Buying Guide: Engagement Rings Under $10,000

Buying Guide: Engagement Rings Under $5,000

Buying Guide: Engagement Rings under $2,500

Buying Guide: Engagement Rings under $1,000

The Best Carat Weights for Heart Shaped Diamond Rings

The Best Clarity Grades for Heart Shaped Diamond Rings

The Best Settings for Heart Shaped Diamond Rings

Best Carat Weight for Radiant Cut Diamond Rings

The Best Clarity Grades for Radiant Cut Diamond Rings

The Best Diamond Color for A Radiant Cut Diamond Ring

The Best Settings for a Radiant Cut Diamond Ring

Rose Gold vs Yellow Gold: How to Choose

White Gold vs Yellow Gold: How to Choose

Platinum vs White Gold: How to Choose

What Is the Best Engagement Ring Setting for a 2 Carat Diamond?

14k vs 18k White Gold: How to Choose

What Is the Best Clarity for a 2 Carat Diamond?

What Is the Best Diamond Color for a 2 Carat Diamond?

What Are the Pros and Cons of Buying a Two Carat Lab Grown Diamond Ring?

What Are the Pros and Cons of Buying a Two Carat Natural Diamond Ring?

What Is Rose Gold?

14k vs 18k Gold: What Is the Difference?

Eleventh Anniversary Gift Guide: Turquoise

Tenth Anniversary Gift Guide: Diamond

Divorce Rings: The New Jewelry Trend

Ninth Anniversary Gift Guide: Morganite

Eighth Anniversary Gift: Tourmaline

Seventh Anniversary Gift Guide: Yellow Sapphire

VRAI Review: The Best Climate-Friendly Jeweler for Lab Grown Diamonds

Sixth Year Anniversary Gift Guide: Amethyst

Custom Pendants: Buying Guide for 2025

Geeky Engagement Rings: Buying Guide for 2025

Custom Earrings: Buying Guide for 2025

Fifth Year Anniversary Gift Guide: Sapphire

Custom Class Rings: Buying Guide for 2025

Custom Signet Rings: Buying Guide for 2025

History of Signet Rings

Fourth Year Anniversary Gift Guide: Blue Topaz

Third Year Anniversary Gift Guide: Pearls

Second Year Anniversary Gift Guide: Garnet Jewelry

First Year Anniversary Gift Guide: Gold Jewelry

Anniversary Gifts By Year

20 Best Mother’s Day Jewelry Gift Ideas for 2025

Diamond Tennis Necklaces: A Buying Guide

Tips and Tricks To Buy Diamonds Online

Diamond Eternity Rings: A Buying Guide

Milestone Anniversary Jewelry and Gemstone Gift Buying Guide (Traditional and Modern Gifts)

Active Promo Codes for Diamond Rings and Jewelry

2025 Buying Guide: How to Select, Wear, and Buy Cufflinks

12 Push Present Ideas for 2025 – Jewelry Gifts for New Moms

Trendiest Rose Gold Jewelry for 2025

Trendiest White Gold Jewelry of 2025

James Allen Diamond Cut Guide: Overview, Grades, Quality and Price

Trendiest Yellow Gold Jewelry In 2025

Diamond Tennis Bracelets: A Buying Guide

Buying Guide for 2024: Diamond Bangle Bracelets

How to Buy a Lab-Grown Diamond in 2024

Buying Guide for 2023: Diamond Chandelier Earrings

Buying Diamond Stud Earrings? Learn How to Buy the Perfect Pair in 2024

How to Buy a Great Diamond Solitaire Pendant in 2023

Ethical Diamonds: How to Buy a Conflict-Free Diamond in 2023

How to Try On Engagement Rings Before Buying Online

Is It Safe to Buy a Diamond Ring Online?

Should I Buy a VVS2 Clarity Diamond?

CustomMade.com Review

Whiteflash Review

With Clarity Review

Brian Gavin Diamonds Review

Blue Nile Review

James Allen Review

Buying Diamonds Online? Match Your Shopper Personality Type to an Online Store

If you’re shopping for diamond rings online, you might be overwhelmed by the options you’ll face. Learn how to simplify your search parameters and stay within your budget.

