Buying the best diamond.

When selecting a Lee Read Diamond, you should be excited and expect to have fun. Most jewelers view selling diamonds as a transaction; however, we're not most jewelers. At Lee Read, we believe your engagement should be an exciting and fun time, so why shouldn't shopping for your engagement ring?

Show me!

In 44 years, we have never bought a diamond without looking at it first -- and neither should you. No two diamonds are exactly alike, and each has its own characteristics and beauty. It would be impossible to appreciate a diamond simply by looking at the certificate that accompanies it. To really appreciate a diamond, you need to see what makes that diamond unique.

The 4 Cs and their importance

Jewelers and Internet companies love to talk about the 4 Cs grading scale that was developed by the Gemological Institute of America. The 4 Cs refer to Cut, Clarity, Carat and Color. However, what they don't tell you is that the 4 Cs are not an exact standard and are actually more like guidelines. It is not uncommon for jewelers and Internet companies to use these guidelines to make their diamonds appear better -- at least on paper -- than they really are. The Internet is a great resource for becoming familiar with the basics of the 4 Cs, but the information can be misleading. You should always view a diamond before buying, so you can personally see and understand what makes your diamond beautiful.

For every diamond, grading laboratories assign a Cut grade, Clarity grade, Carat grade and Color grade. It is completely probable -- and common -- for two laboratories to give the same diamond different grades. Even two gemologists working in the same laboratory will sometimes give the same diamond different grades. This is why the fine print on many certificates states, "This is only our opinion" or "Grades may vary." When buying a diamond, seeing is believing.

What about independent grading laboratories?

Jewelers and Internet companies sometimes state that independent laboratories grade their diamonds. This is their way of adding credibility to the grades on a certificate by basically claiming, "This is an unbiased grade because we didn't do it ourselves." However, someone paid the independent laboratory to grade that diamond -- either the jeweler or Internet company, or even the company or person from whom the diamond was originally purchased.

Currently, there are 17 commercial diamond-grading laboratories, and none of them grade diamonds for free. Each of the companies uses its own individual interpretation of the Gemological Institute of America's 4 Cs grading scale. Many certificates and reports are accurate, but some are inflated. And sometimes, even the best certificates can have honest mistakes. That's why we never buy a diamond without looking at it first, regardless of the laboratory or company that prepares the certificate.

Who can you trust?

You can always trust your eyes and your jeweler. A knowledgeable jeweler can help you understand what makes one diamond more valuable than another. Your jeweler can also show you what makes each diamond unique. At Lee Read, we will gladly show you your Lee Read Diamond under extreme magnification, so you can easily see its characteristics, beauty and value. We will also show you our interactive video to teach you about where diamonds come from, what they look like when they are found and how they are cut.

Lee Read Diamonds pass high standards tests.

Lee Read has a complete in-store Gem Lab and Certified Gemological Appraiser. Our gemologists and appraisers have received the highest levels of gemological training available from the Gemological Institute of America, the same organization that created the 4 Cs grading scale. We regularly reject diamonds that do not meet Lee Read standards, regardless of the grade claimed on the certificate. We refuse to depend on someone else's interpretation of grading for a Lee Read Diamond. Our diamonds are never laser-drilled or fracture-filled, and we will give you an accurate grading. If you're purchasing a Lee Read Diamond, we grade it, and we stand behind that grade.

When does the fun start?

The fun and excitement start as soon as you walk through the doors of the Lee Read Diamond Dream Store. You're already excited about the next steps of your life together, and we're excited to help you on your way. Unfortunately, most jewelers, mass merchants and Internet companies have taken the fun and excitement out of buying one of the most important things you'll ever own. As you can probably tell by now, Lee Read isn't like most jewelers, and we're proud. We're here to not just help you find a diamond, but your perfect Lee Read Diamond.

At Lee Read, we know that if we treat you right, listen to what you want and help you find what you want, you will be back to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and other events in your life with us. To other jewelers and retailers you are a transaction and a customer. To us, you're a friend. It may sound ridiculous, but that's the reason why more Idahoans wear Lee Read Diamonds than any other jeweler.