It’s said that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, and while that may not exactly be the case, they certainly do put a smile on the faces of those who receive them. It used to be that men would do all the shopping on their own and surprise their special someone with a piece of diamond jewelry. Well, times have changed and now it’s very common for a couple to shop for diamonds together so that the woman can have a say in the purchase.

While you can certainly shop for diamond jewelry that is already set in a ring, pendant, etc., there is also the option to shop for loose diamonds. When shopping for loose diamonds you have a lot more options in front of you as you are in total control of what diamond(s) you choose. It’s an ideal way to create custom-made pieces that are unique and special.

As you enter the store to look at loose diamonds, or you shop online, it’s pretty easy to find yourself mesmerized by their beauty, but at the same time, you’ll want to stay focused so you can pick the right one(s). Shopping for diamonds isn’t quite as simple and quick as you may assume, as there are all kinds of things to consider.

To help you with your big purchase, we’ve put together a handy guide of tips you can use when buying diamonds. Let’s get started!

Begin with a Budget

This tip is extremely important and should always be the very first thing you do. You want to set a budget you are comfortable with and that you can stick to. It’s a good idea to set this budget before you even start browsing, because once you start looking, it can then be hard to set a budget. Because diamonds are available in a large variety of price points, you should feel confident in any budget you settle on.

What Kind of Jewelry Will the Diamond Be Used In?

Another tip is to think about the piece of jewelry you are looking to create. Do you want a ring, a pendant, or maybe earrings? This will determine the cut and carats you should be shopping for. Depending on where you shop for the loose diamonds, the jeweler may be able to draw up a design for you as well, which will again help to determine how you plan to use the diamonds.

Find a Reputable Jeweler or Diamond Dealer

Because you will be spending a lot of money on the diamond(s), you want to be sure you are getting genuine stones. It is recommended that you spend some time researching different jewelers and dealers to be sure you go with one that is reputable. You can always ask friends and family members for recommendations as well.

The problem is that as a shopper, you aren’t skilled as a gemologist, so you will essentially have to place your trust in the dealer or jeweler. You need to know that what they are telling you is true and you are getting what you’ve paid for.

No matter where you purchase your diamond from, you should always ask to see the report from the laboratory for that particular diamond. The report will give you all the important details about the diamond, such as cut and clarity. Keep in mind that this grading should come from The American Gem Society Laboratories.

You Shouldn’t Feel Pressured or Rushed

Because buying a diamond is a rather substantial purchase, you shouldn’t feel pressured or rushed into making decisions. If you are working with a sales person, a dealer, or jeweler, they should be willing to help you, answer any questions you may have, educate you on diamonds, and not pressure you in the least bit. As well, they should be respectful of your budget and not try to make you feel as though you should spend more.

Decide on the Metal

While you may not think this is as important in the process, deciding on the metal you plan to pair with the diamond is actually an important step. You can choose from platinum or gold in various colors. Today, rose gold has become quite popular and has a vintage vibe to it. White gold tends to be more modern, whereas yellow gold is elegant and timeless.

As you shop for the diamond it’s a good idea to hold it up to the various metals in different colors so you can see how they work together.

Choosing a Carat

One of the biggest questions you’ll be faced with is choosing the carat weight of your diamond. Obviously, your budget will help to narrow this selection down, but you’ll still have many to choose from. The carat weight has the most impact as far as the cost of the diamond goes. The more carats, the heavier it will weigh, which means the larger the diamond, the more expensive it will be.

It’s common to think the bigger the better with diamonds, but this isn’t necessarily true. You may find that when you try on that large diamond it doesn’t suit you, or it overpowers the setting. In the case of diamonds, size shouldn’t be the only deciding factor.

What about the Clarity?

Clarity too will affect the price and the look of the diamond. Clarity refers to how many inclusions are in the diamond. The clearer and cleaner it is, the higher the clarity. Some will argue that as long as it is clean to the naked eye, then that’s all you should worry about, while others recommend looking at the diamond under a microscope.

Inclusions can be described as “blemishes”. These inclusions can be external or internal and happen naturally. There can be just one inclusion or many. Some will also be bigger than others. Clarity has its own grading scale, which ranges from Flawless all the way to I3 (includes inclusions clear to the naked eye). Inclusions can affect the brilliance and transparency of the diamond.

What is the Diamond Color?

In terms of color, this scale works a bit differently than you may think. The perfect diamond is one that is completely void of color and therefore clear. The perfect colorless diamond should look like a drop of water basically. Color also has its own grading scale, which begins at D (completely clear and colorless) and ranges all the way to Z (light color detected).

While you may not be able to detect the small variations in color, they will certainly affect the price of the diamond. Controlled lighting is used to detect the color of the stone.

Choosing the Cut

The final factor to consider when buying loose diamonds is the cut. This is a very important aspect of the diamond, as the cut determines how the light is reflected. The cut can affect just how brilliant and sparkly the diamond is. In the technical terms, the cut is determined by how well the facets (cuts) in the diamond are able to interact with light. It takes a very skilled jeweler to cut a diamond in a way that results in the optimum amount of light reflection.

Cut, of course, has its own scale to help you determine what the best diamond is. It ranges from excellent to poor. In total, there are five different designations in the scale. If you are going to focus on any area, the cut is usually a good one to go with. Even a small diamond with slight inclusions can look beautiful when the cut is classed as excellent. Of all the different factors (clarity, color, carats, and cut), the cut is the hardest to rate and identify. It’s also obvious if a skilled craftsman has cut the diamond over a craftsman that isn’t quite as experienced.

It Comes Down to Personal Preference

Shopping for loose diamonds is both exciting and intimidating. There is a lot to educate yourself on and research to do before you even head out and start looking. Obviously, you want to get value for the money you are spending, but at the same time, you want a diamond that is beautiful, looks great in the setting and reflects your own personal style and taste.

Keeping these tips in mind as you shop can help you during the process, but it’s also important to note that, at the end of the day, you have to love the diamond. Try not to get too caught up in the cut, clarity, carats, and color. While it’s important to be made aware of each diamond’s features and traits, the fact is that you need to love it. You may not need a completely colorless diamond to be happy, and you may not need that two carat stone in order to fall in love with the piece.

Choosing diamonds is very much about personal preference and style, and those factors should be just as important as the specifics during the shopping experience.