April 30, 2010
Dii on Diamonds
Have you ever watched Holmes on Homes? This show – an HGTV favorite of mine – follows the building expert Holmes as he is called in to various contractor screw-ups that people have paid for. He comes along, points out the mess and then proceeds to clean it up! Do it right! That’s what he usually says!!
Another bit of advice he gives is to educate yourself before hiring a contractor. Now, I don’t know much, but I have learned some things from watching this show. For example, I know more about tiling a shower – and it’s a good thing – I just helped tile mine!
I hope you can learn a bit about diamonds by reading this blog. After all, diamonds and gems are beautiful because they make us feel beautiful. If you have questions, contact me either through this blog or the American Gem Society website: www.AmericanGemSociety.org Have a great weekend …Dii on Diamonds
April 29, 2010
How Do You Know?
I receive questions from consumers through the American Gem Society website. Recently, I was asked how to know if the diamond matches the report? It seems as though the diamond was selected in a store, but then mailed to the buyer instead of delivered while in the store.
Upon receipt, the diamond didn’t look the same. Now, there’s doubt… This consumer is asking, “Did I get the diamond I chose in the store?” and “How do I know this diamond matches the report?”
Look at the post from 4/27. Then, read post 4/21. …Dii
April 27, 2010
Switching Stones – Don’t Let it Happen to You!
One fear many of you have when leaving your diamond with a jeweler (out of sight; not out of mind) is whether it’s still your diamond when you retrieve it. How can you be sure and confident when you leave your ring for a repair or cleaning?
First, know your jeweler and make sure they know about diamonds. All members of the American Gem Society have microscopes and they can show you your diamond – and explain what characteristics are there. When you recognize at least one characteristic, you can look for it again when you pick it up.
You deserve to feel confident and comfortable if you’re trusting your jewelry to someone else. Don’t be afraid to ask to see your diamond under the microscope. A professional will gladly show you… Dii
April 23, 2010
Bad Stuff!
There’s some really bad stuff on the Internet. Today, I read a blog about a diamond, found in Arkansas in 1999, which received the first “PERFECT” grade from the American Gem Society. Ughhhh! In the American Gem Society Diamond Grading Standards, it is unethical to use the word “Perfect” to describe a diamond. Ummmmmmm
Another blog mentioned the writer having a Certified Gemologist title – when in fact, he or she had only achieved a Graduate Gemologist Diploma from the GIA. Only a member of the American Gem Society can earn and advertise the title of Certified Gemologist. And, in order to be an individual member, you must be employed by a member firm. And, you must successfully complete an annual recertification exam.
This isn’t a social club – the American Gem Society has been around since 1934. A jeweler doesn’t join; they must earn membership and be elected. That’s GOOD STUFF! …Dii
April 22, 2010
Stuff Worth Knowing
If you’ve shopped for diamonds in stores or on the Internet, you’re probably familiar with a few different independent diamond grading laboratories. Then, some Internet companies also provide their own grading system – one they’ve developed to help categorize the diamonds they’re selling. Be careful of comparisons to other grading systems. The information may not be accurate.
Anyone can enroll in a GIA class for Diamond Grading. One option is a 5-day class which is like diamond grading 101 on speed. But, you do learn quite a bit. You might not come out with the skills to accurately grade diamonds for a living, but you will definitely understand the 4Cs and how GIA arrives at their grading conclusions. Go to www.gia.edu for a list of classes and dates in California, New York, or Las Vegas.
Or, you can consult a jeweler who has not only completed their education in diamonds, but also earned a good reputation for ethical selling and trust. Your American Gem Society Registered Jeweler, Certified Gemologist, or Certified Gemologist Appraiser can provide you with information on the stuff worth knowing… Dii
April 21, 2010
Who Knows This Stuff?
Not every jeweler knows how to evaluate the cut of a diamond – or to explain how a grading laboratory came to their conclusions. Some may just want you to look at the sparkle! Well, with all those bright lights in the store, it should sparkle! And who can keep track after looking at diamonds in all those mall stores in one afternoon?
