How would you like to live in a city with a warm climate year-round?

When conditions are chilling cold on the East Coast, Phoenix remains reasonably warm. But when it gets excruciatingly hot elsewhere, the temperature in Phoenix relatively remains the same, which explains why tourists are always trooping into Phoenix from all corners of the country. But the city's naturally warm climate is not its only claim to fame, which can get unbearably hot at times. It is no wonder that the city is christened the Valley of the Sun.

However, the fact that you can enjoy the outdoors throughout the year is a welcome relief, and so if you are an outdoor freak, Phoenix has numerous exciting things to do. You can choose to explore the many botanical gardens found within the city's surroundings and the high-end hotels with luxurious spas and golf courses.

Cruising around the streets of Phoenix, you will never miss the city's beautiful shopping centers, such as the Melrose District, the Newton Shopping Center, and the Biltmore Fashion Park. Most of these spots are a one-stop destination for all your shopping needs, though some centers offer specific kinds of goods.

Phoenix is also one of the most populous and fastest-growing cities in the United States. It has frequently been ranked among cities with the best retail climate, which explains why it is an industrial hub, especially for businesses in the manufacturing and service sectors.

Jewelry trade is one of the industries that flourish in Phoenix. The city has plenty of jewelry merchants throughout its span, which comes as good news for a diamond buyer. However, you may face bottlenecks when shopping for diamonds in this city due to the absence of a diamond district. But you do not need to fret. Instead, you need to arm yourself with the requisite information before you go shopping.

What Does the Absence of a Diamond District Mean?

As already mentioned, Phoenix does not have a diamond district. The closest to a diamond district are some individual stores, who only have one thing in common with a diamond district: their somewhat ingenious names. For example, the Arizona Diamond Center that you may confuse with a specialized diamond exchange center. The reality, though, is far from it. Instead, the Arizona Diamond Center is one of the jewelry stores within Arizona state, located at 7611 W. Thomas Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85033. Besides Phoenix, the store has locations in various other Arizona cities, such as Mesa and Tempe.

The Arizona Diamond District is another store that shares no similarity with a proper diamond district, except for its fancy name. The Arizona Diamond District is located at 4040 E McDowell Rd STE 113 4040 E McDowell Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85008. When looking for an ideal place to shop for diamonds in Phoenix, the above stores will come up often.

Though they have no resemblance to a diamond district, these stores offer somewhat fair bargains. But as you shall find out, they are not the only reputable diamond vendors in Phoenix.

Diamonds in different cuts

With the absence of a diamond district in Phoenix, what are your options? As a diamond buyer, quality and affordability should matter for you the most if you want a stunning gem at the most affordable price tag—one that will wow your partner.

The good news is that you do not have to visit a physical outlet to do so. The internet is awash with information on almost all matters. Businesses are increasingly tapping into this vast marketplace, and as a diamond shopper, you can also leverage this vast resource to find your ideal retailer.

Why Shop for Diamonds Online in Phoenix?

Shopping for diamonds online presents numerous advantages. You can sample as many diamonds as possible at your own pace. Besides, it is a seamless experience that knows no geographical or time barriers. It does not matter where you live within Phoenix since all you have to do is indicate your address of choice. The vendor will then ship the merchandise right to your address.

Online jewelry shopping in Phoenix also comes with an extra layer of security. Diamond is a prestigious and luxurious piece of jewelry, and thieves understand this well. Physical diamond outlets are not entirely safe. The risks of losing your precious merchandise to over-ambitious thugs always loom large. Thankfully, these are not the kind of sufferings that you will endure when you shop online because you can complete the entire shopping process without ever stepping into a store.

Lastly, buying diamonds online is cheaper than in brick-and-mortar stores because fewer factors influence jewelry pricing. Remember that in physical outlets, the merchants operate from rented facilities. Such spaces often attract high rents, depending on their proximity to the Phoenix business district. Hence, diamonds in physical stores always have extra mark-ups added to them, and sadly, it is the final consumer like you who bears them.

