How to buy a diamond

How to buy a diamond	Diamond FAQ's
A diamond dictionary	Diamond jewelry

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A good understanding of diamonds is necessary before you begin shopping. We've put the basics together here to help guide you. Learning about diamonds is really learning about the "four Cs" of diamonds - cut, clarity, color and carat weight. These are the criteria jewelers use when grading diamonds, and they're the ones you'll need to understand to find the right diamond for you.

In the American market, people generally go for G - H in color, and VS - SI1 in clarity, and from there they adjust in size depending on their budget. Higher color (D to F) and clarity (Flawless to VVS) is nice, but it's not always obvious to the eye, and it makes the price go up drastically.

I'd give a similar warning for cut. A human eye cannot see the difference between good, very good and excellent ratings for polish and symmetry. You can, however, recognize "fair" or "poor" polish and symmetry. I would never advise buying a stone with less than "good" polish and symmetry, and Mondera doesn't sell them.

So, given all this, why would someone still want top color, clarity or cut stones? For two reasons -- art and rarity. If you have the money to afford a well-cut or top-quality stone, you're buying a true work of art, as well as something that's extremely rare.

Cut is probably most important if you're on a budget. You can make up for low color (J to L) and clarity (SI - I1) if the stone is well-cut -- which, I am pleased to say, all Mondera stones are.

Many people favor so-called "Ideal cut" stones. These are beautiful stones, but it's ultimately a question of taste. Ideal cuts typically have more fire, but less brilliance, than the best non-Ideal stones. It all depends on what you like.

If you do want to buy an Ideal cut, buy one with an American Gem Society Diamond Quality Document (AGS DQD) with a cut grade of zero (highest rating). That way you know the stone is really "Ideal." Because if just one factor is off, you don't have an Ideal stone. If you are going to buy into the Ideal concept, go with it all the way.