Skip to main content
703-536-3600 - We Work Exclusively With Conflict-Free GIA Graded ("Certified") Natural Un-Treated Diamonds - No Lab Synthetics Learn More
  • About
  • Contact
  • Reviews
  • Make an Appointment
Washington Diamond logo
  • Engagement Rings
    • Engagement Ring Guide
    • Create Your Engagement Ring
    • All Engagement Rings
    • Complete Engagement Rings
    • Popular Styles
      • Solitaire
      • Three Stone
      • Halo
      • Pave
      • Vintage
    • Custom Engagement Rings
    • Schedule Engagement Ring Consultation
  • Wedding Bands
    • Wedding Bands for Women
    • Wedding Bands for Men
    • Diamond Wedding Bands
    • Custom Wedding Bands
    • Wedding Band Guide
  • Diamonds
    • Diamond Buying Guide
    • Search For Diamonds
    • Diamond Shapes
    • Diamond Price Calculator
    • Loose Diamonds
    • GIA Certified Diamonds
    • Diamond Buying Service
    • Diamond Consignment Service
  • Fine Jewelry
    • Custom Jewelry
    • Engagement Rings
      • Engagement Ring Settings
      • Complete Engagement Rings
      • Gemstone Engagement Rings
    • Wedding Rings
      • Diamond Wedding Bands
      • Wedding Bands for Women
      • Eternity Bands
      • Wedding Bands for Men
    • Anniversary Rings
      • Diamond Anniversary Rings
      • Gemstone Anniversary Rings
    • Earrings
      • Diamond Earrings
      • Gemstone Earrings
      • Precious Metal Earrings
    • Necklaces
      • Diamond Necklaces and Pendants
      • Gemstone Necklaces and Pendants
      • Precious Metal Necklaces and Pendants
      • Chains
    • Bracelets
      • Diamond Bracelets
      • Gemstone Bracelets
      • Precious Metal Bracelets
      • Charms
    • Pearls
      • Pearl Bracelets
      • Pearl Studs
      • Pearl Strands
    • The Wedding Boutique
      • Bridal Fashion
      • Bridesmaid Gifts
      • Wedding Guest Jewelry
    • Sale Items
      • Gifts Under $500
      • Gifts From $500 to $999
      • Gifts From $1000 to $2499
    • Featured
      • Gemstone Wedding Rings
      • Gemstone Rings
      • Gemstone Fashion Rings
      • Men's Bracelets
      • Men's Necklaces
      • Men's Rings
      • Men's Sets
      • Men's Pendants
      • Men's Earrings
      • Cufflinks
      • Custom Gemstone Jewelry
      • Custom Fine Jewelry
      • Custom Wedding Bands
      • Custom Engagement Rings
      • Gifts Under $1,000
  • Gemstone Jewelry
    • Gemstone Jewelry Guide
    • Gemstone Rings
      • Engagement Rings
      • Anniversary Rings
      • Wedding Rings
      • Fashion Rings
    • Gemstone Necklaces & Pendants
    • Gemstone Earrings
    • Gemstone Bracelets
    • Birthstone Guide
  • Custom
    • Custom Jewelry
    • Custom Engagement Rings
    • Custom Wedding Bands
    • Custom Fine Jewelry
  • Services
    • Our Services
    • Jewelry Repairs & Restoration
    • Cleaning & Inspection Service
    • Jewelry Appraisals
    • Metal Buying Service
    • Diamond Buying Service
    • Diamond Consignment Service
    • Financing Options
  • Our Store
    • Contact Us
    • Who We Are
    • Our History
    • Our Unique Approach
    • 100% Money Back Guarantee
    • Customer Reviews
    • Our Blog
    • Store Events
  • Make An Appointment
  • My Cart
Loose brilliant diamonds on a white bkacground Loose brilliant diamonds on a white bkacground

Complete Diamond Buying Guide

Find the diamond of your dreams in six simple steps.

Find a Diamond

How to Buy The Perfect Diamond

The diamond is a universal expression of luxury and love symbolizing romance and endurance.

