Are you looking for a specific diamond for one of your clients? Maybe you would like to find the perfect precious stone for your engagement or wedding ring? At Uniglo Diamonds we sell a variety of diamonds, ranging from highly exclusive fancy diamonds to smaller calibrated diamonds. We are proud to say that we can assist you in your search in the language you are most comfortable in.
We invite you to discover our available diamonds through our online inventory or by taking an appointment in our beautiful showroom in the heart of Antwerp, the diamond capital. We are also available to assist you through a video call.
Our team of diamond advisors speak many different languages ranging from English, Dutch, French and Italian to Indian, Chinese, Russian and Arabic. You can easily book an appointment with us through our contact form, where you can mention your preferred language.
Start looking for your perfect diamond or tailor-made jewel today.
Would you like to know more about diamond? Visit our education page, where you can learn all about diamond.
When you decide to buy a piece of diamond jewellery, you’re not just making a purchase, but a promise – a promise of eternal love or a promise of perpetual happiness. Diamonds signify a wealth of emotions and so, when you decide to buy a diamond, it’s important to do so carefully. It isn’t a quick process, but something that ought to be given a fair amount of time.
In fact,
there are lots of common mistakes that people tend to make when they’re buying
diamonds. And we understand why. With the wide selection of jewellery stores
around and the amount of money that goes into the purchase of these sparkling
stones, it can seem like a daunting task. Under such pressure, it’s easy to
overlook a certain factor and end up making a mistake.
Once you finish reading this piece, we’re sure that you will know all about the most common diamond mistakes and will thus be able to avoid making them with ease.
Buying at the first visit
Believe it or not, this is a mistake that plenty of people end up making. They have their hearts set on a diamond that they see at the very first store or jeweller and cannot think of buying anything else. Always visit multiple outlets to compare quality and price, before you come to a final decision.
Buying from a random jeweller/store
Plenty of people believe that where they buy their diamonds from does not matter. Contrary to that notion, where you buy your diamond from, is key! There are a couple of people in the market who aren’t completely reliable and who make a living out of trying to trick new customers. So, always opt for a trusted brand or jeweller, with a clean track record.
Being inflexible
Ir’s often easy to get carried away by all the things you’ve read up on diamond grading. Because of your extensive research, you may want to settle for only an H VS1 graded diamond, in spite of the fact that you may have to compromise on cut or size. Remember – when your beautiful diamond is set in a beautiful ring, nobody will know whether it’s VS1 or VS2. So, instead of compromising on your cut or size, learn to be flexible and to work with your budget to find the best possible solution, without having to compromise on quality.
Believing in every diamond report
It’s important to understand that every diamond report is not the same. You cannot trust diamond reports from each and every ‘lab’ or ‘institute’. A lot of such labs have tie-ups with dealers or retailers that’s not favourable for you as a customer. Put your trust in diamond grading reports from non-profit institutions such as the GIA. This is one of the few institutions that even industry professionals trust. And so should you.
Buying a deeply cut diamond
Many people have been known to be drawn towards deeply cut diamonds, because a lot of jewellers or stores tend to put them up on display. Such diamonds actually carry a vast chunk of their carat weight ‘hidden’ in their depth, as against their width. Because they’re so poorly cut, they’re not very expensive and you may be tempted further to make the purchase. But if you do so, what you probably might be doing is buying a 1.00 carat diamond that in fact resembles a .90 carat diamond owing to the fact that it’s deeply cut.
Buying a diamond without viewing it in natural light
Jewellery
stores always have the best lighting, designed to make diamonds look absolutely
stunning. So, before you purchase the diamond you’ve liked, ask to view the
diamond in natural light. You could take it outside the store with prior
permission or away from the standard showroom lights, such as a storage area or
a back-office. If there’s an atrium or a skylight in the store, take it there
and view it under direct sunlight to see how it’s really going to look once
you’ve made the purchase.
Being unaware of warranties and guarantees
More often than not, jewellers offer up warranties or guarantees with your purchase. If this is the case, ask to see this warranty or guarantee in writing. It’s also important to confirm what this warranty promises, apart from the standard free cleaning service or a general inspection. Check if the guarantee covers loss or damage, or even theft. Read the fine print before you make the purchase.
Not doing your research
When it comes to any kind of important purchase, educating yourself is a must. And this is especially true when it comes to buying diamonds. Educate yourself on what the 4Cs really mean and on all the other factors you must consider when buying a diamond. If you don’t do your research thoroughly, the chances of making a mistake are a lot higher.
Believing that bargaining hard gets you a lower price
This is something that occurs on a large scale in India. People often believe that they’re excellent at negotiating and convincing sellers to lower the price of a commodity. While that may work for smaller purchases, it does not work well when it comes to buying jewellery. If you’re buying a diamond which has a valid certificate and a gradient that you’re happy with, it’s going to have a fixed price and a fair one at that, that’s usually arrived upon by an umbrella organisation. If you’re still aiming at a lower price, you may have to consider compromising on quality.
