A grading report records information about a diamond. Seeing the stone in person lets you add your own observation: how it looks to you, in more than one kind of light and from more than one distance.
Look at it more than one way
A diamond can look different under different lighting conditions. If you can, see it in more than one kind of light.
For round brilliants, the background can affect how the stone appears. GIA research on round brilliants (opens in a new tab) found that a white tray can sometimes make a stone appear brighter by masking areas of light leakage — places where light leaves through the bottom of the stone instead of returning to the eye. If you can, also look at it against a neutral background.
Then step back and look from a normal viewing distance as well as close up. If you are able to try on a set piece, look at it on your hand too.
If more than one stone is presented
If more than one stone is presented for comparison, try to see them side by side under the same light rather than one after another — face up, and from the side.
Some differences between neighbouring colour grades are too subtle for an untrained eye to see. Note which differences you can actually see for yourself.
Questions to bring
The company that receives you sets how long a consultation runs and what it covers, so it helps to bring your questions written down, with the ones that matter most to you first. A few are worth asking about any stone you are seriously considering:
- If a grading report or other document is presented, what does it cover, who issued it, and how does it identify this particular stone?
- Is the stone natural or laboratory-grown, and where is that stated?
- If it is set, or would be, what does that setting mean in daily wear?
- If resizing, warranty or aftercare are offered, what are the terms?
- What factors are reflected in the quoted price for this stone?
Any sale, resizing, warranty or aftercare terms are set by the selling company. Confirm them before purchase.
Before you leave, note what you saw
Note down what you would otherwise have to remember: which stones you looked at and what you noticed about each, the light you saw them in, the differences you could actually see, and what you were told about terms, and by whom. If a document was shown, note who issued it, its report number if it has one, and whichever details you will want to compare later.
If you would like a photograph, ask first. Whether that is possible is for the company you are visiting to say.
The decision can wait
A consultation does not oblige you to buy anything. You can leave with your notes and decide later, once you have set what you saw against what you want.