Buying A Pre-Owned Diamond: What To Know

Buying a diamond can be an intimidating process for most people. With many things to consider including, what to look for, how much to spend, how to find a reputable dealer, purchasing online or at a brick and mortar, used/vintage or new it can be a complicated and confusing process.

In knowing what to look for in a quality diamond, thankfully, a standard of grading diamonds was developed over 60 years ago by the Gemological Institute of America. The standards are based around the Four C’s: cut, color, clarity and carat.

To better understand each of the Four C’s, the American Gem Society has offered the following definitions:

CUT:

Of all the 4 Cs, cut has the greatest effect on a diamond’s beauty. In determining the quality of the cut, the grader evaluates the cutter’s skill in the fashioning of the diamond; technology. The more precise the cut, the more captivating the diamond is to the eye.

COLOR:

Gem-quality diamonds occur in many hues. In the range from colorless to light yellow or light brown. Colorless diamonds are the rarest. Other natural colors (Blue, Red, Pink for example) are known as fancy – their color grading is different than from white diamonds.

CLARITY:

Diamonds can have internal characteristics known as inclusions or external characteristics known as blemishes. Diamonds without inclusions or blemishes are rare; however, most characteristics can only be seen with magnification.

CARAT:

The carat is the diamond’s physical weight measured in metric carats. One carat equals 1/5 gram and is subdivided into 100 points. Carat weight is the most objective of the 4 Cs. It involves no estimates, comparisons or judgments.

Having a detailed understanding of the Four C’s will help immensely in demystifying the process of purchasing a quality diamond. There are several resources online you can turn to for more in depth explanations of the different cuts and colors available as well as definitions of clarity standards for the precious gems. Doing your research is the first step in ensuring a good purchase, and finding a trusted and reliable jeweler is just as, if not more, important.

There are several ways to find a reliable jeweler. You can read reviews online, check national directories for qualified and registered jewelers, or simply asking friends, family and colleagues for recommendations. It is important to find someone you can trust to steer you in the right direction and who has the ability to make you a deal that fits your budget.
At Jewelry-N-Loan our experts are always on-hand to answer questions and work with our customers to get them exactly what they’re looking for. We have one of the most trusted names in the business with years of experience and a reputation for honest, reliable and quality customer service. Come into our shop in Costa Mesa, CA or contact us today via phone or email and let one of our staff assist you in making this very important purchase.

Whether you are getting engaged, celebrating an anniversary or simply spoiling a loved one we have an extensive collection of fine diamonds and jewelry. If we don’t have exactly what you are looking for, we can easily locate your desired piece through our vast worldwide network of reputable jewelry contacts. If it is a custom piece you covet, simply bring us a picture and we will custom-design the piece for you, usually at a fraction of the normal cost. Jewelry-N-Loan takes the time to work with each customer to specifically fit their wants and needs, ensuring a great deal for all parties involved. Contact us today.

Jewelry-N-Loan is conveniently located in the old town stretch of Costa Mesa, CA. You can’t miss our vintage storefront just off the end of the 55 Freeway on Newport Boulevard. Our charming building was originally an ice cream parlor in the 1950’s and over the years has seen several transformations before becoming the high-end pawn shop that is Jewelry-N-Loan.