Congratulations. At least you’re looking at them – that’s so much better than reading about them.
Does your jeweler have professional credentials? Has he or she completed courses in diamond identification and grading? Does the store grade their own diamonds – even if they also come with an independent lab report? Does your jeweler own a microscope in order to evaluate the internal characteristics for a clarity grade? Does the store own a set of Master Diamonds used to compare and evaluate the color of a diamond? Does your jeweler renew their credentials every year – just to be sure they are up on the latest treatments, imitations, and synthetics?
If not, they don’t know all their stuff – they’re only selling somebody else’s stuff. Keep looking… Dii
April 20, 2010
A Cut Above the Rest
Your first lesson is about the cut of the diamond. I’m not talking shape here – this is the quality of workmanship by the cutter and the resulting performance of the diamond.
I mentioned in an earlier post, how each diamond is unique and even seemingly similar grades can vary tremendously in appearance. Let’s take that hypothetical round brilliant, one-carat, G, VS1 diamond.
What’s the quality of the cut? This factor alone can affect the price of a diamond by as much as 50% or more!! So, if you’re price shopping and comparing diamonds of equal weight with no mention of the quality of the cut, you are basing your decision on incomplete data.
And, there’s more to this lesson – not all grading laboratories evaluate cut to the same criteria. Comparing two different reports can be like comparing the performance of a Civic to that of a Porsche. They’ll both get you to work, but there’s a difference in performance. Oh, and price too. More tomorrow. …Dii
April 19, 2010
Cutting Remarks
Many diamonds are sold with so little information – even though they have a so-called “cert”. Many times, the seller knows so little – and must rely on reading the “cert” to tell you about the grade. Some types of sales use a middle man to take your money in exchange for finding something to mail to you. Maybe that middle man doesn’t ever touch the merchandise – it might be mailed directly to you from another supplier.
There’s no service included – except MAYBE a 30-day money-back or exchange policy. (Read the small print and/or listen carefully.) But it’s such a good deal, right?
If you’re shopping the Internet and looking at information provided by an independent laboratory, keep in mind, that “cert” is NOT a certificate. There are no guarantees that another professional laboratory or gemologist will agree with the opinion typed on that report. Therefore, the first thing to keep in mind is the integrity and reputation of the grading laboratory.
Then you need to do some homework. More tomorrow… Dii
April 16, 2010
Should You Judge a Diamond by its Paper?
AGS Ideal Cut Diamond
I prefer to answer with another question — “Do all 6-foot blond men weighing 175 pounds look alike?” Hey – even if they’re twins they won’t be totally identical in personality. And, personality can change how you view a person, right?
Well, each diamond has a personality too. Unless you see it, touch it, and hear about how those Cs affect it’s beauty and value, you can’t make an informed decision. Diamonds are NOT a commodity. They are not sold by a licensed a broker who will help you buy and sell them.
One more thing – professional jewelers purchase diamonds AFTER they see them – don’t you think you should too?
Next week, what’s the most important C? …Dii
April 15, 2010
How to Use Your Tax Refund
I’ve been hearing quite a few news stories about higher tax refunds this year. I don’t know if that’s been true for you, but I do know that there may be other things than gemstones and jewelry on the list of where to spend your money!
However, if you’ve been saving for that special ring – aka engagement ring – you may be considering using your refund to help fund your proposal. If your anniversary is approaching, you may want to go shopping together in order to drop a few hints! So how do you recognize a good value? Is the lowest price always the best value?
If you wanted quality health care, wouldn’t you seek out a Doctor who had been recommended by a friend? Would you consider the credentials of your Doctor – especially for specialized care? Would you tend to trust a Doctor who gave discounts on their surgeries?
The same is true of your choice in jewelers. Look for recommendations, credentials, and ethics in providing good value. It can be money well-spent. …Dii
