A Helpful Guide to Buying Diamond Jewelry

It goes without saying that a well-crafted item of diamond jewelry can be an exquisitely beautiful accessory or gift. 

For some people who are setting out to buy such an item for a partner or a loved one, the anxiety that comes with selecting the perfect piece can be equally exquisite!

Whether buying a piece of diamond jewelry for yourself or for a loved one, here is a helpful guide to make that jewelry choice both a wise and a memorable one.

Choosing a set piece or a custom design?

Perhaps one of the first decisions to make when buying diamond jewelry is whether to invest in a set or ready-made piece or to take the path of commissioning a custom-made piece. 

This decision is largely individual – some people may see a piece and simply fall in love with it, while others may have an idea for a unique work in mind.

Whatever the choice, there is one common recommendation – seek out a reputable jeweler, and preferably one who specializes in diamonds. A good example is a specialist house like Culet Jewellery who will design custom-made diamond rings in Sydney, Australia.

When deciding upon a custom design, it may be possible to source the diamond(s) from a specialist supplier and have the design crafted by another jeweler. Typically, a store that specializes in bespoke designs has the knowledge and capability to do both. 

Get a diamond grading report

A natural diamond, as opposed to a synthetic diamond, will typically come with a diamond grading report. As each diamond is unique, the individual report details the specific characteristics of an unmounted diamond. Essentially the 4C’s of this quality assessment are cut, color, clarity, and carat weight.

Although they may appear similar to the naked eye, no two diamonds are exactly the same and these aspects, together with any small flaws, go towards contributing to a diamond’s unique character.

File this report away for future reference as it will assist with valuations. Remember that as a precious gem, a piece of diamond jewelry can be considered an investment as well as a beautiful accessory piece.

Know the difference between natural and lab-grown diamonds

Diamonds will either be natural or lab-grown. Essentially a natural diamond is just that – a gem that is found naturally occurring in the earth. Natural diamonds are becoming rarer with each passing year, as the underground pipes in which they occur are becoming increasingly harder to find. This may make the natural diamond a preferred choice for the buyer.

A lab-grown diamond has all the look, feel, and beauty of a natural diamond but is ‘manufactured' in a laboratory. There can be factors like lower re-sale values associated with these manufactured gems; however, this may not matter to many buyers

It is virtually impossible to tell the difference between a natural and a lab-produced diamond. A reputable specialist firm will know the difference and will typically use responsibly sourced natural diamonds in their pieces.

Shine on

With a little foreknowledge and forethought, the selection or design of a memorable and exquisite piece of diamond jewelry can be both an exciting and rewarding experience.