Written by Sophia Young Content Studio exclusively for Velvet Bordeaux Events
Buying diamond jewelry isn’t quite as simple as working out the other details of your wedding. Even just buying jewelry in general needs a bit of thought, what more a piece of diamond jewelry. Add that to the minor details you have to stress over and it will no doubt become tangled together.
The ceremony should be the focal point of your union as a married couple and not the other details, which are just the icing on the cake.
However, getting a piece of diamond jewelry doesn’t hurt. After all, diamonds are a girl’s best friend and it is worth it to have something to remember to look back on the day you said “yes”. To help you have a stress-free shopping experience, here are a few mistakes to avoid when buying diamond jewelry.
1. Don’t Forget to Do Research Ahead of Time
Before diving headfirst into the first jeweler you find, a bit of research is necessary to ensure you don’t end up with a case of buyer’s remorse or pay more than what you have to. Before buying diamond jewelry, you must keep in mind the 4 Cs of diamonds, which are cut, color, carat, and clarity. That way, when you do get to the jewelers, you don’t have to fumble around when they bring out the terminologies.
The better the diamond is cut, the shinier and more brilliant it will appear. If you’ve noticed how some diamonds appear sparkly, this is why. Also, note that high-quality cuts could contribute to a higher price tag. Plus, the cut also pertains to the shape of the diamond, so you could choose whether you’d like a round, princess, emerald, or even oval-shaped diamond.
When you’re at a jeweler’s, inspect the clarity of the diamond and see if it has any blemishes or if it is spotless. Don’t forget that a diamond’s weight is expressed in terms of carats. And not all diamonds are colorless as some could be a yellow or champagne color, so if you do find a diamond that’s not pure white, this doesn’t mean it is automatically counterfeit.
2. Not Knowing the Types of Diamonds
Part of your research should include the type of diamond to buy. A store can carry lab grown and mined diamonds. Both of them are composed of essentially the same chemical and physical composition. And unless you use specialized equipment, it is almost impossible to tell them apart by the naked eye. Their main difference is how they are produced seeing as lab grown diamonds are man-made while mined ones are naturally occurring.
It doesn’t mean that lab grown diamonds are fake, they are indeed real diamonds. However, they are cheaper than mined ones because lab grown diamonds don’t require a lot of time and resources to manufacture. Their resale value also tends to depreciate because it is easy to create them in contrast to mined ones. Conversely, people tend to shy away from mined diamonds because of their steep price and the question of the sustainability in acquiring them.
A few factors would come into play when it comes to determining the right type of diamond for you. For instance, lab-grown diamonds could provide wider options for a fraction of the cost but they may lose their value over time. Mined diamonds are an investment now but if you’re looking to pass them onto your kids or grandchildren, then they are the way to go.
3. Going Over Budget
When it comes to weddings, set aside a portion of your wedding budget dedicated to buying jewelry, particularly if you’re aiming for diamond jewelry. Given how diamonds are in very limited supply, it is expected that their price isn’t going to come cheap.
Do be realistic when managing your expectations. Set a budget and stick to it.
Ask the jewelry store for options that will fit your budget. Be sure to let them know your budget range to ensure you don’t end up spending more than you should. If you find it is too expensive, you could reach a compromise and go for a lower grade diamond or something smaller so you could capture the spirit of diamond jewelry without going way over budget.
4. Thinking Bigger Is Better
Like weddings, it is easy to get carried away when picking out jewelry. Instinct tells you to aim for the biggest and shiniest diamond jewelry you could find but what looks good on paper might not reflect in real life. You also have to be practical.
A large diamond ring would only look good but you might not end up being able to use it day-to-day, which would defeat its purpose. The right diamond jewelry is versatile; it should be noticeable but understated enough for everyday use. Otherwise, what’s the use of having diamond jewelry you won’t even get to wear.
5. Stressing Out Over Stopping
It may seem a simple tip but sometimes couples tend to put pressure on themselves to find the “right” diamond jewelry only to realize they did not have a good time or it ends up being a disaster. Going jewelry shopping should be a bonding opportunity for both of you and it should be treated as such. Not a chore you have to put out of the way.
That said, if you’re planning on surprising your partner with diamond jewelry, then make sure to have an idea of what style they would like. Be sure to arm yourself with a list of possible alternatives in case the make they want isn’t available.
Final thoughts: Going diamond jewelry shopping doesn’t have to be a stressful affair. Doing research beforehand ensures you could make wise decisions when it comes to buying diamond jewelry, so you can avoid common mistakes when it comes to buying one. Diamond jewelry is an investment, so ask yourself what would suit your budget and lifestyle then work from there.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Sophia Young recently quit a non-writing job to finally be able to tell stories and paint the world through her words. She loves talking about fashion and weddings and travel, but she can also easily kick ass with a thousand-word article about the latest marketing and business trends, finance-related topics, and can probably even whip up a nice heart-warming article about family life. She can totally go from fashion guru to your friendly neighborhood cat lady with mean budgeting skills and home tips real quick.