Diamond Shopping Avoiding the Scams

Diamonds are one of the most expensive stones in the world of jewelry. A simple diamond ring can cost thousands of dollars. Quality of diamonds is gauged using four main characteristics: Carat, Cut, Clarity and Color. The grading of diamonds is done for each of these four characteristics and the prices of diamonds can vary significantly from one grade to another. Thus a small lie (by the retailer) about the grades could mean a difference of thousands of dollars in price. This is one reason why its important to buy only certified diamonds and only from reputed shops. Some people might fall for price and go for uncertified diamonds; thinking that its a bargain. However, if you do that, you could end up getting duped (unless you yourself are a gemologist).

The disreputed retailers (and even some reputed ones) might bluff you by telling you stories about the ingenuity and high quality of a diamond that is actually a low grade one e.g. they might tell you a rounded-off figure for the carat grading (and hence charge you much more than the actual value of the diamond). In any case, knowledge about the grades and the associated value of diamonds of various grades can help you in making a wise decision when buying diamonds.

Some other scams include use of lights (colored lights) in order to make the diamonds look much better than they actually are. This is one reason why it is suggested that you ask the retailer to show the diamonds that you like in plain sunlight.

Another trick deployed by the retailers is to set the diamonds in the jewelry in such a way that the flaws are hidden to the naked eye. Though this doesnt affect the appearance of your jewelry, it does affect its price (the diamond retailer might charge you higher for the diamonds than their actual worth).

Some other scams include use of lasers to hide imperfections and use of artificial coloring or polish (that is not visible to the naked eye) to give a particular tint to the diamond and make it look more expensive than it actually is.