GIA’s International Diamond Grading System, along with GIA’s 4Cs of diamond grading, are used to deliver a comprehensive analysis of quality for diamonds in the D-to-Z color range, detailing shape, color, cutting quality, measurement, weight, proportions, finish and clarity.  Grading reports also contain important info. on any sort of treatments detected during the grading process.

While other labs issue similar reports, the GIA Diamond Grading Report has rightfully earned the reputation for unrivaled accuracy and integrity.  I will never purchase a diamond piece of jewelry without an accompanying report – there’s nothing else out there that can give you such solid assurance that you’re getting what you’re paying for.  To really drive the point home, GIA again, is a no-profit – it’s not affiliated with ANY commercial enterprise, so their goals are altruistic.  

Happy shopping!  And a Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone!

1. Budget

Figure out how much exactly you are going to spend BEFORE shopping.  Most commonly, using two months worth of ones salary is considered appropriate.  Additionally, you should be thinking long and hard about the value and quality of the diamond you intend to buy.  The better prepared you are when going into the process, the less overwhelmed you’ll be when looking at rings.

2. Know your to-be spouse!!!!  Take the time to really look into what kinds of jewelry your fiance likes.  Feel free to ask their friends, but it’s easiest to go straight to the source!  This includes knowing ring size as well!

3. Learn the 4C’s like your life depends on it.  It’s the only way you’ll be able to look at rings and scrutinize them to a degree based on your own knowledge.  It’s a good feeling to know that you have some “expertise” on diamond rating, even if it’s just what the 4C’s are: cut, clarity, color, carat.  

4. Research your source and shop around.  Make sure wherever you are purchasing from is a reputable source.  They should be able to provide a third party grading report and offer a 30-day satisfaction guarantee with a full refund.  Look for stores with a GIA Graduate Gemologist, and don’t feel goofy asking about it.  It might be relatively new language/knowledge to you, but jewelers know exactly what you’re talking about.  

5. Insist on a GIA Diamond Grading Report (seriously).  It provides an unbiased scientific evalution on a diamonds 4C’s.  Good jewelers rely on GIA grading reports when purchasing  diamonds.

6. Make a purchase!

7. Get an appraisal (for insurance, this is required)

8. Call your insurance company and get your ring immediately insured.

9. Pop the question

I bought my wife a platinum and diamond engagement ring, and amongst some of the things I came across in my research and discussions with friends, is how important it is to get your gem graded.  Now, knowing that much is helpful, but still vague.  When I went to find out where to get my wife’s diamond certified, I was flooded with different options – which left me confused and frustrated as to what sources were the most reliable to go to.    By sheer luck, I had discussed my wife’s engagement ring with one of my recently married buddies…  He told me that what’s frustrating about the grading process is not the number of options of where to go, but the facade that there are numerous options when there is in reality, only one.

Turns out GIA (the Gemological Institute of America) is a non-profit; essentially doing what the Government would otherwise have to do, if GIA did not.  They are therefore, unbiased, trustworthy and reliable for rating your gems according to standardized ratings, and doing so for everyone with the public’s interest in mind.  Going through GIA gives you a true third party evaluation  dedicated solely to scientific validity, NOT commercial interests.

GIA created the 4C’s for crying out loud!  How many of you guys out there who have researched rings online have come across infinite discussions about the “4 C’s”??  I couldn’t even believe my eyes when I first saw that they were the creators of this standard that had laid out my own standards for picking out the ideal engagement ring.

I found this video after searching around a bit for it – you can get more info on GIA directly at their site, of course.  In the meantime however, feel free to take a look at this video for a really interesting briefing on the institute and how ratings work.  It was helpful for me to watch to understand how ratings work and why they’re important to get from “the” reliable source:

How GIA Grades Diamonds

In addition to platinum, tungsten also has a notable lifespan for a precious metal.  Though I do like Tungsten as a material, the look and association isn’t nearly that of platinum.  An additional issue is that tungsten rings cannot be re-sized, so if your fingers change sizes over time (which they often do), a ring made out of it would be beyond  a pain to try and re-size, if not totally impossible.  That said, once again, platinum really does reign over the other precious metals out there.

It really does shock me when I hear about people not investing in it b/c it’s so practical and worth it.  There is no price tag on something that will be reminding you and your spouse of eachother for the rest of your lives – truly.  The ring I proposed to my wife is below.  Can’t believe I haven’t posted it on here until now!

Cheers!

Stunning!

Like other things of high quality, platinum developes this rich aura as it ages – it’s almost satin-looking.  It’s kind of a sweet way to reflect on the years we’ve been together, not to sound cliche.  But I really do look at our rings now and see the subtle wear time has taken on their finish, and it’s beyond words.  It’s such a classic, luxurious material – certainly my wife would say the exact same.

This program is a life-saver for anyone who is a jewelry rookie like myself.  It allows you to pick and choose the design of your ring, from the band, to the stone, to the setting..  I really took advantage of using this feature because it let me take my time in designing a ring without any face-to-face sales pressure.  I enjoyed going to jewelry stores to an extent, but really didn’t enjoy the pressure of sales people watching your every move and pushing you one way or another towards certain rings.

Click here (http://www.preciousplatinum.com/output/Page19.asp) and then select, “Design My Own” to try it out.

As much of an annoyance as it was for her, it was helpful for me in knowing at least what to exclude from my options for her engagement ring.  Just thought this might be a helpful thing to note.

• 81% of women want a platinum ring (American Wedding Study)

• 79% of women feel that the qualities of platinum best reflect their own style and taste (Hall & Partners)

• 36% of brides-to-be are disappointed when their receive their Engagement Ring and it’s not platinum (The Knot Engagement Survey

Interesting stuff, right?

He knows what he’s talking about – and it’s always nice to hear this kind of stuff from a man’s perspective.  Enjoy.