At Washington Diamond our strong core values of fairness, integrity and extraodinary service drive us to take the confusion out of buying diamonds. We help our valued customers select the diamonds and fine jewelry pieces they truly adore. This guide is the perfect place to start your diamond buying journey, with expert tips and real-life experience from our wonderful team.

We’ll discuss the importance of the 4Cs, the ways diamond pricing works, and buying online versus buying in-store. We know that no two customers are the same, so once you have read our diamond buying guide let’s make an appointment. Our diamond experts will refine this advice to suit your personal needs.

Step 1: Set a Budget That Works For You

The beauty of this online experience is you can make loose diamond price comparisons and take your time creating a suitable budget. Here are our tips for setting a budget:

• Take a look at our loose diamond collection to get an idea of diamond prices.

• Consider what’s most important to you (a higher carat weight, a higher clarity for example, or perhaps you’d rather set more aside for the setting).

• Never feel pressured into over-spending. Our team has decades of experience working within varying budgets and will never push you to go beyond yours.

• Remember that making small changes of just one grade to color and/or clarity can make a negligible difference to appearance, but a significant impact on price. Prioritize cut quality and play with the other factors to find a diamond that suits your budget.

Step 1: Set a Budget That Works For You  Washington Diamond Falls Church, VA
💎 Our Advice:

If you need help with budgeting or a better understanding of diamond prices, take a look at our Diamond Price Calculator.

Step 2: Certification

Your Widget Header Text Goes Here Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit. Washington Diamond Falls Church, VA

Although many begin the diamond journey by learning ‘The 4Cs’, it is in fact the 5th C that starts your search. The 5th C is diamond certification. The process of diamond certification varies from lab to lab, but in short it is analyzing and testing a diamond to determine its precise qualities. Offering certified diamonds gives customers:

• The assurance that they know exactly what they are paying for.

• A personal record of the precise quality of your diamond produced for insurance or resale purposes, or simply ones sentimental value.

• Consistent grading to allow accurate price comparisons.

• Guarantees that the diamond is real, but not all labs are equal.

At Washington Diamond, we only sell GIA certified diamonds. As an internationally recognized lab, the GIA, the Gemological Institute of America, offers concise and consistent grading.The global diamond industry recognizes this lab to be the highest standard of diamond analysis. Take a look at our Guide to GIA Certified Diamonds to understand how important a good certification is for your diamond.

Step 3: Diamond Shape

The illustrious round brilliant-cut diamond, the perfect princess, or perhaps a beautifully balanced pear shape. Choosing a diamond shape is one of the less technical aspects of diamond buying – or as we like to think of it – one of the most fun! Driven entirely by your own desires and style, this is the first opportunity to make your mark and express yourself. Here's a brief summary of the most popular diamond shapes to help you decide.

  • Round
  • Princess
  • Emerald
  • Asscher
  • Oval
  • Marquise
  • Pear
  • Heart

Round

Classic and Timeless

The most popular diamond shape for engagement rings and fine jewelry. The cut of a round brilliant has been worked and reworked over the decades so it is optimized for brilliance, scintillation and fire. A timeless and universally flattering shape with an unrivalled sparkle.
Learn More...

Shop Round Diamonds
Washington Diamond Falls Church, VAWashington Diamond Falls Church, VA

Princess

Unique and Sparkling

A square silhouette with chevron facets for intense fire. A princess cut offers fantastic sparkle and is extremely versatile. Choose a setting that protects the corners of the diamond for a more durable ring.
Learn More...

Shop Princess Cut Diamonds
Washington Diamond Falls Church, VAWashington Diamond Falls Church, VA

Emerald

Understated Elegance

Part of the step cut family. Long, mirror-like facets, clean lines and a rectangular silhouette. Instead of the classic diamond sparkle, emerald cuts reveal a mesmerizing depth like a labyrinth of light. Choose a higher clarity (VS1 or above) to get the most from the elegant shape.
Learn More...

Shop Emerald Cut Diamonds
Washington Diamond Falls Church, VAWashington Diamond Falls Church, VA

Asscher

Art Deco Chic

Another member of the step cut family with similar qualities to an emerald cut but with a square silhouette and cropped corners. An unobstructed view of the flat table makes for a hypnotic appearance. Again, a higher clarity is recommended.
Learn More...