Deciding Where to Buy a Diamond

Appraisals

Gem Cutting

Gemological Laboratories

Gemstones

Rough Gems and Mineral Specimens

Jewelry

Gemology Supplies and Equipment

Auctions

Gem Treating

Informational Resources

Lapidary Supplies and Equipment

Special Services

Ruby Buying Guide

Emerald Buying Guide

Sapphire Buying Guide

Aquamarine Buying Guide

An Introduction to Gem Identification

Destructive Gemstone Testing

Enhanced Gem Inclusions

Identifying Synthetic Diamonds

What are Allochromatic and Idiochromatic Gems?

How Does Quartz Form?

Amethyst Gem, Price, and Jewelry Information

What are Gemstone Absorption Spectra?

Tanzanian Corundum

Is This a Topazolite Garnet?

Nigerian Gemstones

Is This an Opal?

Gem Enthusiast Monthly Gift

Gem Enthusiast Annual Gift

For Professionals and Dedicated Enthusiasts

Professional Monthly Gift

Professional Annual Gift

Free Professional Business ListingGet your company in front of 12,000 gem enthusiasts and professionals.

Gemstone Buying GuidesAdvice that you can trust written by industry experts, without the giant price tag.

Professional Certification ProgramsOnly IGS Professional members are eligible to enroll in Professional Certification Programs

Advanced Filters in our Gem GalleryFilter images based on Gem State, Shape, Color, and Natural or Lab-Made

Gem Identification GuidesBe confident in what you have and avoid the heartbreak and cost of identification mistakes.

50% off all Mini CoursesOver $300 in savings

In-Depth Premium ArticlesIncluding 20 years of back catalog

Gem Price Guide (accurate and up-to-date)Reliable pricing data can cost hundreds through other sources. It’s included with IGS.

Gem Enthusiast

Gem Enthusiast Annual

Gem Enthusiast Monthly

Professional Certification ProgramsOnly IGS Professional members are eligible to enroll in Professional Certification Programs (additional $400 per certification course)

More Advanced Filters in our Gem GalleryFilter images based on all of the basic filters PLUS Transparency, Multi-Color, Pleochroism, Phenomena, Treatment, and Inclusions

Access to All Mini Courses$600 value included in your membership

Professional

Professional Annual

Professional Monthly

Birthstone Chart

Blue Gemstones: 37 Varieties, Properties & Care Guide

Gemstone Hardness and Wearability

10 Rare Engagement Ring Stones that Won’t Break the Bank

Sapphire Treatment: The Complete Guide

Diamond Testing Tools: A Brief History and Review

Mineral Cleavage Testing: A Practical Guide

What is Crystallography?

In 2012, Donald Clark retired and passed along stewardship of the IGS to the Rosen family, who were longtime members of IGS. Lisa Rosen runs the day-to-day operation of IGS and  <a href="https://www.ganoksin.com/">The Ganoksin Project, a technical resource website for bench jewelers and jewelry manufacturers</a>.  Lisa strongly believes that IGS must remain a cost-effective, accurate, and comprehensive resource for all those interested in gemology. IGS is our passion, and it is a family business.

Lisa Rosen

Donald Clark, CSM founded the International Gem Society in 1998. Donald started in the gem and jewelry industry in 1976. He received his formal gemology training from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the American Society of Gemcutters (ASG). The letters &#8220;CSM&#8221; after his name stood for Certified Supreme Master Gemcutter, a designation of Wykoff&#8217;s ASG which has often been referred to as the doctorate of gem cutting. The American Society of Gemcutters only had 54 people reach this level. Along with dozens of articles for leading trade magazines, Donald authored the book &#8220;Modern Faceting, the Easy Way.&#8221;

Donald Clark, CSM IMG

Jeffery Bergman, SSEF SGC, founder and director of <a href="http://www.primagem.com/">8th Dimension Gems</a> in Thailand, is an American gem dealer with more than 40 years of experience in gemstone and fine jewelry mining, cutting, wholesaling and retailing. His career has taken him to more than 50 countries and every continent except Antarctica. He has appeared on the BBC, CNN, NBC, ABC and GEO; and has been featured in Time, USA Today, National Geographic, Gems &amp; Gemology and Discovery Channel magazine. He is a regular guest speaker at gem lab seminars and gemological association conferences and universities.

