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Guide to Buying Your Diamonds
With DiamondJourney.com there is no hurry or pressure to buy.
At your convenience and your own pace, take your time to find the diamond jewelry that is right for you and speaks to your own sense of style.
Finding the piece of diamond jewelry that’s just right for you is a thrilling experience unlike anything you will ever do. As with any significant purchase, you should make a well-informed decision.
The most common question everyone asks when they buy anything, but most, in particular, jewelry is “did I get a good deal?”
That is a difficult question to answer, but involves a myriad of factors that include:
- Materials-metal type and amount, quality and amount of diamonds
- Design- is it an original or is it a generic that can be found anywhere
- Manufacturing-is it machine made or hand made
It also involves things like exclusivity, pride of ownership, and the like.
It’s like asking, “what does a cup of coffee cost?” Today, you can spend anywhere from 5 cents to five dollars for the same ingredients, but the “cost” is relative to the experience and the enjoyment you obtain.
People fly on the same airplane to the same destination in coach and first class with fares and services that are as varied as the people on the plane.
That said, you can be assured that every piece of diamond jewelry sold on DiamondJourney.com has been designed exclusively by us. You won’t see the same thing at mass merchandisers or the chain stores.
We start with the finest materials in order to produce jewelry that people can wear and enjoy for a lifetime.
Diamonds are produced and sourced by one of the largest DTC diamantaires in the world, and don’t pass through a myriad of hands adding unnecessarily to the cost.
We use only 14 and 18 karat plumb gold and platinum. All of our jewelry is produced in the most modern factories using the latest technology to enable them to produce the finest jewelry possible.
Our DiamondJourney.com jewelers are the best in your community. They have the selection, the expertise, the knowledge, and, most importantly, the people to take care of your every need.
So, back to your question…the answer is if you have purchased your diamond jewelry from a reputable, reliable source, you get a lot of compliments, and you really enjoy it, you got a good deal!
The four C’s are commonly used to assess the rarity of diamonds. Diamonds with the highest ratings are the rarest, and, thus, the most expensive.
Light is the element that interacts with a diamond and its interplay is, in reality, what gives a diamond its unique beauty. Contrary to what many people believe, spending more for a rarer diamond doesn’t necessarily make it more beautiful.
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Diamonds range, most commonly, from pure ice white to varying shades of yellow or brown. They are most commonly referred to a scale developed by the Gemological Institute of America that goes from ‘D’ to ‘Z’.
The differences are subtle even to the trained eye, and the average person would find it extremely difficult to distinguish the difference from E to F, or G to H color. The diamond color is normally determined in controlled lighting conditions and by comparing it to a set of master stones.
You should try to buy jewelry with a minimum of H color as these diamonds will appear white to the eye when mounted. Most importantly, if your jewelry contains more than one diamond, they should be well matched to give the best overall appearance.
Diamonds are also available in a variety of fancy colors that include pink, blue, green, yellow, green, and, very rarely, red. Diamonds in these colors are rare, and the more intense the color, the more intense the price.
Some famous colored diamonds are the Hope which is blue, the Black Orloff, and the Dresden Green. |
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The relative ‘PURITY’ of a diamond is another factor that determines its ‘RARITY’, and, thus, its cost or value. The more ‘PURE’ a diamond is, the more rare it is.
The industry standard for ‘CLARITY’ is what an ‘EXPERT’ can see internally in a diamond with a 10X loupe. A diamond that is considered ‘FLAWLESS’ is one, in which, and expert cannot see any imperfection.
Most commonly, diamonds found in bridal jewelry are more pure than what is found in diamond fashion jewelry.
Inclusions are sometimes referred to as “nature’s fingerprints”, and are usually not visible to the naked eye. These are natural characteristics of a diamond such as minerals or fractures that appeared while diamonds were being formed in the earth. They often look like crystals, clouds or feathers.
At the point that inclusions are readily visible to the naked eye, they hamper the amount of light that is returned to the eye, and, thus, a diamond’s beauty.
The position, size, and condition of inclusions all affect a diamond’s rating, and, ultimately, its value.
