What to Look for When Buying Diamonds

Every jewelry maker will reach the point in their careers when they have to use diamonds in a specially commissioned piece or an important piece that will be the focus of their portfolio. You may be used to buying other precious gems for your creations. The selection process for these other gems rarely go beyond finding one the right shape and size for the piece, but buying a diamond is a different, and entirely more involved affair. You cannot apply these same principles when purchasing diamonds.

Most jewelers should know this, but it bears repeating: the four C's that should be looked for when buying a diamond are color, clarity, carat weight and the diamond's cut. All these factors should be taken into account when purchasing your diamond as the piece you have been commissioned to make should end up being as attractive and perfect as possible. It should be remembered that the purpose of a diamond in a piece of jewelry is not to overpower the whole piece, but to bring out the piece's beauty while being the main attraction of the whole ensemble.

Here are short descriptions of the four C's to help the first time wholesale diamond buyer:

The way the diamond was cut determines the stone's fluorescence and shine. Most people assume that a diamond's cut refers to its shape - it doesn't. The cut actually refers to the manner in which the diamond was cut, and to the quality of such a cut. A diamond's actual shape is a secondary factor after the quality of the stone's cut.

A diamond's clarity refers to the perfection and flawlessness of a diamond, not to how clear it looks to the naked eye. Diamonds tend to have internal and external imperfections visible to the trained eye; a diamond that is free of imperfections is considered to flawless and will be very expensive.

Some may be surprised to know that diamonds can be found in many colors. Most people tend to associate diamonds with their most common colors: yellow and white. Diamonds of a color other than yellow or white are very rare and hence very expensive. Be careful of so-called 'blue-white' diamonds. Some jewelers may pass it off as a rare colored diamond, but they are in fact inferior diamonds the jewelers are trying to get rid of.

Most buyers will ask about a diamond's carat weight, as this is a quick way of determining the stone's value. Large sized diamonds should carry with them a grading certificate from an established and reputable diamond grading company like GIA or any one of its internationally recognized counterparts. If the jeweler refuses to give you such a certificate, don't bother buying from them and simply walk away.

Diamonds are the most popular precious stone in the world for a reason. They are the most beautiful of all the gems and one of the most durable minerals known to man. You will probably put more work into buying diamonds then you would for any other gem for your wholesale jewelry making needs. Your customers will appreciate all the effort and the attention to detail, and that's what counts in the end.

Here are some useful sites to guide you purchasing diamonds:
http://www.diamondring.com/forums/diamondtutorial.php?learn=17
http://www.diamond-buying-made-easier.com/diamond-jewelry-the-basics.html
http://www.diamondinfo.org/