The first and possibly the most important step is to find a good jeweller, with whom you feel comfortable. The jeweller should be knowledgeable about diamonds and be able to provide you with the information you require.
 
The jeweller should first explain the significance of a diamond’s four Cs, namely carat, clarity, colour and cut. Diamonds increase in value as the grade of each of four Cs increases, but this leaves you with a variety of choice. Do you prefer a larger stone with a lower clarity grade? Or do you prefer a smaller stone but with a high clarity, colour and cut grade?
 
The shape of the diamond is also a factor. Round diamond shapes are favoured by about three quarters of jewellery buyers, but there is also a range of fancy shapes that are very popular. On occasion a fancy shaped diamond will appear larger than a round stone of similar weight, and at other times a particular shape will complement the jewellery design.
 
Diamond jewellery is sometimes set with a single stone, or solitaire, and on occasion a single diamond will be offset by side stones, which may also be diamonds or alternatively coloured gemstones. First diamond purchases are often engagement rings, but they may be necklaces, earrings, brooches or even cufflinks and tiepins.
 
To verify a diamond sale, a buyer may request a diamond grading report, which is a document prepared by a qualified diamond grading laboratory that accurately describes the diamond’s four Cs, as well as other properties. A grading report does not include an assessment of jewellery item’s value. For that purpose the buyer can request an appraisal report.
 
Certain diamonds have been treated so as to improve or change their clarity and colour. The value of a treated diamond is not the same as that of an equivalent untreated diamond and it must be disclosed as being treated at the point of sale. The vast majority of diamonds were created million of years ago deep below the earth’s surface, but it is possible today to purchase synthetic diamonds that were created in a laboratory or factory. They too need to be disclosed at the point of sale.
 
All rough diamonds entering the market legitimately today are accompanied by Kimberley Process Certificates, meaning that they were not associated with any form of conflict. Jewellery retailers who buy their diamonds from reputable traders in countries that are members of the Kimberley Process are able to guarantee that jewellery they sell are conflict diamond free.