Interestingly, it is more common to find diamonds that are ‘FLAWLESS’ that have some color, and, so, ‘COLORLESS’ diamonds that are also ‘FLAWLESS’ are exceedingly rare. |
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Carat is often thought of as size when it actually is a measure of weight. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams. Diamonds are most commonly referred to in ‘POINTS’. 100 points equals one carat. For example, 75 points equals ¾ of a carat.
The larger the diamond, the more rare and more expensive the diamond.
Statistically, less than 1% of all the women in the world will ever own a diamond of one carat or more.
The term ‘carat’ is a derivative of the word carob. Carob seeds are surprisingly similar in weight to one another; thus they were used in ancient times as the standard of weight to measure diamonds, as well as other precious stones. One carob seed equaled the weight of a one carat diamond.
Many people confuse the terms ‘CARAT” and ‘KARAT’. Carat refers to a measure of weight, while the term karat refers to the measure of purity of gold. As an example, a two carat diamond might be set in a mounting made of fourteen karat gold. |
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Cut refers to the angles and proportions an artisan creates in transforming a rough diamond into a polished diamond. Based on experience and observation, these craftsmen can manipulate the polished facet surfaces to reflect the majority of light from one facet to another back through the upper surface of a diamond, rather than have it ‘leak’ out the bottom of the diamond.
This gives the diamond ‘Fire’, ‘Brilliance’ and ‘Scintillation, which, ultimately determines a diamond’s ‘BEAUTY’.
‘CUT’ is the only one of the 4C’s that man has any affect on. The rest (color, cut and carat weight) are determined as diamonds were formed in the earth.
Diamond cutting requires lengthy training, skill, and patience. The cutter must polish small facets onto the surface of the diamond in very specific patterns. As this process unfolds, the girdle, crown, culet, table, and pavilion of the diamond are formed.
The facets, when arranged with precision, unleash the incredible, unique beauty of a diamond. Typically, over 50% of the original weight of the diamond is lost before the diamond is finished.
Cut can also refer to the shape of the diamond. Round, marquise, pear, oval, heart, emerald, princess are the most common.
Since a round diamond is the most symmetrical of all the diamond shapes, it can reflect more light, and is, thus, the most brilliant of all shapes. It accounts for more than 50% of all diamonds cut and sold.
The other shapes, also known as “fancy shapes”, are selected more for the appeal of their shape, more than their overall brilliance. |
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Confidence is sometimes referred to as the 5th C, and you can have total confidence and peace of mind when you purchase from DiamondJourney.com and your DiamondJourney.com preferred jeweler. |
- 30 Day Money Back Guarantee-buy with confidence knowing that if you are not completely satisfied, you can return it for a full refund. Click for details on the Warranty at DiamondJourney.com.
- Limited Lifetime Warranty-know that your DiamondJourney.com purchase is covered by a limited lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects as long as you own it.
- Free First Year Insurance- is included with your DiamondJourney.com purchase over $500 that covers loss, theft, and damage.
- DiamondJourney.com is backed by a company in the diamond business for over 50 years.
- Your DiamondJourney.com preferred jeweler is a valuable resource for service, and information, and is a trusted professional in your community.
- The jewelry you purchase from DiamondJourney.com should give you a lifetime of satisfaction if you have it serviced and inspected at least quarterly by your preferred jeweler. They should provide this service for you at no charge, exclusive of any additional work that may need to be done.
- In addition to the jewelry featured at DiamondJourney.com, your preferred jeweler has a fabulous selection of other jewelry for every occasion and need.
- Most of our DiamondJourney.com preferred jewelers can do onsite repairs and custom design.
- Every diamond we sell is sourced from Diamond Trading Company rough diamonds in compliance with the UN’s Kimberly Policy.
- DiamondJourney.com jewelry is produced under the strictest environmental and labor policy guidelines.
Diamonds are a woman’s best friends! So, why not buy something for yourself. A rather novel idea…a woman buying her own diamond jewelry. Your diamond jewelry wardrobe will speak with subtle confidence-and demand the attention of all those around you. Since diamonds are the ultimate indulgence, you will be forgiven for affording yourself your heart’s desires.
