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Pre-set or Loose? There are two ways to buy diamonds -- already set in a piece of jewelry or "loose." The advantage of buying a loose diamond is you get to select BOTH the diamond and the setting. With pre-set diamonds, you have to settle for either your ideal diamond or your ideal setting -- odds are you will not find both in a pre-set diamond. Additionally, if you wish to purchase an AGS or GIA certified diamond, you'll be purchasing a loose diamond. Because diamonds are graded prior to being set (to ensure that the setting is neither hiding flaws or influencing the color), AGS and GIA do not provide grading reports on pre-set diamonds. If you're purchasing a pre-set diamond that has an AGS or GIA grading report, that generally means the ring was previously owned (and the original owner had the graded diamond set). However, if you need a piece of jewelry yesterday, a pre-set diamond may be the way to go. Additional Resources Where to Buy Editor's Pick! Mondera: AGS and GIA certified loose diamonds DiamondSafe.com: EGL certified diamonds Tutorials, Guides Diamond Buying Guide: More extensive information about each of the Four Cs, precious metals, diamond pricing, and more. Auntie's Diamonds: More extensive information presented in a humorous (and accurate) manner.

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