By now,
you’ve probably discovered which of these mistakes you’ve been making. So, the
next time you set out to buy a diamond, consider browsing through our handy
little guide again, so that you don’t end up making the same mistake twice. You
can thank us later.
Are you considering selling your old diamond ring? Perhaps the idea has taken root in your mind. And perhaps, you’re wondering where to start. While the whole process of selling a diamond might seem to be very confusing, reading a detailed guide such as ours, on how to sell your diamonds, can perhaps just make things a little easier.
So, if you’re wondering how to go about the entire process of selling your diamond jewellery, this is a good place to begin. And while a ‘diamond is forever’, sometimes, you need to let go of that thought to sell your jewellery! Our guide aims to equip you with all the right information so that you can sell your diamonds in the right manner, without getting fleeced. Read on.
First things first
Before you even begin to sell your diamond, you must know what it’s worth, i.e., you must know its value. For this, you will have to obtain its grading report, such as an GIA, HRD and IGI report. Remember – these reports will not tell you how much to sell your diamond for, but will give you all the information you need to know before you sell it. From the diamond’s cut and clarity to its carat, colour and even its fluorescence, this detailed report helps you compare your diamond jewellery with other pieces of jewellery having very similar traits. However, if the report is over ten years old, you might want to obtain a new one, in keeping with the changing standards. Your diamond will have to be sent over to one of the reputed grading labs (GIA,HRD and IGI), where it will be appraised by professionals. What’s also important to keep in mind is that you’re looking at the ‘resale’ value of your diamond, as against its ‘retail’ value.
The right price
This is one of the most important factors when it comes to selling your diamond. Refrain from setting unrealistic prices, unless you want the diamond to stick around in your jewellery box forever! If you set exorbitant, unrealistic rates for selling, chances are you’re going to be disappointed. To set a right price, what you could do is ask the appraiser what your diamond would be worth in a specific market. Because most appraisers are well-versed with the current market trends, they’ll be able to guide you through the whole process of arriving at a good resale price. Or, you could do it yourself. How? By comparing your diamonds with ones that have already been sold on online sites, or in retail stores. However, we’d recommend taking the help of an appraiser when it comes to setting the right sale price.
Look at your options
When you’re preparing to sell a vital piece of jewellery, it’s
always good to take in all your options. You could look at selling it to a jeweller
whom you both know and trust. Or, you could be opting for a diamond buyback
service. Some even turn to private buyers. Each option comes with its own
benefits, but you’re the one who will know what’s best for you. But, when
you’re choosing to sell your diamond to a jeweller or a buyback service, make
sure that they’re transparent and professional. Perhaps you could speak to
customers who’ve opted for their services and understand first-hand, if this
will work for you, before you go ahead.
Certification matters
If your diamond does not come with a GIA,HRD and IGI certification, it won’t be considered as certifiable. However, having such certification will only raise the value of your diamond. But this is only true for the GIA,HRD and IGI. If your diamond has an different certification for instance, it will not raise its value. Always remember that the one trusted certification body is the GIA,HRD and IGI. If you don’t have this certification, you could send it across to be certified, but that means shelling out a considerable sum of money and is not absolutely necessary. Additionally, if a jeweller or any third party offers to certify your diamond without any GIA,HRD and IGI certificate, you’d best get away from there!
Detach before you sell
While this particular factor may seem trivial, it’s really not.
Never, ever sell a piece of diamond jewellery if you aren’t ready to. These
pieces often have a certain emotional value attached to them and so, it becomes
difficult to come to terms with the idea of parting with them. There are
stories aplenty of people who sell off their diamond jewellery in a hurry (for
a small prize) and regret it later. So, always make sure that you’re
emotionally detached when selling your diamonds. Or else, you won’t be able to
make practical decisions.
Ask questions
If you’ve done your research thoroughly, you’re probably already sitting with a list of people you can sell your diamonds to. Before you visit them, make a list of all the questions that you have in mind. For instance, you can ask them about their payment process. Ask them if you can get in touch with any of their previous customers, so that you know how trustworthy they are. Remember – selling your diamond jewellery is an important decision, so never sell without having all the answers in place.
Talk to experts
Instead of asking local jewellers and stores for their opinion on selling your diamond, consult with the experts. Speak to someone who has a certain level of expertise in gemology, since they are the ones who understand pricing and valuation of these stones far better. And if you happen to be looking at selling diamonds in rare colours such as blue or red, taking an expert’s opinion becomes absolutely vital, since evaluating these rare coloured diamonds requires special knowledge.
So, now that you know exactly what to consider before you sell
your diamond, go ahead and do it, but always proceed with caution!
When you set out to buy a diamond, it’s
no easy task. It’s not something you can tick off your list in the matter of a
few hours. In fact, buying a diamond requires you to be at your most attentive.
There are after all, a number of factors to consider. Take diamond
certification, for starters.
One of the most pressing issues when it
comes to buying a diamond is the whole concept of diamond certification. Who is
the one in charge, who is assigned the job of ‘certifying’ your diamond? Should
you always buy a ‘certified diamond’? Is one diamond certificate far better
than another?
Well, first things first. Let’s begin
by explaining what these two words (diamond certification) actually mean.
