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Independent Diamond Education

Diamond Buying School: A solitaire diamond engagement ring.

Welcome to Diamond Buying School, your source for learning all about diamonds before you buy.

Start with our Diamond Buying Guide or learn about the four Cs of diamonds - the four important characteristics that determine the value of a diamond.

Finally, learn how to save money and buy ethical diamonds with the best online jewelers.

1- vs. 2-Carat Diamond Ring

by David Weliver

Are you in the market for an engagement ring, or plan to purchase one soon? Are you wondering about diamond sizes, values, etc.? For instance, you may wonder whether to get a one- or two-carat diamond engagement ring. Is there really that much of a difference between the two? An engagement ring isn’t just any […]

Sparkle, or “brilliance”, is arguably a diamond’s most important quality. But which diamonds shine the brightest? And how can you be sure that you’re buying a diamond that will sparkle, especially if you’re buying online? Learn the factors that affect a diamond’s brilliance and how to narrow your search to include only gems that are […]

There’s no wrong way to “pop the question”. But it’s (hopefully) a once-in-lifetime moment that you and your future spouse will remember for decades. Here are our favorite creative proposal ideas to help you find a romantic proposal method that’s right for you. #1. The airport chauffeur Need to pick her up at the airport, bus […]

Can you buy a diamond engagement ring on Amazon? Sure. Is buying a diamond on Amazon a good idea? Let’s discuss. Can you buy an engagement ring on Amazon.com? Yes, you can buy engagement rings and other diamond jewelry on Amazon — just like everything else! But diamonds listed on Amazon are typically sold by […]

So, you’ve finally found “the one” and are ready to propose? Congrats! But do you know her ring size? Here, we’ll show you how to find a woman’s ring size. We’ll even include a few tricks to use to find her size on the DL if you want to surprise her. How ring size is […]

Should you spend three months’ salary on an engagement ring? Two months? One? These benchmarks for how much engagement ring to buy have been around for decades. But they’re not the right answer to how much you should spend on an engagement ring. How much engagement ring to buy When buying an engagement ring, you […]

To cut to the chase: The best diamond cut for an engagement ring is the Round Brilliant, followed closely by the princess cut, the cushion cut, and the oval cut. Almost everyone agrees that the Round Brilliant cut is the most stunning diamond shape.   That’s my best answer in a nutshell. And I’ll back up […]

Sure, a tasty dinner out at a swanky, fancy restaurant and maybe an evening dancing to a live band is a good way to celebrate and observe an anniversary, but that’s not the only way, and something that only comes around once a year deserves to be celebrated differently than by doing the same kind […]

Good things do come to those who wait, especially if you’re a diamond merchant, a woman who likes to have a few “best friends” in her jewelry box, or a miner looking to strike it rich. Striking a new diamond friendship could just be what a woman needs, especially if there is a diamond wedding […]

Recommended Jewelers

James Allen

James Allen logo

James Allen is the most competitive diamond vendor with more than 150,000 loose diamonds in inventory. They have been a leader in selling diamonds online and pioneered 3D imaging so you can see the exact diamond you're buying in exquisite detail. You'll find it hard to beat James Allen in terms of price or selection. Read our James Allen review.

Shop James Allen »

Whiteflash

Whiteflash logo

Whiteflash is the home of "A Cut Above" diamonds which are among the best quality round- and princess-cut diamonds in the world. With superior diamond photographs and videos, Whiteflash's diamonds seem to come to life -- even online. Read our Whiteflash review.

Shop Whiteflash »

Brilliant Earth

Brilliant Earth logo

Brilliant Earth is the global leader in ethically-sourced jewelry. Brilliant Earth goes above and beyond existing standards to offer “Beyond Conflict Free Diamonds” that they select for their ethical and environmentally-responsible origins. With over 120,000 diamonds in inventory, you can be sure to find your perfect diamond and feel good knowing it was responsibly-sourced. Read our Brilliant Earth review.

Shop Brilliant Earth »

Blue Nile

Blue Nile logo

Blue Nile is the world's largest online jeweler. Their reputation for quality and customer service is unparalleled in the industry. Blue Nile offers free shipping, a 30-day return policy and satisfaction guarantee. Read our Blue Nile review.

Shop Blue Nile »