Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it safe to mail a diamond?

Absolutely. We mail diamonds all the time. When sending a diamond through the mail make sure it is insured for the full value of the item or items. If possible, make sure you ask for a return receipt. This will notify you of the time, date of delivery, and the person signing for the package. The item should be sent in a secure box that meets the requirements of the shipper you are using.

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How much should I budget for an engagement ring?

Some say you should spend three months wages. Others say as much as six months. We recommend whatever is comfortable for you. More important than how much you spend is, how you spend your money and what you buy.

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How do I know what she’ll like?

Most times men think they know what their partner will like. Then it comes to the final choice and it’s a guessing game. If you want to surprise her, buy a loose stone. Get the shape she wants at the price you can afford. Then look for the style she likes. Most women have dreamed of this ring most of their lives. She might have an idea of what she likes but can’t choose until you ask the right question.

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How do I know her ring size?

Don’t guess. If the ring can be sized after being made then take it in the stock size, which are generally 6.50. If the ring is being custom or hand made, make sure of the correct size. Enlist the help of a sister, brother or mother. It is always best to do it right the first time.

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What is the best way to care for and clean a diamond?

The diamond should be cleaned daily. Oils and dirt on the stone will affect the brilliance. Using Windex and a child’s toothbrush can clean the stone. Alternatively, you can also use any jewelry cleaner sold at your local jeweler. There are restrictions when using these and other cleaners on other gemstones. Please be careful when cleaning you jewelry items.

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What is a Diamond Grading Report or Certificate?

This will vary by company. Some are not detailed and are very ambiguous. Great care should be taken to insure that the grades listed are the grades received. To insure the best results specify that you receive a certificate from one of the following, (GIA, EGL, HRD, IGI). The first three will identify the grade of the diamond but do not address value. Generally, these three are used for loose stones. The IGI lists the value of the entire jewelry item and the grade of the stones as well as the gram weight of the item. If you are receiving one of the first three certificates with your purchase, then you will also need a separate appraisal. The second appraisal will address the value, gold, and also list the report number of the certifier. Please click on the following link and sign up for your personal password to this extensive education. Sign up for our free Book of Diamond Knowledge. If you sign up , you will not receive SPAM or be hassled; we want you to learn at your own pace.

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Why don’t all diamonds come with a certificate?

For the most part, diamonds of higher quality and larger sizes are certified. You will also find smaller high quality diamonds of high quality that have been certified. Where you won’t find certificates are the lower or promotional grades. At this level there is no return on the investment of the certification. Frequently, the higher grades are certified to insure the highest price will be paid from dealer to dealer.

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Is it safe to buy a diamond over the Internet?

Yes. DiamondKnowledge.com has one of the largest inventory of diamonds that have been graded by major independent laboratories like the Gemological Institute of America's (GIA) Gem Trade Lab, European Gemological Laboratory (EGL), Hoge Raad vor Diamont (HRD) or International Gemological Institute (IGI). Like many other major online sites, DiamondKnowledge.com takes advantage of Secure Socket Layer (SSL) data encryption technology to protect against loss, misuse, or alteration of your information. So ordering a stunning diamond from DiamondKnowledge.com is, worry-free. We use the latest encryption technology to protect your credit card information when ordering, and you pay nothing if unauthorized charges are made to your credit card without your knowledge and consent as a result of shopping at DiamondKnowledge.com.

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How do I know the diamond I receive is the quality I purchased?

At DiamondKnowledge.com, we understand how important the purchase of your diamond jewelry is. In order to assure you that you’re receiving the value and product you expect, we provide either a grading report from a well-known and well-respected independent gemological laboratory such as the GIA, EGL, AGS, HRD or IGI for all center diamonds of 1/3 ct or more, or a professional jewelry appraisal report at no charge on any jewelry item. In some cases you will recieve both. A complete listing of the stones quality and all attributes of the item are listed for you to see, before you buy. The appraisal is an estimate of the approximate retail replacement value of your jewelry item, which may be used for insurance coverage or other purposes. The appraisal report contains valuable information, including:

An accurate and complete description of the article of jewelry being appraised
The clarity, color, and carat weight of the diamond or other center stone.
The center stone's shape (pear, round, princess, emerald, etc.)
Type of setting (platinum, gold, etc.)
Name of independent laboratory certification (GIA, EGL, AGS, HRD or IGI), if applicable
Approximate current retail replacement market value

All appraisal reports from DiamondKnowledge.com are signed by our Appraiser, so you can be secure in the knowledge that the jewelry item you purchased is of the quality and value you expect.

