Shopping for, and buying an engagement diamond can range from a confusing, stressful and frustrating experience to a rewarding and exciting purchase that marks the beginning of your life together. Why can there be such a difference? And how can you avoid pain and agony? To a large extent, the difference is based on whether you are patient enough to gain the knowledge about diamonds that will allow you to make a good choice of which seller to purchase from. Here are some tips:

Avoid purchasing from the first store that you enter.
It is worth your time to visit a number of sellers. You will more than likely save money and get a better looking stone.

Ask your family and friends about their experiences with various stores.

If the two of you go into a store together then avoid making a "romantic," spur of the moment purchase.
Start your life together off on a good note. Be patient and make a purchase that will please you for a lifetime. In fact, it would be a good idea to check the background of the seller before you make a purchase as you might be surprised at the number of prior complaints from other consumers that a store has generated. Contact the following offices for information on different sellers:

Hawaii State Office of Consumer Protection
State Office Tower, 8th Floor
235 S. Beretania St.
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 587-3222

Better Business Bureau
1132 Bishop St., Suite 1507
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 536-6956

Avoid the phony 50% to 70% off sales.
Phony discounts are designed to entice buyers who jump at the "appearance" of a good deal. Be smart and avoid these phony sales.

Avoid being pressured into buying something because of a "Today Only" or "Show Special" sale.
A seller can always extend a phony deadline so do not be pressured into purchasing something under these conditions.

Be careful of buying at the local "Wholesale Trade Shows".
A lot of companies exhibit lower quality and lower priced merchandise at these shows. Beware of making a blanket assumption that just because a company is at the local wholesale trade show that you will get a great bargain. You may end up with an over-priced low quality diamond. Do your homework and learn what you can to make a good purchase. Know what you are buying rather than trusting a "wholesaler".

Be careful of sellers who present themselves as "wholesalers".
Some sellers operate under the guise of being a "wholesaler". Rather than just assume that this is true you should learn all you can and make the "wholesaler" actually prove that they are looking after your interests.

Avoid sellers that want you to pay a small deposit to "hold a stone" then have you sign a Bill of Sale or Invoice.
An invoice or bill of sale is a legal contract. By signing such a form you are legally bound to purchase the item. If you do not go through with the purchase the seller can sue you.

Buy your diamond loose and not mounted.
It is best to see and purchase your diamond loose and not in a mounting. Once a diamond is mounted it is not possible to fully verify details of the color, clarity, weight and cut proportions of the stone. For the best value and the best looking stone you should insist on being shown diamonds that are not already mounted.

Purchase a diamond with a legitimate (strict) third party grading report or certificate.
Avoid diamonds that do not have an accompanying certificate. Also avoid diamonds that only have paperwork from the seller to avoid conflict of interest. Widely used international third party diamond grading laboratories include the International Gemological Laboratory (IGI), European Gemological Laboratories (EGL), Hoge Raad Voor Diamant (HRD), Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and American Gem Society (AGS). The AGS report tends to be the most strict and has the most information about the proportions of the described diamond. This is followed by the GIA report. In our opinion the other reports should be generally avoided.

Choose the diamond shape that is right for you and choose the best looking diamond in that shape.
Diamonds come in different shapes. Along with the traditional round Brilliant Cut diamond you can choose from a variety of fancy shapes: Oval Cuts, Heart Shapes, Marquise Cuts, Pear Shapes, Emerald Cuts, Princess Cuts, Radiant Cuts, Cushion Cuts, Asscher Cuts, Royal Asscher Cuts, Lucida Cuts, Trilliant Cuts, Flanders Brilliant Cuts and a host of lesser known shapes. The shape of a diamond will affect its value and price. Whatever shape you prefer, you should be aware of the fact that some stones of that shape will look better and sparkle more than other stones. You should focus on finding the beautiful stones in the shape you desire at a fair price.

View the diamonds under different lighting conditions.
Stores have special lighting installed to make their diamonds look better. The lighting is so good and so intense that even a marginal diamond can look good. View the diamonds that you are considering away from the spot lights and under poor lighting conditions. A well proportioned stone will sparkle even under poor conditions.

Look for a seller that will teach you as much as possible about diamonds, and diamond grading, using laboratory instruments.
For most of us diamonds are a relatively unknown product. As with all other retail sectors, many stores will take advantage of a consumer's lack of knowledge. A few stores will work for your benefit by sharing product knowledge and insight into the industry. Therefore, look for sellers that will openly share their knowledge of diamonds with you to place your trust in. These sellers are more likely to use their knowledge and expertise for your benefit (see 4 C's below). Laboratory instruments to look for are:

Binocular Microscope

A binocular microscope will enable you to more clearly view of the clarity grade of a diamond. Using both eyes lets you have a fuller three-dimensional look into the stone. The better Binocular Microscopes have zoom capability and are also back lit and have a darkened back field that together allow for a clearer view of any imperfections. A microscope is user friendly and is easier to use and will let you see much more than a hand held loupe of the same power.

Diamond Lite

A Diamond Lite is an instrument that, using filtered fluorescent lights and a dull white background, creates the ideal lighting and background conditions to best view the color of diamonds. Diamonds will be placed face down so that you are more easily able to view the true body color of a diamond. It is generally used in conjunction with a Master Color Set of diamonds.

Master Color Grading Set of Comparison Stones

A Master Color set is a group of diamonds or CZ's that will, in a step-wise fashion define a range of diamond color. For example, each of the colors D through K on the Color Grading Scale would make and excellent Master Color Grading Set. By comparing a diamond with the stones of the Master Color Set the color of that diamond can be determined.

Photoscope

A Photoscope is a unique instrument that can assess light-return and light-loss from a diamond. It is a powerful tool that can help to identify which of several diamonds returns the most light.

If you consider purchasing an Ideal or Super Ideal Cut diamond then make sure that you have printed proof that the diamond meets these standards.
In order to be called "Ideal Cut" there are specific ranges that a diamond must meet for the Average Table Diameter %, Average crown Angle (in degrees), Average Girdle Thickness, Average Pavilion Depth %, Culet size, polish and Symmetry. If a stone is presented to you as an Ideal or a Super Ideal Cut then make sure that the diamond does indeed meet each and every criteria.

If you consider purchasing an Ideal or Super Ideal Cut diamond then make sure to try to view at least two of these side-by-side.
Not all Ideal Cut or Super Ideal Cut diamonds will look the same. Some Ideal cut diamonds will look better than others. A side-by-side comparison could make it evident.

If you purchase a diamond that has a laboratory report then make sure that (1) you receive at least a photocopy of the report before you walk out of the store and (2) that the name of the laboratory and the report number are both written on your invoice.
Having a copy of the diamond grading report will clearly identify the diamond you are paying for. Having the laboratory and report number written on the invoice is a legal warranty that the seller must live up to. Some sellers have falsely sold stones as "GIA certified" (or AGS, EGL, etc.) and failed to ever provide the GIA Diamond Grading Report.

Beware of diamond switching.
Have a copy of the diamond grading report of your diamond with you whenever you have to leave your diamond ring with a store for servicing. Get a written receipt from that store that cites the details of the quality of your diamond based on your report along with the Laboratory report number. When you pick up the diamond make sure to inspect it with a microscope and use the report for verification that it is the same diamond before leaving the store. This will insure that the diamond you get back is yours.

Your decision to join your lives together in love is a joyous and momentous step for both of you. Your diamond and ring are symbols of that love, joy and commitment. Take a bit of time to determine what is best for you.

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