Diamond Engagement Ring Shopping Checklist
Through years of experience and working with hundreds of couples, we have created a checklist for you to use while you shop around for your diamond engagement ring. Choosing the right one can be hard, but the goal of this list is to make the shopping process easier for you.
1. Make sure you are buying a certified diamond.
Ensure the diamond you’re buying is certified by a reputable gem lab. We at Edelweiss recommend buying diamonds that are certified by the Gemological Institute of America, also known as the G.I.A.
If you’re buying a stone that is not certified by the G.I.A., and you don't know jewelry very well, you should consult a trusted professional or shoot us an email.
2. Check the certificate for fluorescence.
This is one of the most common ways diamond sellers can turn a large profit off of customer ignorance. Fluorescence refers to how the diamond responds to UV light (blacklight).
The existence of fluorescence produces a blue hue and is generally thought to be negative because it detracts from the colorless quality of nice diamonds. Fluorescence is measured on a scale from none to strong blue. Edelweiss deals only in none or faint fluorescence diamonds since the market often treats those two qualities the exact same from a pricing standpoint.
Medium blue or strong blue fluorescent diamonds are absolute non-starters. The value of a diamond is significantly reduced if it has medium or strong blue fluorescence. Stones with fluorescence can definitely still be stunning and beautiful, but you should ask for a discount in price.
3. Google the G.I.A. Certificate Number
Seriously: look it up to see if it’s for sale anywhere else. Confused? That’s because the jewelry industry is insane! Diamonds are often offered for sale by multiple sellers simultaneously (never in person, of course). Once the ring is sold, one seller tells the other that the diamond is no longer available. Whoever owns the diamond settles up with the seller after the sale goes through. The point here is to make sure the same diamond isn't being offered somewhere else for way less.
4. Ask if the Engagement Ring is Handmade
We think it’s important that you know what you are buying when it comes to an important and costly purchase like an engagement ring. Regardless of what you buy, you should know exactly how it was made and then expect a price that reflects that. (You can read more about the differences between handmade and casting jewelry here.) So, ask your jeweler Is this handmade or casting jewelry? Where was it made? Who made it? Chances are you won’t be able to get all these answers, but these questions will give you a better idea of what you’re buying if the seller is genuine with their answers.
5. Ask when the Jewelry was made
If you’re buying vintage or high-end estate jewelry, it can be really difficult to verify authenticity. A legitimate retailer should be able to provide ample documentation. Certificates, appraisals, letters of authenticity and comparables will help to validate a piece and make the customer a lot more comfortable. Comparables are examples of similar jewelry in terms of gemstone value, craftsmanship, and date of origin. The documentation could be a record of sale or a similar ring offered at another retailer. Edelweiss is happy to examine a piece you are considering and give you an opinion of its authenticity and quality.
In short, Edelweiss can help you through any of these steps. Plenty of jewelry vendors will attempt to pull the wool over your eyes without giving you straight answers. With Edelweiss, our goal is to help educate you through the process of looking for or building a ring for your loved one. We work with you to give you your dream ring.
