Jewelry as Gifts

Buying a diamond ring or any type of jewelry with diamonds is a very exciting experience and one where you should enjoy the whole ride from start to finish. There are many places that sell diamond pieces, but if you want the best deals and a huge variety of options, then you cannot pass up a diamond dealer. However, before you go, there are a few terms and phrases that you should know about so that you already have a bit of a headstart on the average Joe. Here are three of the most important things you need to know about when buying diamonds from a diamond dealer. 

The Four C's

Any time you buy diamonds, the main way you will hear it described is through the use of the four C's. These C's are clarity, cut, color, and carat. Each refers to a different feature in your diamond. Three of them, color, clarity, and cut, are quite self-explanatory, and carat simply refers to the weight of the diamond (not the size).

The two most important features for those on a budget would have to be cut and carat, as the difference between good and great in the color and clarity definitions is very minuscule and costs tens of thousands of dollars. A well-cut diamond that is on the heavier side but has extremely minor imperfections (invisible to the naked eye) can be found for a very good price, but that is totally up to you. 

Lab Diamonds

Most diamond dealers these days don't just sell regular diamonds, but they also have started offering lab-grown diamonds. These diamonds are virtually identical to their naturally-formed counterparts but come at a greatly reduced cost. While some always prefer the real thing, for most people, a lab-grown diamond is a great option. Not only does your money go further with a lab diamond, but you also can get it customized far easier, and if you don't see what you like, you can get it made.

Conflict-Free

Conflict-free diamonds are a topic of debate that has existed for a couple of decades now, but it is still very important that the stones you end up buying adhere to certain international laws regarding their origin. The good news is that virtually all diamond dealers do adhere to these strict guidelines, so if you do want to buy a real diamond, you can have full confidence it wasn't at the expense of anyone else's health. It is just good to know the phrase "conflict-free" because you will likely see it on a lot of documentation and certificates about your diamond's origins, but that is a very good thing!

Contact a local diamond jeweler to learn more.