Watch Out For These Engagement Ring Buying Mistakes

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There are only a few things more expensive than engagement rings that you will be purchasing in your lifetime, so it’s best to be extra careful when you buy these pieces of jewellery. Since the process of selecting diamonds is also a bit complicated, it is best to know the common mistakes that people succumb to when they buy engagement rings.

Whether you are purchasing from a traditional jeweller or from an online jeweller, it would be best to keep these in mind:

1. Cut Quality

Do not be misled by the cut. Since this grading criterion is more difficult to describe compared to colour or clarity, it is usually misrepresented or some consumers simply neglect it. For example, you may be shown a number of diamonds in different cut qualities but this does not mean that these are well cut diamonds. They may, however, be the best options available at that jeweller.

Make sure you go for deeply cut diamonds. Poorly cut diamonds are common and are less expensive per carat, while well cut diamonds are fewer and more expensive per carat. For example, a 1.00 carat diamond may appear similar to a .90 carat diamond simply because it is deeply cut.

2. Clarity and Colour Grading

Seller-stated colour or clarity grade should be within 1 grade of what was appraised, according to the Federal Trade Commission’s guidelines for jewellery retailers. Unfortunately, this means that jewellers can represent a G diamond as an F. This is why it is necessary to find a reputable jeweller that you can trust and who provides reliable products and after sales care services. You can check out https:/www.diamonds.co.nz/ and look at an extensive selection of trustworthy diamond engagement rings.

Once the diamond is set in a jewellery item, the clarity and colour is impossible to accurately judge. The flaws of a diamond are easily concealed under prongs. The colour can also be skewed by the reflections from the ring setting. This is why it is highly recommended that you purchase your diamonds loose since it can be better appraised and the consumer knows exactly what they are getting. In fact, diamond dealers, retailers or wholesalers avoid buying high value diamonds that are already set.

In addition, colour grading should be done in standardized environments by highly trained specialists of internationally accredited gemologists so do not accept a jeweller’s colour grade as a substitute. Only accept diamond colour grades that are issued by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or American Gem Society (AGS). For example, if you are eyeing a fancy intense pink item, you can check out its GIA colour grade rating to know that you are actually getting a credible fancy colour diamond.

3. GIA Certification

Before you purchase a diamond engagement ring, always ask for a copy of the Grading Report provided by the GIA or similar independent institutes. Avoid purchasing from anyone who cannot provide such certification. Plus, make sure that you are shown a GIA report and not just a certification prepared by a GIA-trained gemologist. A GIA certification means the diamond has been graded at the GIA, while the latter only means it has been graded by an employee of the jewellery store who has received GIA training. 

Another important details to be careful with when buying engagement rings is the GIA laser inscription, warranties and guarantees.  Ensure that the transactions are in writing.

It is always good to learn from other people’s mistakes so you would not repeat them. It will also help you in making a decision in picking the right ring for your woman.