Engagement Rings

Diamond engagement rings are often seen as the ultimate symbol of love and commitment, but for many men they also bring anxiety and fear. How do you know you’re getting the best deal? What style ring should you get? Can you trust the diamond you’re getting is really the quality the jeweler says it is?

Quick Tips:

1) Never buy the ring and the diamond together.

While there is nothing wrong with buying the diamond and the ring from the same jeweler, don’t make the mistake of overpaying for the diamond or the ring separately by not understanding of what each cost on their own and doing comparison shopping.

2) Always require a GIA or AGS lab report for your diamond.

While most jewelers are honest, some unfortunately are not; some will knowingly sell diamonds that they know are inaccurately graded. These diamonds come from lower tier labs such as EGL, IGI, etc. Don’t let them otherwise convince you that the stone they are selling is great diamond at a rock bottom price. While it may be true some lower tier labs do grade accurately from time to time, the rarest and most expensive gems are only traded in confidence by jewelers when they are accompanied by a GIA or AGS grading report.

3) There is no such as thing as a diamond wholesaler / retailer.

Jewelers either sell wholesale or retail, not both. In fact it is illegal and a deceptive business practice for a jeweler to claim to sell both.

While is true that margins vary from dealer to dealer, it’s amazing how many consumers believe they can buy diamonds at “wholesale” prices or below. Diamonds are a commodity and while the occasional deal may surface every once and while when various retailers are compared, diamond buyers will always deal with a diamond retailer.