Buying Loose Diamonds: 4 Tips Before You Choose a Diamond

If you want to buy a diamond, it’s important to use the 4C’s (cut, color, carat, and clarity) to assess its quality. 

First, determine the diamond cut. The cut is the arrangement of each diamond’s facets. It’s what creates your diamond's shine i.e. how your diamond reflects and refracts light. There are three primary cut styles: step, brilliant, and mixed. However, the most important aspect of the cut is the cut quality as this determines the diamond's appearance and quality of reflection. VRAI exclusively offers excellent quality cuts to ensure optimal brilliance. 

Next, consider the diamond color. Diamonds are given a color grade based on the absence or presence of color. The Diamond Color Scale uses D-F to indicate Colorless Diamonds, G-J for Near Colorless, and K-M for Faintly Colored. The less color a diamond has, the rarer it is. 

Another important factor when selecting a loose diamond is the diamond carat. The carat is the weight of the diamond, not the size. Higher carat weight can indicate how rare the diamond is and also affects the price. Keep in mind that different diamond shapes will affect how the diamond’s carat weight is displayed. A 3-carat loose diamond or a 2-carat loose diamond won’t necessarily look 2-3 times bigger than a  1-ct loose diamond.

Finally, consider diamond clarity. Diamond clarity is determined by the number of inclusions a diamond has, most of which cannot be seen by the naked eye. Diamond experts use a diamond clarity chart to measure a diamond’s clarity grade. 

When choosing a loose diamond, the price should be evaluated. Loose diamonds make it easier to understand the true worth of the diamond and confirm that the price reflects that. 

The price of your diamond will depend on where you bought it, its quality, and the 4C’s. This diamond table can help you find and compare the price of VRAI created diamonds based on the 4C’s. You can use this to easily select a stunning loose diamond within your budget.  

When selecting a loose diamond, it’s essential to choose certified loose diamonds. Diamonds are an important purchase so it’s important to understand diamond certification to ensure you are only investing in the best. Diamond certification means your diamond was thoroughly evaluated by a certified gemologist using diamond grading. This determines the value of your diamonds. 

However, most diamond grading reports don’t offer a guarantee or warranty for your diamonds. That’s why we provide a GIA-trained Gemologist Grading Report warranted by VRAI. This means that we offer a full lifetime warranty and certification guaranteeing the grade of your VRAI created diamond. 

Lastly, you’ll want to consider your loose diamond shape. The shape of the diamond dictates its appearance. This is the most important factor in finding a loose diamond that best reflects your personality and unique style. Some popular loose diamond shapes are: