In these modern times, it is commonplace for a shopper to turn to Google to steer them in the right direction. When it comes to diamonds for an engagement ring, search engines are increasingly likely to direct you toward lab-created, manufactured diamonds on the idea that they are, supposedly, an ethical alternative. Unfortunately, the product being sold is not comparable to a diamond and their inevitable, often sudden, drop in value continues to leave many buyers with a sense of being duped. Before buying your engagement ring, an item that is to represent your relationship, it is important to know the facts.
Modern designer engagement rings are held to incredibly high standards of authenticity and value. If you are looking to purchase a ring from one of these sought after designers, such as Tacori, you can be confident that it is certain to be of fantastic quality. That is because these designers work with certification authorities such as the International Gemological Institute (IDI), American Gemological Society (AGS), or Gemological Institute of America (GIA).
These are the initialisms that will (or certainly should) appear with each diamond purchased. The institutes use the most powerful technology as well as uphold the most rigorous standards to authenticate each stone. Working the timeless standards of the four Cs (carat, color, cut, and clarity), the certification will assure the most integral profile of your diamond. With this certification, you will have the most certain understanding of the diamond’s value. Not only is this important to you, but also your insurer. This is an estimate that, as history tells us, maintains its value across decades. Alternative diamonds, however, fail to say the same.
Cultured and synthetic diamonds inevitably fall in value. The nature of their market, one where scarcity is no factor, means that, as more are produced, they become less valuable. Despite being described as ethical alternatives, this is seldom told. Purchasing a man-made ring is a risky investment, which is why reputable modern ring designers continue to avoid them.
It is almost non-existent for a diamond to be sold within the United States without having been held to incredibly high ethical standards. The IDI, AGS, and GIA each support the Kimberley Certification Process Scheme, which continues to approve that the diamonds are conflict-free. Your jeweler will be able to offer documentation of your chosen diamond’s history, describing each step from mining to sale. This is another reason why searching online may be misleading. More often opinions are written by those who have little experience within the diamond industry or little idea of how it really works. Reputation and expertize should always be referred to.
Your online research should lead you only to the experts. Find a modern engagement ring designer or jeweler who has the expertize of the industry. They will not only be able to give you official and accurate documentation with each diamond, but they will also be able to advise you on the most perfect ring for your proposal.