Buying a diamond in the Los Angeles Diamond district can save your thousands of dollars than if you purchased from a typical retail jewelry store like Tiffany, Zales or Kay Jewelers.

View your diamond with a 10x loupe (a jeweler’s magnification glass). For extra security, buy a diamond with a laser inscription on the girdle of the diamond. This is a like a VIN number on the car and can be viewed with a 10x jewelers loupe.

If you buy a loose diamond, make sure the diamond dealer weighs the stone on a scale to verify the weight of the stone.Purchase loose diamond with an independent certificate (GIA or EGL are reputable independent laboratories).

Make sure that your diamond comes with a written money-back guarantee from your diamond dealer. Find reputable diamond dealers with high customer reviews on independent websites like Citysearch, Yahoo! Local.