Buying diamond jewellery isn’t easy. In fact, if you’re not an expert in the field or haven’t purchased much jewellery of that kind or quality in the past, it’s easy to overspend or buy the wrong item. With the number of pieces and sellers to choose from today, it’s easy for someone to feel overwhelmed with their options. This feeling can become the reason why people end up buying pieces of jewellery that are either too expensive or made from substandard or low-quality materials.
Unfortunately, that can be a very costly mistake, because buying diamond jewellery isn’t exactly a low-cost affair. It can also be a pretty complex purchase, thanks to the variety of metals, styles and sizes on the market.
Very few people are diamond experts, which means it’s surprisingly easy to buy the wrong piece of jewellery. It’s why doing your homework before you head out and spend your hard earned money is so important.
If you want the best diamond or vintage jewelry, you will need to spend, but the more you know about what to look for and the mistakes to avoid, the better an investment you’ll make.
Why is this so important?
A piece of diamond jewellery often signifies an important milestone or gesture. It might be a proposal, a relationship milestone, or a big gift for someone, which will be invested with sentimental value.
Whatever the occasion, this is a purchase you will want to get right. Although some dealers will accept returns, it’s best not to rely too heavily on this, and it’s far better to get it right in the first place.
So, before you head out and shop for diamond jewellery, here are five common mistakes people have made – so you don’t have to.
1. Not understanding diamond terminology
Did you know what diamond clarity means? This is just one example of diamond jewellery lingo which it pays to be aware of before you dive head-first into making a purchase.
It’s a great idea to have a glossary of diamond terms handy when buying diamond jewellery. Also, take some time to speak to those who work in the trade. If you have a friend who knows their stuff, take them out for a coffee, or simply call or drop into a dealer to find out as much as you can about the most important terminology.
If this is your first time to buy diamond jewellery, take as much time as you need to learn diamond terminologies. Aside from asking for help from other people, it would also make a difference if you do your own research and learn by yourself. Fortunately, there are countless of websites today that can teach you the basics of diamond terminology.
Combined with other people’s help and your own commitment to learn, it won’t be long before you can master diamond terminology and use this knowledge when buying. The more you know about diamond terminologies, the easier it’ll be for you to find the right suppliers and the best pieces.
2. Forgetting to read reviews
Online reviews drive the purchasing decisions of many consumers, and for good reason.
Although there are plenty of rogue reviewers and keyboard warriors out there, you’ll find plenty of genuine reviews which will give a great insight into whether or not it’s worth spending your money at that particular dealer.
Before heading to a store or their website, undertake a simple Google search to see what the general opinion is of the dealer in question. If you see a large number of bad reviews or complaints, move onto the next one.
The World Wide Web can provide unlimited information about the credibility of a particular dealer. Aside from checking the dealer’s website for reviews, don’t forget to check other online platforms as well. Social media, personal blogs, and online forums are usually unfiltered, which means that you’ll be able to know the pros and cons of a particular. These are great avenues to know how a dealer handles their customers, and whether or not the pieces they’re selling are authentic.
The reviews you read about a dealer online can help manage your expectations and protect you from scams. When it comes to buying diamond jewellery, the experience of other people can help you identify which dealers are legitimate or not.
3. Not checking certification
Not all diamonds are created equal. In fact, there are standards by which manufacturers must abide if they want to gain the necessary certifications.
These certificates are sometimes referred to as ‘diamond reports’, and tell the buyer some really useful information about the diamond’s weight, quality and something called the ‘Four Cs’, which stands for colour, clarity, cut and carat weight.
If you’re ever unsure about the certification of a diamond (or if one exists at all), ask the dealer. They should provide an honest answer, and if they appear to dance around the fact, it might be an idea to look elsewhere.
4. Not knowing the difference between real and fake
Unfortunately, there are fake, imitation diamonds on the market – if you shop in the wrong places.
Unless you’re a diamond specialist yourself, spotting a piece of fake diamond jewellery can be pretty tricky. This is why it pays to shop at reputable dealers and ask as many questions as you can.
The best dealers won’t have a single piece of fake jewellery in their shop, but if you’re buying from somewhere else, spend some time researching the difference between fake and real diamonds before you head out.
5. Failing to set a budget
This is a common mistake and one that’s easily made.
If you don’t know your budget before buying diamond jewellery, you’ll almost certainly overspend on the wrong piece.
Before you go anywhere near a store or website, make sure you set a solid budget to which you promise yourself you’ll stick – and do just that. Then, when you’re speaking to dealers, you can tell them exactly what your budget is, and make it clear you aren’t willing to exceed it.
This will work for everyone, because the dealer will know you’re serious and they’ll have something to go on. For you, it’ll be peace of mind that you won’t overspend on your diamond jewellery. Moreover, having a budget before making the purchase will also keep financial stress at bay as you won’t end up acquiring too many debts just because you’re buying a piece of diamond jewellery.
Wrapping up
We’ve listed the most common mistakes people make when buying diamond jewellery above. Keep them by your side while shopping and, if you’re ever unsure or feel like something isn’t quite right about a piece of diamond jewellery, ask plenty of questions, or look elsewhere.