How to Buy a Diamond

Every diamond is unique and when embarking on buying a diamond you should be ready to compare a number of them before making your decision.   Do some research beforehand and take your time when making the purchase, a good jeweller will not rush you and explain everything you need to know to ensure you make an informed decision you feel happy with.  I encourage a private consultation whenever I create a piece of jewellery for someone so I can explain what is helpful to know before buying a diamond.

Quality Diamonds: Every diamond I sell is GIA certified to guarantee that the diamond is “real” and natural.  Whenever you buy a diamond always ensure you are given a diamond grading report which will include an assessment of the 4C’s – Colour, Clarity, Cut and Carat – along with a plotted diagram of its clarity characteristics and a graphic representation of the diamond’s proportions.  Other popular certificates are HRD, IGL, EGL and AGS

Ethical Diamonds: I only use Conflict Free Diamonds and comply with the United Nations-backed Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, I also insist that my supplier provide me with written guarantees ensuring they do the same.   A diamond should bring pure pleasure to the owner or recipient and not be part of any cause of harm to innocent lives.

The 4Cs: When hand selecting diamonds, I adhere to the strict criteria of Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat.

Impartial sourcing: I do not own any of the diamonds that I recommend to my clients, I procure them, individually for each client.  On the back of what is desired, I source a selection of quality stones for the client to choose from and only stones that I would buy for myself.

Budget:  Be clear about your budget, do what feels right for you and not what you may have heard is the typical amount spent on a diamond or engagement ring.  Ensure the diamond you buy is quality, do not compromise this for size or the status of the shop you buy it from.  A good jeweller or shop will not try and take you out of your comfort zone and will respect your budget by getting the best diamond in your range.