Shop Asscher Diamonds
Washington Diamond Falls Church, VAWashington Diamond Falls Church, VA

Oval

Balanced and Brilliant

Perhaps the most flattering shape, particularly for elongating the hand. Ovals give magnificent sparkle and bigger ‘face up’ appearance than a round brilliant, making them perfect for those who want a ‘bigger’ looking diamond.
Learn More...

Shop Oval Diamonds
Washington Diamond Falls Church, VAWashington Diamond Falls Church, VA

Marquise

Elegant and Whimsical

A unique, elongated shape that, like ovals, give the appearance of a bigger diamond. Be sure to protect the points of a marquise with the right setting.
Learn More...

Shop Marquise Diamonds
Washington Diamond Falls Church, VAWashington Diamond Falls Church, VA

Pear

Stunning and Asymmetric

Unique in its asymetrical silhouette, the pear cut, or tear drop, is another flattering, brilliant shape. Beloved for its emotional representations and vintage influence.
Learn More...

Shop Pear Diamonds
Washington Diamond Falls Church, VAWashington Diamond Falls Church, VA

Heart

Romantic and Eyecatching

Another beautifully modified brilliant, adored for its sentiment and story. An underrated shape that will truly turn heads in the right setting.
Learn More...

Shop Heart Diamonds
Washington Diamond Falls Church, VAWashington Diamond Falls Church, VA
💎 Our Advice:

Choose a shape that speaks to you and best reflects yourself, your partner or your relationship.

Round Princess Emerald Asscher Radiant
Oval Marquise Pear Cushion Heart
Search All Diamond Shapes

Step 4: The Four C's

Carat, Cut, Color, and Clarity - the four standards we use to assess the quality of diamonds. Each plays a unique role in what makes a diamond special. The qualities must work together in harmony.  For example, a diamond with a beautiful cut that is full of inclusions will fail to deliver sparkle. A high clarity diamond with a very low color grade can still appear dull.

 Choosing the best diamond might not mean going for the top grades. It is finding a place of balance between budget and beauty.

  • Carat
  • Cut
  • Color
  • Clarity
Your Widget Header Text Goes Here Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit. Washington Diamond Falls Church, VAYour Widget Header Text Goes Here Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit. Washington Diamond Falls Church, VA

Carat

Diamonds are priced per carat. As carat weight increases, the price per carat increases too. That means, the price per carat for a 1.00ct diamond would not be the same as a 2.00ct diamond. Most people have some idea of how ‘big’ they want the diamond to be, but this can change once they’ve actually seen the size/price.

Remember that different diamond shapes can give bigger or smaller appearances at the same carat weight, and carefully designed settings can be used to create a bigger impact!

💎 Our Advice: Carat is entirely up to you, but remember that an excellent cut will give the best  proportions, and will maximize a diamond’s carat weight.

Your Widget Header Text Goes Here Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit. Washington Diamond Falls Church, VAYour Widget Header Text Goes Here Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit. Washington Diamond Falls Church, VA

Cut

Cut is extremely important in making sure a diamond exhibits its finest qualities.  Brilliance (the reflection of white light), fire (flashes of colored light) and scintillation (the blinking or flashing effect). The proportions and polish of a diamond must be executed with extreme precision to achieve these incredible results. 

💎 Our Advice: Cut is an area that we advise you not to compromise. Look for GIA ‘Very Good’ and ‘Excellent’ cut grades to ensure your diamond is delivering the best possible light return.

Your Widget Header Text Goes Here Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit. Washington Diamond Falls Church, VAYour Widget Header Text Goes Here Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit. Washington Diamond Falls Church, VA

Color

The GIA grades color on a scale from D to Z. The presence of nitrogen in the diamond can cause a yellow tinge to diamonds.Diamonds in the D-E-F grades are ‘colorless’. Typically, diamonds that are bright ‘white’ are the most desirable. 

