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ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS | |||||||||
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| DIAMOND
REPORTS A diamond should never be purchased without obtaining a Diamond Report from the American Gem Society or the Gemological Institute of America. This report is the "birth certificate" of your diamond and guarantees that the cut, color, clarity and carat weight are correct and accurate as represented by the seller. DIAMOND PRICING The price of diamonds is controlled by those who mine them, much like oil. And, to continue the analogy, just as there are no "deals" at the gasoline pump, there are no "deals" on diamonds. Although you may find that prices fluctuate from store to store, what is really fluctuating is quality. The best way to get a fair and equitable price on any diamond is to make sure that you get the cut grade along with color, clarity and weight. CONFLICT DIAMONDS Sadly, there is a "5th C" that is becoming prevalent in the diamond business today. It represents conflict and it is associated with diamonds from mines controlled by rebel forces in areas that include Liberia, Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone and Burkino Faso. Profits from the sale of these conflict diamonds are used to finance rebel activities that include heartbreaking human rights abuses. Buying conflict diamonds supports these atrocities, even if done so unknowingly. That’s why we obtain signed affidavits from our suppliers that diamonds purchased from them are not from such areas. WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A DIAMOND For the most part, a reputable jeweler will be invaluable in helping you select the best diamond for you. However, here are a couple of general rules to consider. Within a given budget, put as large a percentage as possible into the "eye visible" qualities (the cut and color grades) of a diamond. Cutting is critical because it reveals the beauty of a diamond through the distribution of light, thus resulting in its degree of brilliance. Color is also important, because even to the naked eye, the appearance or absence of yellow in the stone will be visible. Clarity is visible only with the use of a microscope or strong magnification. | |||||||||
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