Jeffery Bergman, SSEF SGC

Dr. Joel E. Arem has more than 60 years of experience in the world of gems and minerals. After obtaining his Ph.D. in Mineralogy from Harvard University, he has published numerous books that are still among the most widely used references and guidebooks on crystals, gems and minerals in the world.
Co-founder and President of numerous organizations, Dr. Arem has enjoyed a lifelong career in mineralogy and gemology. He has been a Smithsonian scientist and Curator, a consultant to many well-known companies and institutions, and a prolific author and speaker. Although his main activities have been as a gem cutter and dealer, his focus has always been education. <a href="https://www.joelarem.com/">joelarem.com</a>

Joel E. Arem, Ph.D., FGA

Fatma Oya Borahan, GG, FGG has Graduate Gemologist and Diamond Diplomas from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) the German Gemmological Association (DGemG) and Gemmological Association of Great Britain (GemA). <a href="http://birdamlasu.com/">birdamlasu.com</a>

Fatma Oya Borahan, GG, FGG

Barbara Smigel is a GIA Graduate Gemologist, faceter, jewelry designer, gem dealer, gemology instructor and creator of the well-regarded educational websites <a href="http://www.acstones.com">acstones.com</a> and <a href="http://www.bwsmigel.info">bwsmigel.info</a>.

Barbara Smigel, PhD. GG

Dr. Gerald Wykoff is GG (Graduate Gemologist), a CSM (Certified Supreme Master gemcutter), educator, and author of several gemology books. He founded the American Society of Gemcutters in the 1980s and served for more than 10 years as the editor of its monthly magazine, American Gemcutter.

Dr. Gerald Wykoff GG CSM

A geologist, environmental engineer and Caltech graduate, Addison&#8217;s interest in the mesmerizing and beautiful results of earth&#8217;s geological processes began in her elementary school&#8217;s environmental club. When she isn&#8217;t writing about gems and minerals, Addison spends winters studying ancient climates in Iceland and summers hiking the Colorado Rockies.

Addison Rice

The late Jeff Graham was a prolific faceter, creator of many original faceting designs, and the author of several highly-regarded instructional faceting books such as <a href="https://rockpeddler.com/product-category/instructional-materials/">Gram Faceting Designs</a>.

Jeff R. Graham

Kyrylo Gubariev, Graduate Gemologist (GG, AJP) is a gemologist with a passion for sharing his knowledge with fellow gem lovers. Originally from Ukraine, he is currently based in Bangkok, Thailand.

Kyrylo Gubariev, Graduate Gemologist (GG, AJP)

Jim Buday was born and raised in Wisconsin. He attended college for biology, but realized that he preferred to work with his hands. He became a general contractor and home flipper. Jim then taught himself to cut gems by watching instructional YouTube videos and reading online forums. By 2019, he was confident enough in his skills to pursue selling his work. He founded the Reddit thread, Shinypreciousgems, which now sits at more than 25,000 members. Jim now works with gems and jewelry full time, and has also partnered with several jewelers to offer settings to his gemstone clients. Recently, Jim started creating his own gem designs. In his free time, Jim enjoys the outdoors, working on his land, and is building a house with his girlfriend, Raeanna.

Jim Buday, Lapidarist

Deciding Where to Buy a Diamond - International Gem Society

Home

Diamond Advice

Join 10,000+ members helping each other learn. For gemologists, gem collectors, hobbyists, jewelers, lapidaries and everyone in between.

International Gem Society

https://www.gemsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/igs_newsletter_logo.png

International Gem Society LLC

Deciding Where to Buy a Diamond

Never Stop Learning

Get Gemology Insights