We all know the rule. A diamond for that special engagement ring should cost two months salary, right? Well, if that salary is not as high as you would like, how do you find a good stone for less money? The answer may well be discount diamonds.

Buyer Beware

If you type, “discount diamonds” into to any search engine you will likely get hundreds of hits. How do you know the best deals from the scams? The answer is in understanding enough about purchasing a diamond that you cannot be taken in by a less than scrupulous seller.

There are several methods by which a person, who has not taken the time to research diamonds, can be manipulated. The most dramatic method is to be sold cubic zirconium instead of a diamond. However, the actuality of this happening is rare. What is more common is for the dealer to sell a stone that does not quite weigh what is claimed or one that is of lesser quality.

How Do I Buy A Diamond?

The Gemological Institute of America has created an almost universal system used for grading diamonds—to include those found at a discount diamond dealer. The acronym for this system is the 4 C’s. Color is the first. Traditional clear diamonds should be nearly colorless. The scale for this starts at D (colorless) and goes all the way to Z (grey/black). Next is cut. The cut of a round diamond should have 58 facets that allow the light to bounce inside creating the popular brilliance.

After that, be sure to look at the size of the stone. Carat weight is the determination of that size. Obviously, the bigger the stone, the more expensive it will be. Finally, look for flaws within the stone. The best way to do this is to look at your stone under a microscope prior to having it set, because a prong on a diamond can easily hide a rather large flaw.

Once you feel more confident in your role as buyer, go out and see what is available. Then, begin to look for the best price for the largest diamond you can afford. One of the best places to look for these kinds of deals is at a discount diamond dealer. Generally, companies like this purchase large quantities of diamonds, which allows them buy the stones at a discounted rate. The end result, then, is often the best possible deal for the diamond buyer—you!