What are the advantages of buying a certified diamond and what is the best certification to get?

I鈥檝e been researching diamonds for engagement rings, and I keep seeing different certifications. What certifications should I be looking for, and what are the advantages of buying a certified diamond?|||A certified diamond is supposed to match the qualities on it's papers. The only really good certifications in the US are EGL (European) and GIA (American). A second-class choice is IGI. If you see nearly any diamond that is smaller than a carat and "certified" then it is likely one of those knock-offs. There are many others of course that issue papers (think crummy mall store) but are not very quality, just like the CKC will register dogs from a photo. A certified diamond will also come with a "map" showing the inclusions in the stone, which if you are worried in that a bad jeweler has stolen your stone you can compare it to the map and see. It also is easier to sell/trade your diamond if it is certified because the quality is easy to know.





A certification will make a stone a bit more expensive generally, but you can be sure that it is not misrepresented to you (as long as it is from the ones I told you were good). I recommend going to a small family jeweler for the best price and quality on diamonds. When I worked at a family jeweler our profit margin on diamonds was 30%, with a lower markup on the better quality diamonds to keep them affordable. The mall stores have more than 100% markup-- any store that does a 50-75% off sale regularly logically is ripping you off.|||She isn't going to know if it is certified or not. Basically, you spend extra money for a slightly better look and no one ever really knows the difference unless you tell them (unless there are black spots in her diamond -- then people know).





The benefit? Umm.... I think it is kind of pretentious to care about that kind of thing, honestly... She is going to be happy no matter if it is certified or not (hopefully).





Now, if you have tons of money, go for it! You get to know all the specs about your particular diamond and it has a tiny microscopic number inscribed on the side of it so you know it is yours when they give it back to you, etc.|||The 6C's of diamonds:





Cut ( the most important )


Carat weight


Clarity


Color


Certificate ( AGS or GIA, avoid EGL )


Cost





I got my wife's ring at Diamond Brokers of Florida:





http://www.dbof.com/





http://www.diamondring.com/forums/forumd鈥?/a>





Or you could check out these other online sources:





www.WhiteFlash.com





www.GoodOldGold.com





www.ExcelDiamonds.com





www.BlueNile.com





Blue Nile's database is good, but they don't provide you with photos or analysis reports of the diamond. I wouldn't go with them for that reason.





Happy hunting.





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*|||I would go to a local mom and pop jewelry store and discuss what you want with them. I think that is the best place to get information.|||Consider only certificates from HRD or GIA.