aspects to get a bigger rock.
Often considered to be the most vital C of all, the cut largely determines its shine and brilliance. Basically, a well-cut diamond is capable of reflecting light in the most stunning way, and thereby, adding to the sparkle.

The 5^th C

In case of diamonds, experts recommend checking for the 5^th C, which is certification. Diamonds are certified by several known and independent organizations, like Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and International Gemological Institute (IGI). A GIA certificate tells you all that must be known about the gemstone before you actually take a call.

Set your budget

In all fairness, diamonds are expensive, and with so many choices, it is often hard to buy the right one. No matter whether you are buying jewelry or loose diamonds, you should set a budget in advance. Also, find a dealer or seller you can rely on and insist on getting a certificate.

Get your first diamond now!