When you purchase a diamond, you want to make sure you make the right choice. Purchasing a diamond is not like purchasing some clothing that you can just take back and return. Purchasing a diamond is more like purchasing a house; you are purchasing something that you cannot easily return and you are purchasing something precious, which is why you need to make sure you make the right purchase. When choosing a loose diamond, which you can put into a setting, you need to know what you are doing.

Know What Carat Weight You Need

First, you need to know what carat weight you need. The weight of the carat can directly impact the price of the carat, which is why you need to know how big of a diamond you want to purchase. If you are purchasing the diamond for someone else, find out how big of a diamond they want. Do they want a nice, small diamond? Or do they really want a big diamond? Personal preference can really vary, and bigger is not better if the person does not like it.

Know the Shape You Are Looking for

Once you know the carat that you want, you need to figure out what shape you want. The shape will impact the price of the diamond as well as your ability to put the diamond into a different piece. You need to go with a diamond that will allow you to finish out the design you have in mind.

A round diamond is common, but it is also an expensive cut. There are other fancy shapes that you can choose from that are generally more affordable. Know the shape you want to purchase before you start shopping around.

Know the Clarity You Want

Next, you need to know the clarity of the diamond. The clarity is judged based on a binary grade. It is something that is determined by judgment from the naked eye. The truth is that the clearer the diamond is, the more expensive the diamond is going to be. Not everyone wants to have a clear diamond. This is one of those things that you may want to judge by looking at the diamond.

When you want to purchase a loose diamond, you need to know the weight, shape, and clarity that you are looking for before you go shopping. Knowing these things before you go shopping will help you make the right purchasing choice and will help you set the right budget.