Choose The Right Bling
Getting engaged and choosing a diamond ring can be an exciting time. It's important to stay focused, however, when you're shopping for a diamond. There is a lot to keep in mind as you're making decisions.
We spoke to Udi Moritz, a diamond expert at J. Birnbach, on 5th Avenue in midtown Manhattan.
"I think the most important thing is who do you buy the diamond from," said Moritz.
Udi Moritz speaks to first-time buyers in offering the following tips.
If you buy it from a store, it should be a jeweler who's been around for awhile who has a good reputation. Go by word of mouth. That to me is the most important thing.
The shape of the diamond is totally up to the individual, it really doesn't matter as long as the person is happy with the shape whether it's round, or pear shape or oval, any shape is fine as long as they like it. Really, people should buy what they like.
The brilliance of the diamond depends on how well the diamond is cut. You should really buy a diamond that's well cut.
Check if it's been certified. If you buy a diamond that's GIA certified, (the Gemological Institute of America) or the American Gem Society, ) AGS-certified, it will have a cut grade at least on the round diamond, and it will help you know if the diamond's at least a very good cut or an excellent cut.
The jeweler you go to should take his time and explain to you how the diamond is graded by the GIA or the AGS. There are very specific rules and regulations. Colors start with a D and go down to Z. And clarity goes from totally flawless, going down to imperfect.
I find a lot of women like the larger size diamonds and they will sacrifice a little bit in the color and the clarity, which is fine, as long as there is a balance. Don't go only for the size and sacrifice totally color or clarity to the point where the diamond is yellowish and imperfect where you can see the imperfections with the naked eye, that's definitely the wrong way to go. The idea is to balance it between the color, the clarity and the size.
Try as many diamonds as you can. Look at as many diamonds as you can. Put them on your finger, see how it looks. Make sure that you like it and make sure the brilliance is there. If you feel that the diamond is not up to your expectations don't buy the diamond.
Is it safe to go online to buy a diamond? There are some very reputable online stores, you want to make sure that you get the 30-day money-back guarantee. Make sure these stones are all certified, with GIA or American Gem Society certificate and make sure you bring it to another jeweler to get a second opinion that the diamond is what it is.
These stones that are certified will come with an actual certificate. The jeweler at first may show you copies of a certificate. When you decide on the diamond that you really want, you should ten get the original certificate.
So again..
Ask your friends. You should definitely ask them if they had a good experience with a jeweler; if they enjoyed the experience; if they felt they got a good deal with the jeweler. If they did, and the jeweler's been around for awhile, and has a good reputation, I would say, try that.
You can always get the diamond checked by another jeweler. I prefer that people go to an independent lab to get it checked. Some jewelers will not give you a 100% correct answer if this stone is a good value or not because you didn't buy it from them and they may have an ulterior motive to downgrade the stone and try to sell you their own diamond. So again, it's a good idea is to go to an independent lab that only grades diamonds, and puts a value on it and does not sell diamonds, or buy diamonds and you will get a good opinion on what it's worth.
If the jeweler will not let you take it on consignment for an hour or two you can pay the jeweler the price of the diamond. Make sure he puts it in writing that this is a cash memo..that you are paying for it and you can get your money back if you change your mind. Then go to your independent jeweler for a second opinion.
For more of Udi Moritz' expertise email at jbintnl@aol.com.
