5 Tips for Buying a .5 Carat Diamond Ring

Buy a GIA or Ags-certified diamond
Buy a preowned diamond ring
Fancy cut diamonds vs. round brilliant diamonds.
Invest in the diamond center stone
Buy your ring online

Across our publication, the Diamocycle Dispatch, we empower buyers with the knowledge to shop confidently, knowing they have the best advice. Our legacy in diamonds began in 1857, over 150 years ago.

Buy a GIA or Ags-certified diamond.

The diamond certificate matters. The definitive report about your diamond enables professional buyers globally to understand what you have purchased. The gold standard in certificates is GIA. AGS is considered a respectable gem lab, but second to GIA. Opt for a GIA diamond certificate when buying a .5-carat diamond ring. Exceptions to this would be an antique ring that is original and has not been newly constructed. In this instance, you should expect a professional appraisal by a GIA graduate. The appraisal is not a diamond certificate and has a very different meaning and value in the diamond industry. However, it is better than purchasing a ring with no paperwork. We strongly advise against this.

2. Buy a preowned diamond ring.

When purchasing a .5-carat diamond ring, opt for a used ring. As a result, you will save on the depreciation expense. Your saving could be up to 70% of the cost of a new ring. In addition, you can get a much more impressive .5-carat ring than you could by purchasing a new ring.

3. Fancy cut diamonds vs. round brilliant diamonds.

Fancy-cut diamonds (all shapes other than round) are generally less expensive than round brilliants. This is because the diamond cut can waste less diamond rough when making a fancy-cut diamond. As a result, fancy cuts are more affordable. If future resale is a factor, and you plan to upgrade, opt for the round brilliant. Round brilliant diamonds tend to have more stable buyer demand.

4. Invest in the diamond center stone

The diamond setting has little value over the intrinsic worth of the materials used. Therefore, spend most of your budget on the diamond center stone. The quality and size of your diamond center stone determine your ring’s value.

5. Buy your ring online.

Shopping online will save you money, as brick-and-mortar stores have higher overhead costs than online sellers. However, our preferred venues for buying a .5-carat diamond ring are marketplaces for pre-owned rings. A diamond-specific market should have the following protocols to protect the buyer’s interest.

A return policy
A 3rd party inspection from a gem lab
The suggested market price of a listing
Buyers educational content
A separate section for lab-created diamonds

At Diamocycle, we have all of these buyer safeguards in place. Start shopping here for your .5-carat diamond ring. https://www.diamocycle.com/market-place