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 1. Examine your diamond loose.
When the diamond is mounted in the setting you may not see certain characteristics or flaws that could greatly impact the price - in fact, up to 25% of your diamond, which means you don't see the true clarity, color, or cut.
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 2. Examine your diamond under proper lighting conditions using a color grading tray.
Direct spotlights, commonly found in jewelry stores, will mask your diamond's true color. Be sure to view the diamond away from these bright and unnatural lights. Use the type of lighting found in the grading laboratories.
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 3. Examine your diamond with a gemscope (microscope) under 10x magnification.
This allows you to see the true beauty of your diamond.
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 4. Have your diamond weight verified in front of you.
It is crucial to know the exact carat weight of your diamond, as just a point or two difference can significantly change the cost of the diamond.
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 5. Your diamond must be certified by an independent laboratory.
This gives you an unbiased, third-party endorsement of the diamond.
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 6. Buy with your eyes, not with your ears.
It's important to be able to look at the diamond yourself and understand what you are getting. Don't let anyone talk you into buying a diamond that you don't love.
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