Whether you’re searching for one diamond for a specific piece of jewelry, like an engagement ring, or a number of diamonds, buying at wholesale prices can be more rewarding. Before you start, there are a number of things you should keep in mind to ensure that your best interests are taken care of.

1. What is the diamond for?

Before you start searching for a diamond, you should know what it’s for. This will help you narrow down your search. Is it for a  necklace, an engagement ring, earrings…? Knowing what the diamond is for can help you get a better idea of the color, size, and shape you want.

2. Budget First

Before you start, make sure you know exactly what your budget is. The range in diamond prices is immense so by knowing what your budget is, you can narrow down your search to a certain carat weight, shape, and cut, among other things.

3. Diamond Certification

Never buy diamonds that don’t have certifications, it is impossible to know what they are worth and what you are actually getting. A reliable wholesaler will be able to provide certification for each diamond being sold. Make sure the certificate is from a reliable and independent lab like GIA, HRD, AGS, and EGL.

4. Understanding the 4Cs

Making sure a diamond has a certificate is one thing, you also have to be able to understand the information inside it. The certificate is actually a report with details about every aspect of your diamond. The 4 Cs you need to remember and look at are clarity, color, carat, and cut. There are many other factors that are important, but if you are new to diamond shopping, these four will help you get a better understanding of the quality and worth of diamond you want to buy.

5. Compare Prices

If you know what diamond you want to purchase, you can compare prices with other wholesalers to make sure you’re getting the best price. You’ll want to compare diamonds with the same attributes in the 4 Cs for a proper price comparison.

6. Choose Your Wholesaler Wisely

If you’re purchasing online, make sure the wholesaler provides shipping insurance and a return policy that you’re comfortable with. Items can be damaged in transit and you don’t want that expense to be on you. Whether you’re purchasing online or at a local shop, try to search online for reviews about the retailer to get a better idea of who you’re dealing with. Some wholesalers work with an international diamond exchange, which usually means that they are more reliable.

7. Wholesale vs. Retail

If you’re buying a number of diamonds, a wholesaler will probably offer them at lower prices than a retailer. Some wholesalers will do so for a single diamond as well, but it is still important to check online and at local jewelry shops near you to get a better idea of exactly how big the price difference is.