Always purchase quality over size. You will wish you did some time afterward. My saying is "I would rather sell you a fine quarter carat, instead of an inferior half carat! I have sold diamonds for over 50 years. You can clean a fine diamond and its brilliance returns, but you can use the strongest Ultrasonic Machine in the world and never bring that type of brilliance to an inferior low quality diamond.

Choose a good Color of diamond such as a G to H Color; try to choose a Clarity of SI1 at least. Needless to say choosing better than this will only make both parties involved happier in the years to come. Always remember that in this case for sure, size is not the issue.

Choose a reputable Jeweler. There is usually at least one surviving in each town. I am not trying to say that the larger chain stores are not a good store to purchase from. It is only my opinion, since I grew up working in an independent family own jewelry store and know how we buy and sell.

How much to spend on your diamond purchase?

One of the first things you should figure out is how much you want to spend on the diamond. You should never go beyond your means. If you do, it will take most of the enjoyment out of the purchase. After all, to purchase a diamond is to purchase one of the rarest Gemstones on earth! Not only is it the rarest, it is still considered the most beautiful, because of it's brilliance! I always say, "I would rather sell you a fine quarter carat, than an inferior half carat! Always sacrifice size for brilliance. You will be happier in the end!

Some say that you should spend 2 to 3 months salary on your purchase of your diamond. You should also understand that some diamond shapes cost more than others. Certain stores charge more than other stores so be sure to find you a reputable independent jewelry store that is known to Wheel and deal, so to speak.