Many people dream of purchasing a diamond ring for themselves or as a gift, but the cost can be prohibitive. Fortunately, with a bit of planning and the right jeweler, it is possible to purchase top quality diamonds at an affordable price. The key is to shop around and compare prices and quality at multiple stores, whether in-store or online. By taking the time to do this, you can ensure that you are getting a great value for your money.
Setting a Budget
Determine your budget before you begin shopping Breslauer & Warren Jewellers – Calgary, Alberta and stick to it. This will help you narrow down your options and prevent overspending. It is also a good idea to prioritize the 4Cs and decide what you are willing to compromise on in order to get the diamond of your dreams. For example, if you want a high color grade but can’t afford to go above D, consider a G-H color instead of an I. A slightly lower color grade will still appear colorless to the naked eye and can save you hundreds of dollars per carat.
Shopping at a Major Jeweler
If you’re shopping for a diamond, be sure to visit several different jewelry stores. This will give you the opportunity to compare prices and quality, and it may be possible to find a better deal at a smaller store or an independent retailer. In addition, you can take advantage of any discounts or promotions that may be available.
Choosing a Different Shape
The round brilliant cut is by far the most popular diamond shape, but it’s not necessarily the best one for your budget. Other shapes can be just as beautiful and sparkley, but they often come in at a fraction of the price. For example, a 0.75 carat princess cut diamond can look just as big in a halo setting as a 1 carat diamond, but will cost you hundreds of dollars less.
Buying a Smaller Carat Weight
A larger carat weighs more, so it’s usually more expensive. However, it’s important to remember that a diamond’s size is only part of its beauty. The other factors, such as color and clarity, are equally as important to a diamond’s overall appearance.
Purchasing a lab-created diamond
The popularity of lab-created gems has opened the diamond market up to people who thought it was out of their price range. However, it has taken years for lab-created diamonds to match the luster of mined diamonds and some consumers are uncomfortable with the inability to resell their synthetic stones once they’ve worn them.
Blue Nile and James Allen are renowned for selling a wide variety of top quality lab-created diamonds at affordable prices. Both companies sell a selection of round brilliant and princess cut lab-created diamonds in a number of different colors and clarity grades, including VS2 and I1. They also offer a “Rap Price” for each of these diamonds, which is an estimate of their value based on a combination of their grading, color, clarity, and carat weight.