How to Alleviate Stress When Buying LA Diamonds

Few people shopping around the Los Angeles Jewelry District for a diamond engagement ring go into the process with an unlimited budget in mind. Nor do many people set off for the store with the clear desire to buy a large diamond with a D color grade with no inclusions and that is cut to a perfect brilliance. For the average Joe, shopping for a diamond is stressful enough without those kinds of pressures. Most men (and women) simply want a pretty diamond that’s at least large enough that they don’t need a magnifying glass to see it. Because there are so many factors to consider when buying a diamond, by learning which ones you value the most, you can be assured that you’ll end up with a gorgeous ring that you can afford. Sure, you may have to make a few sacrifices on one or two aspects of the diamond, but if you buy your engagement ring in the Los Angeles Jewelry District you will definitely end up with a ring you love.

Finding That Budget LA Diamond

For the budget conscious LA diamond buyer, there are many things you can look for that can make your not-so-expensive ring seem bigger and better than you would at first expect to get within your price range. First, you’re shopping for that diamond in the right place. There is no other place in the U.S. that has such a concentration of jewelry stores than the LA jewelry district. Many jewelers sell their diamonds at wholesale prices. Perhaps more important is the quality of the stores—these are people who really know their stuff when it comes to selling diamonds. If you have a budget, chances are you’ll find an expert who can help you make the best choice for you and your fiancé. Don’t be shy about telling the jeweler what you budget is, but don’t have unrealistic expectations, either. You’re not going to find a five carat LA diamond ring with great color and cut for under $2,000.

What to Look For When Shopping In the LA Jewelry District

As a consumer, you need to be smart about buying a diamond in the LA jewelry district. If a deal appears to be too good to be true, it is. You could be buying a ring that’s of questionable quality or you could even be buying a synthetic ring. That’s not a budget buy, that’s a rip-off. You can find budget buys even in the best stores in the district, but you need to know what you’re looking for in addition to going to a reputable dealer. You probably know that diamonds are priced based on four criteria—color, cut, carat, and clarity. Most men walk into a jewelry store wanting the biggest diamond their money can buy. That doesn’t mean breaking the bank. It means being smart about diamond buying and knowing what to look for. That way, you’ll find that budget diamond in the LA jewelry district more easily.

Two Ways to Buy A Budget LA Diamond: Smart Settings and Lesser Clarity

When buying an LA diamond, you get a better bang for your buck if you do two things: look for a diamond with a lesser clarity grade, and look for settings that make a smaller ring appear more impressive. A diamond’s clarity grade is determined by the number of inclusions or mineral deposits in the gem and can be sacrificed because it is one characteristic that has little to do with the appearance of the ring. In most cases, flaws cannot be seen by the naked eye, which allows you to buy a larger ring than you might think. The two most important characteristics of a ring—the things that make a ring look sparkly and brilliant—are color and cut. But the setting also has a lot to do with how impressive a ring looks. One particular setting, the halo setting, is a larger diamond surrounded by smaller diamonds. This setting makes any LA diamond appear larger than it actually is—making that particular setting a “bargain buy.”

More Information

To learn more about the 4 Cs, how LA diamonds are priced, or how to budget, stop by the family-owned and operated Icing on the Ring to visit with one of several diamond experts that call our store home. Call 888-565-6150 to speak with us now.