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Common Myths About Diamonds Part II
1.
A LAB GRADED DIAMOND MUST BE A GOOD DIAMOND.
I can’t even
count how many jewelry stores I’ve gone in to and asked a
jewelry salesperson if a particular diamond is good, only to hear, "Sir
it must be good it has been graded by Laboratory XYZ! And only
the best diamonds in the world can come with this lab grading report!"
Give me a break, any lab anywhere in the world will grade and
any diamond sent to them. Pure bred or rabid dog it doesn’t
make a difference to them. The labs just want their fee.
2.
AN IDEAL CUT DIAMOND IS IDEAL.
In the 1960’s
jewelers would toss around the term "perfect" like they
were passing out candy. "Sir, this is a perfect diamond",
"Ma’am, this is a perfectly fine diamond" or "Heck,
this diamond is just plain perfect!" The FTC eventually stepped
in and said the term was just plain misleading. Jewelers argued
that they should have the right to call anything perfect that in
their opinion was perfect to them.
They were overruled;
the FTC passed a guideline that said only a D Flawless well cut
diamond could brandish the label of "Perfect". The jewelers
changed their pitch. Forty years later we are hearing the same thing.
"Sir, this is an ideal cut diamond", "Ma’am,
this is an ideally fine diamond" and finally, "This diamond
is exactly cut, it is ideal!" Only one problem, FTC hasn’t
stepped in yet. And until they do there will be over 100 interpretations
of ideal. But don’t be fooled, it’s easy to identify the
scammers. They are the ones that insist that total depths can exceed
61% for rounds and non-rectangular fancies.
They are the ones
that insist on tiny tables for Rounds and giant tables for Emerald
Cuts. They insist that these measurements are ideal, and I guess
in some respects they are ideal in increasing the weight of the
diamond so their bottom line goes up. Want Ideal? Be more specific
and ask what class of cut a diamond is. In that arena there are
hard and fast rules.
3.
GREAT SYMMETRY EQUALS GREAT PROPORTIONS.
For the most part
symmetry refers to the arrangement of the facets on the diamond,
length to width ratios, out of roundness and inline culets. Symmetry
excellent or otherwise does not infer great proportions or the
relationship between crown and pavilion angles. If any salesman
tries to imply
that just because the symmetry on the lab grading report is good
or better means it must be a well-proportioned stone it’s
time to leave.
4.
ONLY A DIAMOND CAN CUT GLASS.
There are a numerous
of things that can cut glass. From synthetic diamonds to glass
itself. Anyone who suggests that the best way to prove a diamond
is real
is to rub it against glass should have their head examined. This
wives’ tale should stay just that.
5.
A JEWELER WILL TEND TO MOUNT HIS BEST DIAMONDS IN READY TO GO SETTINGS
On the contrary,
a jeweler will always premount his worst diamonds in settings. That
way he can hide any chips under prongs and make it impossible for
you to get an exact color and weight measurement. Always remember
a jeweler’s best diamonds are in his safe and the only way
to see them is to ask for them to be brought out.
by Fred Cuellar,
author of the best-selling book "How to Buy a Diamond." More questions?
Ask the Diamond Guy®
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