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The principal that governs any purchase, such as buying real estate, a car or a computer, applies equally to diamonds and it is simply this: you want the best value for money possible, the same as you want the best home for your budget that is feasible. Right?
Now most of us know something about cars. And we understand the basics, the essential market forces that govern the value of real estate. And if we move to a new city, and have to purchase a new home, we understand how to evaluate, how to assess what is good value for our money. Even what we can afford to spend on a new home, our housing budget, is set by our lender so that our repayments take no more than 30% of our income each month. We then try and get as much value for our housing budget--- as many Sq. Feet, as much yard space, in as nice an area --- as we possibly can. |
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Buying a diamond is no different, except most of know very little about diamonds. Or what is wise to spend on this symbol of our eternal and priceless love for another. Especially when the symbol is full of the mystery and allure that is a diamond.
Well, we can’t remove the allure of diamonds, but we can remove some of the mystery that surrounds pricing. We’ll tell you how to establish your budget and how to make sure you are getting value for money.
Diamond Certification
Certified diamonds have been examined by independent experts and had their quality evaluated and graded for color, clarity and cut. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA), and the European Gemological Institute (EGL) are two of the main institutions that perform this work. We at DiamondDoctor.com use GIA exclusively and this is why.
We use GIA exclusively, because it is the Gold Standard in the diamond industry. Yes, they are more conservative. Often by quite a large margin, and that’s because they are a totally independent, non-profit laboratory staffed by 900 of the world’s leading diamond graders, scientists and educators, all with a mission to “ensure the public trust in gems and jewelry.”
The GIA is the creator of the famous 4C’s of diamond value (color, clarity, cut and carat weight) and the birthplace of the International Diamond Grading System, now used as the industry standard. The GIA have graded all of the world’s renowned stones including: The Hope Diamond (45.52 carats), the Taylor-Burton Diamond (69.42), the Alnatt (101.29 carats), the De Beers Millennium Star (203.85 carats), the Centenary Diamond (273.85 carats) and the Incomparable Diamond (407.78 carats)
The GIA is also where the White House and the Congress go for definitive answers. It is where the textbooks on diamonds are written.
The EGL on the other hand is partly funded by the European jewelry industry and in our opinion, is not as professional, reliable or accurate as the GIA. Even though the EGL consistently gives higher grades for the same stones and would therefore make our sales price here at Diamond Doctor.com seem more attractive, we are more interested in providing you the equivalent of a Supreme Court ruling on your purchase.
And that is what GIA Certification or Grading Certificate is---the industry’s most respected analysis of your stone.
Diamond Appraisals
A diamond expert uses this Certification to give you a market price for your stone. Because the GIA Certificate defines the gem with such scientific precision, appraisals from recognized jewelers and gemologists will be remarkably similar and reflect current market forces.
See our diamond buying guide for a complete understanding of diamond value. |
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