One doesn't have to be intimidated when buying a diamond, even when the buy is emotionally and financially substantial. We have supplied four basic ways to give you a diamond-purchase experience that is as pleasurable and special as the item you obtained.

1. Pick out your jeweler the way you would a doctor, lawyer or any other professional, one that is skilled and competent. Among the credentials of an suitable jeweler is a training from Accredited Jewelry Professional (A.J.P.) or GIA Graduate Gemologist (G.G.) and a business network with groups and professionals of the jewelry market such as American Gem Society (AGS) and American Gem Trade Association (AGTA). A trusted and competent jeweler will provide you with explanations of the importance of the 4Cs of diamond quality as well as the comparison of several products within your budget.

2. Get a good grasp of the 4Cs of the diamond quality, it determines the worth and cost of the diamond.

Carat

The weight of the diamonds is measured in carats, each carat is about 2. grams, just like a paper clip. If a dollar has 100 cents so a carat has 100 points; thus, a .50-carat diamond has 50 points. However, it doesn't mean that two diamonds of same weight are of the same value; it would largely vary depending on their color, clarity and cut. Sometimes people think that a greater diamond is more expensive because weight can be deceiving.

Clarity

Unique marks called inclusions (internal) and blemishes (external) are observed in most diamonds because they have been crafted from deep down the earth. Diamonds without these imperfections are unusual and consequently, has a higher purchasing value. The clarity grade, as given by the GIA Diamond System, runs from (F) Flawless to (I3) Included.

Color

Most diamonds are nearly colorless with yellow and brown shades; and the rarest and the most valuable are the colorless stones. To represent colors, GIA Diamond Grading System uses letters from D (colorless) and ending in Z (light yellow or brown). The color differences are usually very subtle and cannot be easily detected by the untrained eye, but the little difference in color can greatly affect the price.

Cut

Diamond has many diverse shapes like hearts, pears, round brilliants and marquises, but the term cut relates to proportion and arrangement of facets. With the use of light to establish glitter, brilliance and sparkle, the utter beauty of the diamond depends on its cut more than anything else. GIA values the diamond's cut and labels them from Excellent to Poor. For standard round brilliant ones, GIA provides cut quality grade from D to Z.

3. Diamond reports are necessary. A grading report from an accredited independent gemological laboratory such as GIA will confirm the quality, value and authenticity of the diamond; hence you should persist to have it. The most extensively used reports in the jewelry industry are those of GIA Diamond Grading Reports; they offer grading services and reports straight to the public. GIA won't work on mounted diamonds, it is best that a coordination be made with your jeweler so that diamonds will be shown to the lab properly.

4. Security of your purchase is essential. Just before you give the gems as a surprise to your loved one, be certain to have it evaluated and insured. To precisely assess the quality and value of the stones, insurers and appraisers count on the diamond grading and identification reports.

The diamond unique Diamond Grading Report number can be laser-inscribed by the GIA Laboratory; this will make verification available just in case the stone gets lost or stolen. Personal inscriptions may also be done, if the owner prefers. You may contact GIA for this program, or ask help from your jeweler.