The Diamond Grading Report is a complete evaluation of your diamond, and includes information on the 4Cs, including:

Color grade
Clarity grade
Carat weight
Cut quality (Note: not all reports grade cut)
An evaluation of the diamond's symmetry and polish
It also may comment on the diamond's fluorescence, girdle and culet, which also affect its value

A grading report may also include a diagram that “maps” the diamond's inclusions. Since each diamond is unique, the diagram acts like a fingerprint to identify that particular diamond. A diamond can be compared to its certificate to help you retrieve it if ever stolen.

It is important to note that a diamond grading report from most independent laboratories is NOT an appraisal, which estimates the monetary value of a particular item. It is simply an impartial, informed opinion made by an experienced gemologist as to the grade of the stone.

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What’s a Carat? What’s the difference between Carat and Karat?

A carat is 100 points in diamond weight. A carat is also 1/5th of a gram. It is also 1/14200th parts of an ounce. This is a very small unit of weight effecting price in a very big way. Karat, is the measure of gold purity. It has nothing to do with stone weight.

The word carat actually comes from the word carob (as in carob seeds), which is how ancient peoples measured the weight of diamonds on their scales. In 1913, the weight was standardized internationally and adapted to the metric system.

Although they can be measured when mounted in jewelry, diamonds are most accurately weighed when they are not mounted in a setting. In fact, gemological laboratories such as the Gemological Institute of America's (GIA) Gem Trade Laboratory and American Gem Society (AGS) will only grade diamonds that are un mounted.

Carat Fractions and Their Decimal Equivalents: This scale is recognized worldwide, but could vary plus or minus one point outside the USA.

Fraction		Decimal Equivalent
1/10 ct	=	.09 - .11
1/8 ct	=	.12 - .13
1/7 ct	=	.14 - .15
1/7 ct	=	.16 - .17
1/5 ct	=	.18 - .22
1/4 ct	=	.23 - .28
1/3 ct	=	.29 - .36
3/8 ct	=	.37 - .44
1/2 ct	=	.45 - .58
5/8 ct	=	.59 - .68
3/4 ct	=	.69 - .82
7/8 ct	=	.83 - .89
Lt. Ct.	=	.90 - .94
1.0 ct	=	.95 - 1.15

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What are the 4Cs?

The four C's are Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat. We can not explain this in just a paragraph or two like most sites do. We have written a Book of Diamond Knowledge to help you understand all the points of diamond quality. Please click on the following link and sign up for your personal password to this extensive education. Sign up for our free Book of Diamond Knowledge. If you sign up , you will not receive SPAM or will be hassled; we want you to learn at your own pace.

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Which of the 4Cs is the most important?

The truth is the fourth C is cost. The first 3C’s (cut, color, clarity) plus the Q for quantity are what determine the value and cost of a diamond. The thing to keep in mind is that everyone has a budget when buying a diamond. Quality must always be leveraged against quantity to keep your budget in line. It is not always easy to find a balance, but by understanding and paying attention to the things that establish price it will make it easier.

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Do you sell treated or enhanced gems? How about synthetic ones?

We do not sell any diamonds that are known to have undergone any enhancements. These would include treatments, such as clarity or color enhancing, fracture filling, or laser drilling.

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What makes 18K gold more valuable than 14K?

18 Karat gold is more pure, meaning it contains a higher percentage of gold. 18k is also hallmarked as 750 and is 75% pure gold per volume. Therefore, if you had 10 grams of 18k then 7.5 grams would be pure gold the other weight would be in alloy material. 14k is 58.5% pure gold per volume and is listed as 585. Pure gold is 24-Karat (24K) and is considered to soft on its own to use as jewelry items. Alloys are added to the gold to change its color and give it strength.

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What is white gold?

Gold used in jewelry is alloyed, or mixed, with nickel, copper and zinc to produce white gold. The color of gold goes from yellow to white as the proportion of nickel in them increases.

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What is the birthstone for my birthday?

April is the month for diamond. We at DiamondKnowledge.com have always felt that every one is special. Why is it that we give cheaper stones for one month and more expensive on others. We say all should be treated the same. All births are special and they should be remembered and acknowledged with the most precious of gems. Show the person that they are brilliant, loved, and thought of at a level that is unsurpassed by giving them a diamond.

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What stones are used for anniversaries?

1st	Gold	13th	Citrine
2nd	Garnet	14th	Opal
3rd	Pearl	15th	Ruby
4th	Blue Topaz	20th	Emerald
5th	Sapphire	25th	Silver Jubilee
6th	Amethyst	30th	Pearl Jubilee
7th	Onyx	35th	Emerald
8th	Tourmaline	40th	Ruby
9th	Lapis Lazuli	45th	Sapphire
10th	Diamond	50th	Golden Jubilee
11th	Turquoise	55th	Alexandrite
12th	Jade	50th	Diamond Jubilee