How to Buy a Diamond
Start by asking questions of people you trust. That is why we encourage you to call us directly so that one of the professionals at Spalding Jewelry can take the time to explain the characteristics of a diamond and how they relate to its value. Remember, it's your money and you're shopping for something that will last forever. If you don't understand, ask. If you don't feel comfortable buying from someone, don't. Buying a diamond is an important purchase, and should never be pressured.
Spalding Jewelry can also inscribe a special message, name or social security number on your diamond.
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The key is understanding how the quality of a diamond is determined, and why some diamonds are more rare and valuable than others. For starters, value depends on quality, and the quality of a diamond depends on four characteristics called the 4Cs: Carat Weight, Clarity, Color, and Cut. We've all heard of them, but what do they mean when it comes to buying a diamond, and is one "C" more important than another?
To make it simple, the larger the diamond, the rarer it is (carat weight); the purer the diamond, the more valuable it is (clarity); the less color in a diamond, the more beautiful; and the more precise the cut of the diamond, the more brilliant it is. It is the combination of these individual factors that makes up the diamond's overall quality and determines its beauty. But how can you tell?
Every diamond is unique, and the best way to appreciate the difference is by understanding the 4Cs. The Diamond Quality Pyramid has been developed to help you make sense of the 4Cs, and understand why some diamonds are more valuable than others.
The most rare diamonds, and therefore the most valuable, are those of exceptional size that were formed without any trace of color or impurity. Within each of the 4Cs, diamonds are graded according to quality or size. The pyramid illustrates the relative rarity, and thus the relative value, of each grade of diamond.