With so many designs available, how can you be sure you’ll select the one you will always love? First, be assured that if for any reason you don’t fall in love with your DiamondJourney.com purchase, you can return it for a full refund. Second, you can always visit your DiamondJourney.com preferred jeweler to try on as many as you like. Their trained professionals can guide you, and help you make the right decision.
Diamonds are the ultimate expression of love, and there is no other gift in the world that equals them. Unparalled in beauty and mystery, there is nothing that rivals diamonds in telling that special someone how much they mean to you.
Diamonds are top of mind with every woman. Diamonds are hot. Celebrities are wearing them. Magazines are featuring them. She’ll never forget a gift of diamonds.
But which style is right for her? From classic to chic, whatever her personality, there’s a style to match it.
If you are not sure, here are some tips to help you surprise her with the right one. Picking the right diamond jewelry is more important than knowing her ring size.
- Take note when she looks at other people’s jewelry.
- Take a look at the magazines she reads.
- Ask her friends or family for input.
- Pay attention to the jewelry that she wears.
- Notice what color metal she prefers-white, yellow, pink, or some combinations.
- Take her shopping in a DiamondJourney.com preferred jeweler.
Also, relax! If she decides that she prefers another style, you always have 30 days to return it for full credit.
A good way to finding the right jeweler is to ask family and friends for recommendations. The right jeweler for you will be as mindful of your needs as your desires.
Most of the DiamondJourney.com preferred jewelers have been in business for many year, and are tops in their communities. Very often they have jewelers on the premises who can do repairs and custom work.
Membership in organizations like Jewelers of America, The American Gem Society, Independent Jewelers’ Organization among others are sometimes an indication of continuing education. Often, certain professional and educational standards must be maintained for continuing membership.
Diamonds are the hardest natural substance known to man, but they can be damaged and one diamond can scratch another. So, diamonds should never be stored in one container without proper separation such as tissue or small plastic bags.
You should also avoid wearing your diamond jewelry while doing strenuous work. The hard edges and points are subject to chipping, and metal settings may be loosened to the point that you may lose a diamond. This is the very reason that we suggest you visit your DiamondJourney.com preferred jeweler every three months or so to have your diamond jewelry inspected and cleaned.
To keep your diamonds sparkling, it is important to have them cleaned regularly. Things like hand soap, hand cream, and hair spray will stick to a diamond and can cause them to appear dull. To follow are some tried and true methods.
Most professional jewelers will perform this service at no charge, and it is normal procedure to check your setting to make sure that there is not abnormal wear, and that your diamonds are all secure in the settings.
Soak your jewellery in a small bowl of warm, sudsy water made with any mild liquid detergent such as Ivory. Gently brush your diamond jewelry with a soft toothbrush, while it is in the solution. Then, rinse each piece under warm running water. Dry with a soft cloth. CAUTION: Always make sure to have the plug in the sink.
Place your jewelry in a half-and-half solution of ammonia and cold water for thirty minutes or so. Lift out and gently brush with a toothbrush or similar. Rinse in the solution again. Rinse in tap water and then dry with a soft cloth.
Many jewelers sell a professional cleaning solution that do a very good job with a minimal effort. Typically, they will be a combination of detergent and a small percentage of ammonia, but do not try to mix this yourself.
Your peace of mind can be as important as the jewelry itself. If you own valuable pieces of diamond jewelry, like your diamond engagement ring, you may want to consider insuring them for added protection.
To understand how to insure your diamond, talk to your insurance agent about adding jewelry to your existing household policy. Many insurance companies allow you to itemize your jewelry within your policy with the addition of a special “rider”. Be sure to read the fine print, as some policies limit the value for jewelry without special coverage.
As a special consideration for DiamondJourney.com customers, one year coverage is available at no additional charge for one year on all of your DiamondJourney.com purchases over $500.
The Certificate of Authenticity is our guarantee of quality, certifying that your diamond is a genuine, certified diamond of authentic value and quality, manufactured exclusively by Diamond Journey, LLC. and backed by our warranty. Click here to read a sample of the DiamondJourney.com Certificate of Authenticity you will receive with each order you place. |
