Diamond Watches: What to Know Before You Buy

There are some things in life that are always appreciated, never taken for granted and that never go out of style. Diamond watches are one of those things. They are well-suited for any gift-giving occasion, from birthdays to anniversaries to a simple "I love you," and are guaranteed to put a smile on the recipient's face.

Before you buy, give yourself a little education on the brands, styles and costs of these beauties. Learn how to recognize quality diamonds so that you know you are getting what you pay for.

When you purchase the watch, read the warranty carefully, as some will cover replacement and resetting of any loose or lost diamonds. Be sure to have the watch appraised, and send the appraisal to your insurance company so that you know your purchase is covered.

Diamond watches are made for both men and women, and come in all shapes and sizes. Before you start your shopping, get a feeling for the style of watch you are looking for: sophisticated and elegant, casual or chic and trendy.

The more sophisticated watches will typically have bands made of silver, gold or platinum. They are usually very thin, not too large in size with a simple face in black or white.These watches generally have many tiny diamonds covering the band or face, or a few simple large diamonds set around or on the face.

Casual watches normally have bands made of silver, gold, leather or some type of fabric. They can be large or small, thick or thin, and have small to medium diamonds ringing the face or scattered on the watch's face. When purchasing a casual diamond watch, it is important to match the style to the recipient's personality--colorful, subdued, comfortable or sporty.

The rise of rap and hip hop set off a new trend in diamond watches, known simply as "bling." Bling refers to any piece of jewelry that is large and loud, containing as much gold or platinum and as many diamonds as is humanly possible. These types of watches are best for the younger trendy set, or the older gentleman who thinks he is 21 again.

You have probably heard of Seiko, Bulova, Movado, Rolex, Gucci and Jacob & Co. But there are several other brands of diamond watches that you should also shop and compare.

Joe Rodeo (also known as JoJo) has several lines of diamond watches for both men and women, using a variety of black and white diamonds. Styles range from fun and casual to classic. Prices start at roughly $150 and go up to $10,000.

Benny Co. comes with a high price tag, roughly $5,000, but its line of diamond mens' and ladies' watches is well worth the money.

Luxuryman watches are high quality, and is one of the brands that will give you the most value for the money.

Invicta watches are timeless and traditional, with many styles for both men and women.

Other brands to look at include Luccello, Blingster, Iced Out, Techno Swiss, Tenakey, Sturhling, Geneve, Breitling and JoJino. Several designer lines, like Gucci and Ecko, also produce diamond watches, so be sure to ask about your favorite designer.

The cost of the watch that you ultimate purchase will come down to three things: quality, name and number and type of diamonds. A casual-style watch with just a few diamond chips can be purchased for under $200 and go up to $1,000. But shoppers should expect to spend up to $2,500 for a good watch with a decent number of diamonds.On the high end, diamond watches can range from $10,000 up to over $200,000.

Determining the value of a diamond watch is best left to a professional jeweler, but there are some things you should know before purchasing to make sure that you are getting what you pay for.

Keep in mind the Four Cs of diamonds: Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat.

Cut: Most diamond watches have very small diamonds on them spread across or around the face or on the band. These diamonds are so small that cut is irrelevant. If you are purchasing a watch with just a few larger diamonds, they may be cut in a round, or brilliant, cut, oval, pear, marquise or one of many other less common cuts.

Color: Most people are familiar with white diamonds that are actually clear. Today's diamond watches incorporate diamonds in many different colors including black, pink, yellow, green and brown.

Clarity: The clarity of a diamond refers to the number and size of inclusions. These cannot normally be seen by the naked eye. Bring your larger diamonds to a reputable jeweler who can give you a report and/or appraisal.

Carat: Before color, cut and clarity come into play when pricing a diamond, its weight is taken into consideration. Weight is measured in carats for diamonds, and it is important to know how many carats are on the watch you are about to purchase. If the watch has a few large diamonds, you should know the carats of each one. For watches with many small diamonds, be sure to ask the total weight in carats.