This guide was created in a practical sense for those who are wishing to make the best diamond investment by selecting a diamond that is more affordable, greater in size, and exceptional in overall brilliance and quality.

It is important to realize that the cost of diamonds continues to rise. In this sense the value of the diamond you select will likely rise over the period of years you own it. Although diamonds are usually purchased for their intrinsic beauty and personal enjoyment, there is an element of potential appreciation that comes with the diamond you decide to purchase.

Certified-Plus Diamonds has provided charts showing diamond price performance over the past 10 years showing three quarter, one carat, two carat, and three carat round diamonds. These charts show the average percentage of price increases diamonds have made at average dealer costs in a variety of qualities since 1986. You can see from the charts that the qualities that have appreciated in value the most are qualities of F, G and H, I in Color and VS1, VS2 and SI1, SI2 in clarity. The exceptionally rare qualities of D and E color and IF and VVS clarity grades have seen less value increases due to their high cost and lower demand.

Certified-Plus Diamond Buyer Quality Recommendations:

Extremely Quality Conscious Buyer - Very Fine to Ideal Cut, F Color, VS1 Clarity Grade

Very Quality Conscious Buyer - Very fine to Ideal Cut, G color VS2 Clarity Grade

Quality Conscious Buyer (offers more diamond size) - Fine to Ideal Cut, H-I Color, SI1-SI2

Certified-Plus Diamonds believes that the most important element in a diamond's beauty is its cut or proportions. Cut quality is solely responsible for a diamond's brilliance. A diamond, which lacks proper cut, will not have the sparkle as a finely cut diamond. Because diamonds are loved mainly for the element of sparkle they create, Certified-Plus Diamonds believes that only diamonds having very fine cut should be considered for purchase. To ensure that you select the best cut diamond, it is important that know important details regarding the shape and cut of the diamond you wish to purchase. This information is provided to you in detail by using Certified-Plus Diamonds' Diamond Information Search Engine.

It must be noted that individual people have greatly differing tastes in diamonds. Some people will select only the rarest of diamond quality while others are just as happy with much lower quality. The recommendations that Certified-Plus Diamonds offers are only a guide. You must make the decision what diamond is best suited for you.

Certified Plus-Diamonds puts diamond color as the second most important element to consider when selecting a diamond. Color refers to a diamond's degree of transparency or colorlessness. The less color a diamond has, the brighter it will appear to the viewer's eye. Certified-Plus Diamonds recommends that you select a diamond which has a GIA color grade between F and H. Diamonds within these grades appear white to the eye and are more affordable in price than the ultra rare D and E qualities. Certified-Plus Diamonds does not recommend selecting a diamond below GIA color grade I. Although dramatically less in price, the diamond would possess a noticeable tint of yellow or brown color.

Certified-Plus Diamond puts a diamond's clarity grade third in degree of importance when selecting a diamond for quality. This decision is based on the fact that diamonds with clarity grades between IF (Internally Flawless) and SI2 (Slightly Included 2) can only be differentiated under magnification. Flaws or inclusions are not visible to the eye yet the prices differ greatly. Certified-Plus Diamonds recommends clarity grades between VS1 and SI2. These clarity grades provide beauty as well as more affordability. Certified diamonds does not recommend purchasing diamonds with GIA clarity grades I1, I2 or I3 (Imperfect Diamonds). These diamonds have flaws that can be seen to the eye.

If you have further questions regarding the selection of your diamond, please feel free to call and speak to one of our Certified Gemologist-Appraisers at 1-800-766-7119.