Diamonds-Engagement Rings
Buying Estate Diamonds
Estate Diamonds can be a bargain, but you need to know quite a lot about diamonds .. and then you need a plan.
But read our entire tutorial before you start, especially about characteristics that can make a diamond re-cut smaller.
The first thing you might notice about buying second-hand .. oops, "previously owned" diamonds is that there is no immaculately dressed person twisting the diamond around under halogen lights so that you are mesmerized by the glittering prize.
Actually, that's a good thing ..
But before you can buy a diamond you need to find one. But before you start looking, you really need to know for what you are looking and at what you will be looking.
And in between finding a diamond and buying one that are some really important steps to consider. So let's do a list.
- Patience - it's a necessity rather than a virtue
- Locating a diamond - don't think fashion malls
- Appraisals - locate an appraiser you can trust .. and afford
- Certificate - plan on paying for a diamond lab appraisal
- Cutting - re cutting may be necessary - re polishing is a must
- Dealing - how .. and more importantly .. where
- Financing - cash works
But before taking any action, set your parameters and line up your appraiser. If you don't have a good plan you probably won't make a good purchase.
Write down your list of questions to ask and even what answers are acceptable to you.
- The diamond - define your range of all parameters such as the 4 C's, and the price you will pay for each set of parameters. Know them .. write them down .. think about them
- Your appraiser - should know diamond grades and diamond wholesale prices. This person is a key to your success or failure
- Costs - add in the cost of appraisals, re-cutting, a setting that you may not want and a piece of a "set" that you may not want
- Certs - do you really want to look at diamonds that are not already certified by a reputable lab? If so, that means that the descriptions you read in ad or hear on the telephone may not be accurate.
Okay, enough of this small-talk. On to the nuts and bolts of locating and buying estate diamonds.