Diamond Certification, broken down
Diamond Certification is essentially a
document that is given to you by an objective third party lab. This document
tends to list out each and every characteristic of your diamond. These
certifications generally come from labs such as the GIA, the IGI, the HRD and
more.
Whenever you’re considering the
purchase of a diamond, you must also receive and go through its lab
certification. This certificate from the lab is issued by a grading body,
listing out several key traits and elements of the diamond you’re considering
buying. This includes the cut, the colour and even the general width and length
of the gem.
How does this happen? Well, you have
expertly trained groups of professionals who look through each diamond with a
fine-tooth comb, if you will. They use only the most professional tools to
analyse, evaluate and measure out the diamonds. These tools range from a
microscope to a loupe.
IGI – What is it?
One among these many entities is the
International Gemmological Institute, or the IGI. Following stringent
international standards, a report from this body provides you with an accurate
assessment of your diamond’s colour, cut, clarity and carat weight.
In the beginning, the IGI was the most
renowned lab when it came to the larger jewellery chains in places like Canada,
the USA and more. It is said that the IGI works like a horse – fast and
efficient. Their prices are often better than those listed out by other
entities. This is what makes them so appealing to diamond sellers.
An IGI diamond report also comes in
different formats and can be presented in different ways. They are often
personalised to cater to a large chunk of consumers scattered across the globe.
Undoubtedly, IGI is a name that people do trust in the wide world of gems.
The IGI report.
Why is it so important?
If you seem to be wondering why you
need to be well-equipped with such information, we’ll tell you why. When you
buy a diamond, you ought to be confident about it.
Who can provide you with said confidence?
Diamond certification, of course. An IGI Certificate will clearly and
transparently tell you the details of any and every item that it comes with.
And this is what brings in the confidence for both buyers and sellers. An
authentic IGI Laboratory Report is synonymous with confidence and trust,
anywhere in the world. That’s exactly why an IGI Certification is so important
and why it should be an integral part of all diamond transactions.
The IGI Jewellery Identification Report
Interesting fact: IGI was the very
first lab that brought in jewellery identification reports. As such, it prides
itself on being the leader in its field today. But what do these reports do?
Well, an IGI Jewellery Identification
Report gives you expert and an unbiased analysis of your gemstone. Right from
its colour and its clarity to its carat weight and the mounting details, it
lists it all. The IGI provides clear documentation and photographs against
every item that you purchase. These photographs are vital in such jewellery
identification reports because they show you details of the craftsmanship that
may not be witnessed otherwise.
How does it help you?
An IGI certified diamond or an IGI
Jewellery Identification report for that matter, can help you in many ways.
First off, it will ease any anxiety that you may have while making a purchase,
as it is one of the most trusted names in the gemmological world.
Secondly, it leaves you with the
authority to focus on finding and discovering just what you want, with complete
assurance as to the quality and the nobility of this certificate that you now
hold.
The 4 Cs
IGI understands the value of every
diamond and its 4 Cs. To the uninitiated, the 4 Cs mean Carat, Colour, Clarity
and Cut.
On the IGI scale, carat accuracy stands
at 1/100,000 carat. This carat weight is extremely precise. When it comes to
colour, diamonds vary in their hues. They could be completely colourless or
could also be a slight yellow or brown. IGI has a colour grade for diamonds in
the D-Z range (the most unique and most expensive diamonds in the colourless
range) with the diamond face-down. They use neutral environments so that their
results and reports are absolutely precise.
Speaking of clarity, there are two
kinds – inclusions and blemishes. Inclusions are inherent characteristics of
the gem, while blemishes are external. The grading reports by the IGI display
accurate diagrams of these clarity traits. Red means internal and green means
external.
Finally, the cut. The cutting
precision, finishing details and other factors can change the whole appearance
of your diamond. From refraction to brilliance, dispersion to scintillation,
all these come together to create the final diamond – the way you see it.
IGI vs GIA
The Gemmological Institute of America
(GIA) is also a very respectable diamond grading body. But how does it differ
from the IGI?
GIA is thought of as the industry
standard for loose solitaire diamonds above 0.18 carats. Moreover, its grading
standards are said to be far more consistent than those of the IGI.
Usually, the IGI grade is considered to
be half to one grade better than a GIA grade. What that means is that a VS1
grade in GIA might be a VVS2 grade in IGI. Simply put, GIA has stricter grading
standards than IGI.
IGI vs HRD
The HRD is the Diamond High Council, or the “Hoge Raad voor Diamant”. HRD Antwerp’s, founded in 1973, greatly represents the diamond industry in Belgium. The general standards of the HRD Labs are considered to be similar to those employed by the GIA. They are also completely reliable, as they follow the grading rules put in place by the International Diamond Council.
In reality, the shape, clarity and size
are nearly the same across all labs. Speaking of colour grading, GIAs standard
is half a color stricter than HRD or IGI. For instance, if a diamond’s colour
is graded J in the GIA, it could very well be graded J or even better, in HRD
or IGI.
Uniglo Diamonds offers GIA, IGI and HRD Certified Diamonds.
