Blog Inter-Continental Jewelers Houston

Oftentimes, we have customers ask us about diamond certification. Knowing what certification your diamond has is important, as it affects the value and quality. Well-known diamond institutions include GIA, EGL USA, AGS, and IGI, to name a few. What's the difference? The most common certifications one would come across while diamond shopping would be GIA and EGL USA. The GIA, Gemological Institute of America is considered the top gem research institute in the world.  Because they hold strict regulations with diamond grading, they have established global quality standards; therefore, they represent the true value of the diamond. The second best would be EGL USA, the European Gemological Laboratory, which classifies diamonds one grade higher than GIA. For instance, an EGL USA certified SI1 diamond would be considered a SI2 diamond by the GIA. An EGL USA certified diamond is a great option for those looking for a more affordable diamond. Keep in mind, every diamond is UNIQUE....

How to Find the Right Diamond for You Searching for a diamond may seem like a daunting task, so we here at Inter-Continental Jewelers understand and have compiled a convenient list of tips to consider when selecting the right diamond. Keep these in mind and your diamond search will be a breeze. 1. Do your research first. Get a little background information on diamonds  (i.e., the 4 C's, shapes, how they are graded, who they are graded by, what inclusions to avoid, etc.). 2.  Set a budget. Once you have a set amount of dollars to work with, this will help narrow down what type of diamond you can afford. 3. Establish your preferred carat size, color, clarity, cut, etc. that will fall within your budget. Remember that each criteria factors in to the price. To find the best diamonds in Houston, use our handy Diamond Search tool at http://www.intercontinentaljewelers.com/diamonds .  Use the filter to select your budget range and diamond criteria (shape, cara...