A diamond is one of the most important purchases you will make.  We believe that an educated buyer is a happy buyer, so here are some tips for your diamond shopping experience.

• Buy From Someone You Are Comfortable With
  We recommend buying where you are comfortable, because you will likely be making trips in to the store for cleanings and maintenance.  You should be able to trust your jeweler implicitly and know that you will be taken care of.

• Make Sure That You Loupe Your Diamond Before Purchasing
  Ask the salesperson for a jeweler’s loupe to view the diamond.  A loupe is a 10 X magnifying tool that will help you to take a good close look at the diamond.  Not only do you want to be familiar with what your diamond looks like, you also want to know what you are buying.  Almost all diamonds have inclusions, or imperfections, you should make sure that you choose a diamond that has inclusions that you are comfortable with and that compliment your setting.  The quantity and location of the inclusions would be described as the Clarity of the 4 C’s.

• Buy A Certified Diamond
  We always recommend that people buy a diamond that is certified.  A certified diamond is one that has been sent out to an independent lab that uses professional diamond graders to give you the most accurate grading of your stone.  There are multiple certification houses and many debates about which is best.  The most widely accepted and recommended are EGL USA,  GIA, and IGI.  A certification from an independent source is a great protection tool for the consumer, ensuring that you are getting what you are paying for.

• If Possible, Buy Diamonds That Are Loose
  We recommend buying diamonds that are loose for the same reason we recommend a certified diamond.  It is important that you are able to see what is underneath the prongs that are holding in the diamond.

• Buy What You Love.
  The most important element of a diamond is the emotional element.  Your diamond is a lifetime investment that should be made with care.  The final decision should result in a diamond that you are proud to give, or wear.