1. THOU SHALT NOT LOSE SIGHT OF THE BIG PICTURE. While learning about diamond quality, sometimes it is easy to get distracted by one factor. Remember that a balance of all 4 factors will give you the most bang for the buck!
2. THOU SHALT NOT BUY A DIAMOND WITHOUT AN INDEPENDENT GRADING REPORT (CERTIFICATE). At ¾ carat and over, minor differences in quality make an increasing impact on price. While a certificate is not an ironclad guarantee, it is one of the most proven ways to make sure that you are getting what you pay for.
3. THOU SHALT NOT BUY A DIAMOND WITHOUT SEEING THE DIAMOND AND CERTIFICATE COMPARED SIDE-BY-SIDE. There is no substitute for being informed and knowing what you are buying. Look at the diamond under 10x magnification, and make sure that the Jeweler explains all of the factors and helps you locate the identifying inclusions. This will also prove helpful later if you need to leave your diamond with a Jeweler you don’t know—you can always identify it.
4. THOU SHALT BEWARE OF DEALS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE. There is no such thing as "below wholesale", and there are very few legitimate rock-bottom deals on diamonds. You get what you pay for, and the real costs may be more than you bargained for. By using our price database, you know what the average retail is, and that you can buy a certified diamond from a responsible Jeweler for considerably less than that. You might be able to save a few hundred dollars by going through Fast Eddy’s House of Diamonds, but is the potential mistake worth it?
5. THOU SHALT GO TO AN AMERICAN GEM SOCIETY JEWELER. Like certificates, an AGS Jeweler is not a guarantee of a good experience, but you are vastly increasing the odds. These Jewelers have to meet strict standards, and be retested every year. They tend to have a responsibility to their community, and that makes them accountable for their actions.
6. THOU SHALT NOT SUCCUMB TO HIGH-PRESSURE SALES TACTICS. Beware of "this price is only good for today" phrases. Any legitimate Jeweler will let you think over such an important purchasing decision. Their diamond and their offer should sound better after thinking things over!
7. THOU SHALT NOT FORGET ABOUT AN APPROPRIATE MOUNTING FOR THE DIAMOND. Don’t forget that a beautiful diamond deserves an equally beautiful setting. Have the Jeweler show you several options, and idazzle.com strongly recommends a mounting that is durable enough for everyday wear. Platinum prongs are an excellent idea to protect the diamond, and you should ask about checking and cleaning of your ring (it should always be NO CHARGE).
8. THOU SHALT GET AN APPRAISAL FROM THE JEWELER IN ADDITION TO THE CERTIFICATE. A certificate is a document that details the quality of the diamond, but it does not give a value. An appraisal gives the replacement cost of the diamond and the mounting. We highly recommend that you list this important purchase on a separate rider attached to your regular homeowner’s insurance policy. You will need the appraisal for the insurance company. Contact your insurance agent. The Jeweler should provide you with an appraisal at no charge.
9. THOU SHALT LOOK AT 2-3 DIAMONDS TO COMPARE AND MAKE THE BEST DECISION. Many of the quality characteristics that affect a diamond’s value are very subtle, and only by comparison will you see the nuances that will help you decide that a particular diamond is the one for you!
10. THOU SHALT HAVE FUN!!! We choose a diamond because it is beautiful and it endures…like the love you want to symbolize. Don’t forget that this is a special, emotional experience. If it starts to feel like work, or stops feeling special, it’s time to re-evaluate. idazzle.com wants this to be as memorable as possible—we hope that you agree!

If you would like to be contacted by an idazzle.com Authorized Jeweler who follows these commandments, click here. They can show you the diamond of your dreams!

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