Besides rent, physical stores are characterized by pressure selling. Some of these stores feature astute salespeople who are very efficient at discerning their clients. The prices they quote for you depend on how they perceive your purchasing power. For instance, they might quote a relatively higher rate if you go shopping with your partner. The online marketplace is free of these dishonest selling tactics.

How to Shop for Diamonds Online

Shopping for diamonds in Phoenix online may be the most convenient option, but it is not as easy as it sounds.

First, you must determine what you are looking for. To do so, you would need to understand the Four Cs. Diamonds are graded based on four crucial aspects – color, cut, carat weight, and clarity. If you check into online displays unprepared, everything might look stunning, and as such, you could end up buying a diamond that is not your taste or style.

It is worse if you are buying the jewel for your partner. You should know which colors mainly catch their fancy and determine what clarity rating would work for them. A diamond may look eye-clean even when infused with imperfections. But as you shall find, clarity is a somewhat relative term. You could choose to go by a professionally-prepared diamond clarity scale. However, your best bet is to look at what appears eye-clean to you.

Similarly, it would help to determine the carat weight that you desire, depending on how you intend to use the jewel. For instance, carat weight recommendations for necklaces are different from those of diamond engagement rings. The cut is also a paramount consideration. There are many options that you can choose from; some of the most notable and fanciful include the cushion, princess, Asscher, and marquise cuts.

Most importantly, remember that diamond prices vary significantly depending on the above parameters. Rarer diamond colors, like red, tend to be more expensive than the more abundant ones. In terms of cuts, the round brilliant cuts are the costliest. Common logic dictates that the higher the carat weight, the more expensive the jewel, though there are more factors besides the Four Cs that influence a diamond's price.

After settling with the Four Cs, check the return policy of a vendor. Most vendors in Phoenix offer return policies of up to a couple of days, which gives you ample time to go over the merchandise and determine whether they are worth keeping or returning. However, you might come across vendors with somewhat shorter return policies. It could also happen that their offers appear incredible despite their unfavorable return policies. In such cases, you may consider finalizing your purchase at their physical stores. That way, you will be able to double-check the jewelry before buying it.

Another crucial step when shopping for diamonds online is to check the payment options. Reputable stores would insist that you pay using trusted methods like PayPal and credit cards. Regardless of the payment method you use, ensure that you have some form of payment acknowledgment receipt.

Lastly, compare prices across different vendors. You will find significant variances in the costs of diamonds across multiple stores. Ascertain that you are making an "apple-to-apple" comparison. For instance, the following diamonds may look similar:

Ideal Cut | H Color | VVS2 Clarity

But as you can see, they have different cuts and carat weights, which is why their prices cannot be the same, even if they are available in one store.

If everything looks okay, place your order. At this point, you can either order online or proceed to the vendor's physical address.

Popular Diamond Vendors in Phoenix

Jay Goldman, Ltd. has a history spanning over 40 years. The merchant is famous for its wide assortment of diamond jewelry, such as diamond rings, bracelets, earrings, and pendants. Jay Goldman also offers additional services like repairs, engravings, and appraisals.

Halo Precision Piercing, LLC

Halo Precision co-founders, Glen and Kesley, started in 1992 as body piercers, long before they shifted to the jewelry trade. Presently, Halo Precision is primarily a diamond jewelry dealer. The jeweler offers a full range of diamonds, from loose diamonds to pre-mounted pieces. Besides, they still do body piercings and offer three free piercings to their customers.

Burland Jewelry Center, Inc.

Since its inception in 1980, Burland Jewelry has offered service to over 10000 families worldwide. The vendor employs a highly-functional jewelry evaluation system and stock only GIA-certified diamonds. To avail the best to their customers, Burland partners with renowned jewelry manufacturers, including Ancora Designs, Frederic Duclos, and Overnight Mountings.

Conclusion

Buying diamonds in Phoenix does not have to be a painstaking experience. Furthermore, the absence of a diamond district should not dampen your spirits either because Phoenix's streets have enough supply of jewelry vendors. It only requires a little preparation to locate the best store for you.