Diamond Necklaces

How to Buy Diamonds

It’s not every day you shop for a diamond. From an engagement ring to a thoughtful gift to celebrate a special occasion, diamonds are a symbol of love and commitment, so you want to make sure you’re getting a quality stone that makes an impression, but also makes sense for your budget and style. Before you start shopping, take a minute to read through our guide on how to buy diamonds the smart way.
Engagement Rings

Choose a Quality Jeweler

A jeweler with a good reputation and access to the best diamonds on the market can help guide you towards the right diamonds for you. A good jeweler will listen to your ideas and style preferences and will provide a diamond that shines brilliantly within your budget. 

You don’t necessarily need a flawless diamond—you just need one that you love. The Master Craftsmen and Certified Diamontologists at Jared’s custom design studio can help you create a truly one-of-a-kind piece that you’ll love for years.

Jeweler using a tool to polish jewelry

Remember The 4 Cs

The 4 Cs are the standards by which all diamonds are judged. A professional jeweler can help you navigate the diamond classification system and choose a stone that balances the 4 Cs to fit your unique needs. The quality of every diamond is based on a combination of:

Chart showing different diamond cut specifications as ideal, too shallow or too deep.

Cut

Considered the most important aspect towards determining diamond quality, the cut refers to the quality of a diamond’s angles, proportions, symmetrical facets, brilliance, fire, scintillation and finishing details. These factors all impact a diamond’s overall sparkle.
Scale of diamond colors from colorless to light yellow

Color

Color is graded in terms of how white or colorless a diamond is. For a standard diamond, the ideal color is none at all.
Diamond clarity chart from very very slightly inclued (VVS2) to Included (I2)

Clarity

Evaluates how clean a diamond is from both inclusions (interior) and blemishes (exterior).
Diamond carat chart showing what 5 carat looks like versus 1/2 carat.

Carat

Refers to the weight of the diamond, not the size. For example, a 1-carat diamond weights between .95-1.11 grams. Depending on the diamond shape and cut, two 1-carat diamonds could be very different in size.

Consider Your Budget

A clear budget can help you prioritize when you’re shopping for a diamond. If price were no object, you could potentially spend upwards of $20,000 on the most flawless stone available. For most people, that isn’t necessary. You can get a beautiful diamond for much less—you just have to know what you want. Not sure how much you “should” spend on an engagement ring ? Maybe you’ve heard generic advice like you should be spending three months’ worth of your salary on an engagement ring or the bigger the diamond, the more expensive it is, but price can vary wildly based on the 4 Cs listed above and the style of jewelry you want. Narrow your search by setting your budget as early as possible and sticking to it.
How Much to Spend

Don't Rush

You don’t have to buy the first diamond you see. Instead, shop around, browse and get acquainted with your options. Diamond jewelry is meant to be an investment so why rush into it? Enjoy the process of looking for a diamond that embodies everything it symbolizes to you. That way you’ll feel confident with your purchase and be happy with your choice.

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Jared has an extensive selection of diamond jewelry for him and her.
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How to Buy Diamonds | Jared