GIA: Library: FAQ Detail Page

Answer: Educating yourself about diamonds will certainly help you to make a good purchase and shopping for diamonds that have GIA Gem Trade Laboratory grading reports will assure you that you are comparing diamonds that have been graded consistently. Any diamond can be sent to our laboratory for a grading report, before or after it is purchased. For more information about the GIA Gem Trade Laboratory and the services they offer, please visit their website.

There are several good books written for consumers that help explain the diamond grading system and give advice for shoppers. We generally recommend reading one or more of these consumer buying guides. A few of the popular titles include: The Diamond Ring Buying Guide by Renee Newman (156pp, 2002); Engagement and Wedding Rings by Antoinette Matlins (283pp, 2003); Diamonds: The Antoinette Matlins Buying Guide by Antoinette Matlins (184pp, 2001); and Before You Buy An Engagement Ring by Nancy Schiffer (104pp, 1999). These buying guides may be available locally or they can be purchased through GIA GEM Instruments and Books. For more information, GIA GEM Instruments and Books can be reached by telephone at (800) 421-8161, or online at http://www.gia.edu/geminstrument/index.cfm.

Our website has a very good tutorial called "How to Buy a Diamond". It only takes about 20 minutes and it will give you practical information about the basics of diamond grading. You can also look at the Diamond Information Center's website at http://www.adiamondisforever.com

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