By following a few simple rules, you can purchase diamond earrings at a reasonable price without sacrificing quality. The first rule is that you have to know something. If you know your jeweler, you do not have to know diamonds since you can trust him. If you know diamonds, you don’t have to know the dealer since you can spot a poor quality stone or setting a mile off. If you know both your dealer and the diamond business, you are in the catbird seat and can proceed to buy inexpensive diamond earrings with full confidence.

To get to know your dealer, ask your friends. Get recommendations from as many people as possible, check out the Better Business Bureau for any complaints about him, look on the Internet for any stories, positive or negative, about his business practices. Once you’ve decided to consider
a jeweler, talk to him for a while. Get to know the clientele he serves and the type of merchandise he sells. Ask to see the diamond grading report on some of the products you are interested in. If he stalls, or doesn’t even have one, he’s probably not the dealer you want. This certificate will report on the stone’s dimensions, clarity, color, polish, symmetry, and other characteristics; and may also include information of the cutting of the stone.

If you want to learn about diamonds, two excellent resources are the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or American Gem Society Laboratories (AGSL). Both offer online instruction for the casual student, as well as certificate-based training for the more serious learner.

In conclusion, with a little knowledge you can keep the glitter on your ears while leaving the heft in your pocketbook.