💎 Our Advice: It is almost impossible to detect color in diamonds in the G-H-I ‘near colorless’ category making them an excellent choice for fine jewelry, without reaching the prices that the colorless diamonds demand. For diamonds graded ‘J-K-L’ consider choosing a yellow gold setting to give the diamond a whiter appearance by comparison.

Your Widget Header Text Goes Here Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit. Washington Diamond Falls Church, VAYour Widget Header Text Goes Here Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit. Washington Diamond Falls Church, VA

Clarity

When a diamond forms in the earth, other materials can become trapped inside the diamond. These are inclusions. With the exception of FL (flawless) and IF (internally flawless) if there are too many or they have formed in an obvious place, they can diminish a diamond's light return and even compromise its durability.  

💎 Our Advice: For guaranteed, eye-clean diamonds (no inclusions visible to the naked eye) we recommend beginning your search in the VS1 category. However, diamonds with a lower grade can be analyzed and it is possible to find eye-clean diamonds with a lower grade. Speak with our team for advice on finding eye-clean diamonds.

Step 5: Deciding Where to Buy a Diamond

The question of online versus in-store diamond buying comes down to a few factors. At Washington Diamond, while we have a curated collection of diamonds available online, our one-on-one appointments at our Washington DC area store offers a personal and private experience. We provide an environment that is customer focused and driven by your satisfaction. Either way, what matters is what is most important to you.

Based on generations of experience, we suggest you ask these questions before you buy a diamond from either on online or in-store source:

• Do they offer GIA certified diamonds?
• Can they offer professional advice from real diamond experts to help you narrow down your search?
• Can they offer both loose diamonds and pre-set styles?
• Do you feel pushed or pressured into going for higher grades beyond your budget?
• Can they offer a long term relationship and buyer assurance, such as inspection services, real-time advice, money-back guarantee and cleaning?

Washington Diamond Falls Church, VA
Washington Diamond Falls Church, VA
Washington Diamond Falls Church, VA
Washington Diamond Falls Church, VA

Step 6: The Finishing Touches

Washington Diamond Falls Church, VAWashington Diamond Falls Church, VA

Make sure you feel valued and heard throughout your diamond buying experience. Our family business is based on the belief that the diamond buying process should be as bright and brilliant as the diamond itself.

Whether it’s creating a bespoke setting for your diamond, sourcing an unusual diamond or simply providing a smooth and enjoyable experience,we make sure to take exceptional care of all your finishing touches

No request is too much. Contact us today to let us know how we can make your diamond buying experience sparkle!

Speak To A Jewelry Expert
Washington Diamond Falls Church, VAWashington Diamond Falls Church, VA

Washington Diamond
1245 W Broad St, Falls Church, VA 22046
(703) 536-3600

Washington Diamond
Falls Church
1245 W Broad St
Falls Church, VA 22046
(703) 536-3600
Store Information
Store Hours

By Appointment Only

Schedule Appointment Contact Us
Education
  • Jewelry Education
  • The Four Cs of Diamonds
  • Diamond Buying Tips
  • Choosing the Ring
  • Birthstone Guide
  • Gemstone Guide
  • Precious Metals
  • Caring for Fine Jewelry
  • Diamond Cleaning
  • Gemstone Cleaning
  • Anniversary Guide
  • Gold Buying Guide
  • Our Blog
Services
  • Our Services
  • Jewelry Repair
  • Jewelry Restoration
  • Cleaning & Inspection Service
  • Jewelry Appraisals
  • Metal Buying Service
  • Diamond Buying Service
  • Diamond Consignment Service
  • Financing Options
  • Store Events
  • Wholesale Services
Shop Jewelry
  • Custom Jewelry
  • Engagement Rings
  • Wedding Rings
  • Anniversary Rings
  • Earrings
  • Necklaces
  • Bracelets
  • Pearls
  • The Wedding Boutique
  • Sale Items
  • Featured
  • Additional Jewelry Showcase
Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Signup for special offers and discounts.

  • The Knot Washington Diamond Washington D.C. Top Rated Jeweler
  • Authorize.net

© 2023 Washington Diamond. All Rights Reserved. Website designed, maintained, and hosted by Punchmark. Accessibility Statement.