Diamond Buying Guide

 Buying A Diamond Guide 

Buying a diamond is one of the most difficult of all commodities purchased today due to one simple fact, what you cannot see makes the diamond more expensive. With all other commodities, sight is a great rationalizer; because I can see the difference then I can justify whether or not I need it.

In grading diamonds, we grade its characteristics by the four C’s (Clarity, Color, Carat weight, and Cut). The price of a diamond is based on its rarity. A rare 1.0 carat round brilliant cut diamond of D (colorless) color and Flawless in clarity cut within ideal parameters wholesales for $23,500.00 per carat. On the other hand, a 1.0 carat round brilliant cut diamond of M (yellow) color and I3 (Imperfect 3rd degree) cut outside ideal parameters wholesales for $1,000.00 per carat.

If price is of no object, then of course you would choose the rarest and feel good about paying that much for the diamond. Most of us can’t justify spending that much on a diamond so we start looking at what we are willing to sacrifice and still have a desirable diamond. You can accomplish this by moving up or down the scale on three out of the four C’s (Carat weight, Clarity, Color). The forth C (Cut) is already cut and what you see is what you get. Of all the C’s, the cut is what I personally believe is the only C I would not sacrifice on.