Real is a diamond

Whether buying engagement rings, sentimental gifts, bridal fine jewelry or just a splurge impulse to feel good, diamonds undoubtedly is among the most luxurious purchases one can make. With changing times, the perception towards buying diamonds has changed too. The popular saying has been “A Diamond is Forever.” the new mantra in the diamond industry is, “Real is rare. Real is a Diamond.”

Considering a diamond is an expensive and significant jewelry purchase, a trust factor is crucial in completing this transaction. What are the questions one must address and how can the quality of diamonds be related to its dollar value? Our Editor guides you on how to judge the quality of a diamond and determine its value.

While the price of gold jewelry is dependent on the purity of the gold and the current gold prices, when it comes to diamond jewelry, it is the different quality elements of the diamonds that defines its price.

How do you judge the quality of a diamond?

This is where the popular 4 C’s come into the picture: Color, Cut, Clarity, and Carat. According to Blue Nile, color is the second most important characteristic of diamond quality. But can you differentiate the color with a naked eye? This is where one must select a piece of jewelry that has a certificate that clearly defines the color of the diamonds. “When a jeweler claims to sell the best quality of diamond jewelry, as a customer it is very important to understand the definition of the various elements of quality,” affirms Bobby Bansal, a GIA certified expert at Raj Jewels. “As a customer, you have to make a decision whether you would like to buy a piece of diamond jewelry that is budget friendly or invest in a piece that has a better quality. I would like to educate customers that the most premium combination in a diamond is E-F color and VVS in terms of clarity. We offer this preferred quality of diamond jewelry whether you buy diamond earrings, necklace sets, diamond rings, etc. All our diamond jewelry comes with an IGI certificate and our engagement rings and selective solitaire earrings are available with a GIA certificate”, says Bansal.

Colorless diamonds are rare—most diamonds have tints of yellow or brown. Therefore, a colorless diamond rates higher on the color grading scale than a diamond that is light yellow. Among the color chart, E-F is the most colorless and the most expensive. Raj Jewels exlusively offers jewelry that features colorless diamonds, also referred to as Dosham free in South East Asia. 

The type, size, number, position, and contrast of inclusions determine clarity; there are 11 grades in the GIA clarity grading system. They are Flawless, Internally Flawless, Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS), Very Slightly Included (VS), Slightly Included (SI), and three categories of Included. VVS is top in terms of clarity and if you are shopping around for diamond jewelry, the price points will vary based on this factor.

Guarantee of a Lifetime

People who buy expensive diamond jewelry prefer to buy from a specialty jewelry store where there is an emotional trust factor and financial payment flexibility. “We do not compete on prices when it comes to diamond jewelry but rather on quality as that is our motto. We also offer a lifetime guarantee on every piece of diamond jewelry which means we will repair or replace the jewelry if required at any point after the purchase,” states Bansal. Many people find it suitable to buy the diamond from a known on-line retailer and then choose to get it set by a local jeweler. Raj Jewels provides the same certified quality and caters customized settings requests on engagement rings. Additionally, we have a well-informed sales team who can guide on the latest design trends to complement your personal tastes.

A piece of diamond for every bride-to-be

Raj Jewels has a strong bridal clientele, of which 60% are now shifting their buying preferences to diamond jewelry. “We have a loyal customer base that trusts the quality of the certified diamond jewelry that we sell. They love the unique designs we continuously launch and the shopping starts from the bride and then moves on to the mother and the sister of the bride. They feel that diamond jewelry is one of the best investments that a family as whole can make. Our hottest sellers are diamond chokers, diamond chand bali, and GIA certified engagement rings, explains Bansal. Another style that is the talk of the season is the layered diamond necklaces, a collection that was recently worn by Bollywood legend Sharmila Tagore at an event for Raj Jewels.

When it comes to buying diamond jewelry, it is a well thought-out process, one that requires a lot of research. You must clearly know and understand the quality of diamonds in the jewelry that you are buying. Make your choice thoughtfully on this high-investment purchase.

Top 5 tips on what to look for when buying  diamond jewelry

1- Judge the authenticity of diamonds by third party certificates: Compare diamonds through certificates issued by like third-party labs such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the International Gemological Institute (IGI). These documents are often part of the sale at professional jewelers. 

2- Splurge on higher-grade diamonds: It is wiser to spend on a diamond that has higher color and clarity if you can afford it.

3- Do your research: understand the 4 Cs. Check out the guide for details. 

4- Bigger isn’t always better. Big diamonds can be ostentatious, and that may be totally fine for the receiver, but think rationally before making this choice. The real value of a diamond is based on the color and clarity followed by the carat weight.

5- Buy from a professional jeweler who provides a lifetime guarantee and extended customer service. Visit your jeweler at least once a year to have your diamond jewelry professionally cleaned and checked for loose prongs.