The holiday season is in full swing and with the barrage of advertisements, traffic, crowded malls and nearly impossible to find parking spots, consumers are out and about looking for that “perfect gift” for that “special someone” all at “a great deal.” While the overwhelming amounts of stress can sometimes take away from the magic of this time of year, at their very core, the holidays are when we set aside time for friendship, family and gift giving.
One can’t help but wonder – what happens to those same old gifts we give each year? You know what gifts I’m talking about – those pairs of slippers, the robes, the cozy pajamas and the gift certificates? How many slippers, robes or pajamas does one person really need? Even electronic gifts are improved upon with the latest and greatest version just a few months later.
So what’s the solution? Get the same thing and hope your loved ones will like it and be happy no matter what? Sit back and watch as they pretend to enjoy the same gift they’ve received year after year?
In two words: absolutely not.
This year, make the holidays timeless and special with a gift that will be remembered forever – diamonds.
I know the word “diamonds” can often trigger a knee-jerk reaction with negative emotions because most people immediately think “expensive,” but that’s not the case. With our diamond buying guide, we’ll equip you with everything you need to know to buy the best gift for your loved ones this holiday season.
Before you buy: diamond education
If you are going to invest in something as special as a diamond, do it right. Since Unicorn Jewelry & Watch Boutique in Rancho Bernardo has the largest collection of certified loose stones in San Diego, along with six master jewelers on site, I sat down and asked owner Fred Nasseri and his family to share their expertise with us.
We’ve all heard it before: when looking for the perfect diamond, we should be sure to check the 4 C’s – Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat. These are the criteria Fred and his family use when grading diamonds and they’re the ones you’ll need to understand to buy the right diamond.
Diamond cut
A diamond’s cut refers to the shape of the diamond and the way the sides are aligned.
“It is the cut and quality of the cut that enables a diamond to make the best use of light to really shine and add that sparkle everyone is looking for,” Fred said. “The most popular cut – the round cut – reflects light though the most facets which then disperses throughout the top of the stone. It’s this type of cut that everyone is going to notice. Other cuts range from oval, square to princess and everything in between.”
Diamond color
Although the majority of diamonds appear to be colorless, others can contain tinges of yellow or brown, some of which are referred to as champagne diamonds. Rare stones of exceptional color – green, red, blue, pink or amber are known as fancies.
“Buyers should look out for subtle shade differences, which are judged through the pavilion side of a stone using a set of ‘master stones’ for comparison,” Fred explained. “The closer a diamond is to being colorless, the more valuable it is.”
Diamond clarity
Almost all diamonds contain minute flaws or “inclusions”. They are nature’s fingerprint and make every diamond unique. Most are not discernible to the naked eye and require magnification to become visible. The fewer there are, the rarer the diamond will be. Unicorn Jewelry recommends diamonds that are SI2 or higher. These diamonds have very slight inclusions, but appear completely clean, even using a 10x zoom lens, and the sparkle is not affected.
Carat
Buyers should understand that diamonds are sold by weight in units called carats. Just as there are 100 pennies in a dollar, there are 100 points in a carat with one point equaling .01 carats. For example, a diamond weighing .05 carats can also be referred to as a “5 point diamond.” Due to the rarity of large diamonds, their value is greater than a combination of several smaller diamonds.
The fifth “C” you haven’t heard of but need to know: certificates
Fred also let us in on an insider secret: the diamond certificate, or the fifth “C.” The diamond certificate, which is sometimes called a grading report, is a complete evaluation of a diamond that has been performed by a qualified professional with the help of special gemological instruments. Each stone bears its own recognizable, individual characteristics, which are listed on the certificate. “Buyers should ensure that their diamond will come with a certificate and ask for it when evaluating what diamond is right for them,” Fred said. “Everyone at Unicorn Jewelry is happy to provide certificates to our customers and will walk them through the entire report.”
Buying your diamond: the options
As mentioned earlier, the thought of buying diamonds, whether as stud earrings, a ring or even a dazzling necklace can harbor a plethora of negative emotions. But the fact of the matter is – it doesn’t have to be that way. Right now Unicorn Jewelry is offering up to 50 percent off its incredible selection of brand name jewelry and gifts for him and her. Plus, with layaway plans and on-site credit approval, the team at Unicorn Jewelry can help you find a special gift to fit any budget.
So this year, forget the gifts that will be gone and outdated by next year. Find something timeless for your loved ones at Unicorn Jewelry & Watch Boutique. You’ll enjoy easy, free parking, special holiday Sunday hours and friendly, approachable team members who will answer all of your questions and assist you in selecting the perfect gift for everyone you love.
Visit them in Rancho Bernardo at 16781 Bernardo Center Dr., or online at UnicornJewelry.com
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Useful article!!It will help me while choosing my diamond ring and other stuff also.Normally I prefers gold jewelry for jewelry.It is a unique symbol of love and commitment.