5 mistakes to avoid when buying lab-grown diamonds

5 mistakes to avoid when buying lab-grown diamonds

Diamonds are a popular gifting option. However, natural ones are usually expensive and may not be procured through ethical mediums. So, the ideal solution for most individuals is to purchase lab-grown ones. However, most buyers may be unable to tell the difference between those mined naturally and a lab-created diamond, which could lead to spending on something they do not want. Here are six such errors one should avoid for a seamless purchase.

Skimping on research
Buyers who rush into a diamond purchase may not get the best value for money. One should ensure sufficient research before buying a diamond online or in a store. The buyer should understand the shape, size, and carat weight required. Additionally, one should set parameters, such as the budget and the style they want to buy. Thorough research ensures that one is knowledgeable about what one wants, which may help reduce the chances of getting scammed by a seller.

Overlooking the 4C’s
No two diamonds are the same. Therefore, the price or value of each is determined by the 4C’s. Not being well-versed with or overlooking this determining factor could result in poor identification of a lab-grown one. It may also result in one spending on an inferior product. The 4C’s stand cut, clarity, color, and carat.

Not asking for a certificate
Artificial diamonds are graded and certified by certification institutions such as the International Gemological Institute, GIA, and GCAL. If a diamond isn’t certified, one should refrain from buying it. A diamond assures proper grading of a lab-grown diamond against the 4Cs. The certificate will also protect bytes and sellers by stating that the loose one meets the required quality and standard.

Purchasing from an unknown source
Those who purchase diamonds from an unknown source or unethical sellers and brands might get into a tight situation. While this may help save money, the individual could be misguided, cheated, and misled during the purchase. One should purchase from a reputable diamond seller in business for several years. Though it may cost more, one will get the money’s worth. Additionally, whether buying from a new or an older seller, one should always check the history and credentials of the lab diamond seller before making a purchase.

Falling for heavy discounts
Diamond sellers may offer massive discounts on various pieces, which can be tempting. However, one should remember that the lower price is often because the gemstone is of poor quality, while some might be fake. Buyers should remember that the price of a diamond usually drops during festivals and seasonal sales. One ought to stick to the original rate set according to the 4Cs to get the best man-made diamond for the price they pay.

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A handy guide to buying the right laptop

Laptops are powerful portable tech that is versatile, compact, and fast, making them the preferred choice. However, the best laptop for you is the one that complies with your needs. Now, there is a plethora of laptops in the market. This makes choosing the right device a daunting task. To help you, here is a guide to help you buy a laptop as per your needs and the best ones available in the market. Plan your budget Thanks to tough competition between laptop brands, you can buy a laptop for as low as $200. But if you can increase your budget, you can buy a quality laptop with better performance and features. Laptops like HP Stream and Dell Inspiron 11 3000 are the least expensive, costing about $150-$200. Laptops costing $900 and above have faster processors, cutting-edge graphics, and powerful resolutions. Moreover, they are lighter, making them efficiently portable. Pick your operating system Do you want a Windows or a macOS? There is no wrong answer, as the choice of the operating system solely depends on your preference. If you are confused, here’s a brief summary of each. Windows 10, Microsoft’s latest operating system, is the most flexible. Moreover, laptops with Windows OS are generally inexpensive and offer features like touch screens and dual graphic chips. On the other hand, macOS Big Sur is Apple’s latest desktop operating system and is expensive. If you are a tech wizard and know your way around an OS, you can also choose operating systems like Chrome OS and Linux. Specifications As per your needs and budget, opt for the most powerful processor, as processors influence the performance and speed of the laptop. Most laptops have an Intel® processor, although some laptops even come with an AMD processor. Inexpensive laptops offer Intel® Atom®, Intel® Celeron®, and Intel® Pentium® CPUs that are good for light document editing and browsing. However, if multitasking and speed are important to you, then opt for an Intel® Core™ i3, or better yet, an i5 or i7. Next, you should check the RAM size. Most offer only 4GB RAM space. However, experts recommend that you opt for a minimum of 8GB RAM. Furthermore, get a laptop with a solid-state drive (SSD) since these are three times faster than a hard drive. Consider buying a laptop with a minimum of 9-plus hours battery life with a 12.5- to 14-inch screen size. Top 5 laptops of 2021 To further help you, here are the five best laptops of 2021: Equipped with an 8th Gen Intel® Core™ processor and 16 GB RAM, the Google Pixelbook Go is the perfect choice if you’re looking for a fast and efficient laptop. Along with a great processor and impeccable response rate, this laptop boasts of a touchscreen display that can play 4K videos. If you’re looking to upgrade your laptop, checkout Google’s laptops on sale and save big this shopping season. The Dell XPS 13 offers excellent performance, 3.5K OLED touchscreen, i3-i7 processor, option to choose an 8GB or 16GB RAM, SSD storage, powerful display, and a sleek design. The Apple MacBook Air with the latest M1 chip provides an outstanding 14-plus hours of battery life and lightning-fast processing speed. Next is the Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 that is powered by the Intel® Core™ i5/i7. It comes with features like touchscreen, top-notch graphics, and up to 1TB SSD storage. Finally, don’t forget to check out the latest IdeaPad Slim 7 by electronic giant Lenovo. The recently-released laptop comes with a 15.6” display, 11th Gen Intel® Core™ processor, 512 GB SSD storage, Dolby Atmos® Speaker System, and a whole lot more. If you find this laptop a bit pricey, don’t worry. There are several fantastic deals on Lenovo laptops right now, and you can grab this one at a lower price from the company’s website.

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4 mistakes to avoid when buying football merchandise

For many passionate football fans, owning authentic football merchandise is a dream come true. Whether it’s a team they support or a player they admire, purchasing original merchandise is a tangible way for them to express their love and support for the sport. But unfortunately, buying legitimate football products can be challenging if one does not research well. Also, one needs to avoid certain mistakes in the process to ensure the right items are purchased. Not researching the legitimacy of the seller When one’s looking to purchase football merchandise, the first step is to ensure its authenticity. Do a thorough research on the seller. There are many sellers, both online and offline, that claim to sell original football merchandise, including player/team jerseys, helmets, gloves, hats, and other accessories. However, many of these sellers offer fake products. To avoid falling for such scams, it is advisable for buyers to research the sellers before making a purchase. There are many credible and popular websites that sell original football merchandise. In fact, even the NFL has an official website from where one can buy genuine products. It is always better to be safe than sorry, so take time to research and make an informed purchasing decision. Falling for a suspiciously low price It can be challenging for many to own original football merchandise due to its high costs. But this is what sets a majority of original merchandise items apart from the fake ones. Many times, fake merchandise sellers falsely advertise their products as genuine and claim to offer massive discounts. In such cases, buyers should be cautious. If a price seems too good to be true, verify the authenticity of the seller. Compare the products and their prices on other sites. Being aware of these scams can help one avoid questionable deals and save money for genuine merchandise. Not checking the quality of the product If one is planning to purchase football merchandise offline, there is an easy way to tell if it’s genuine - check its quality. If one has had the chance to check out authentic football merchandise, one would know how great the quality is. So, if one comes across fake products, one can easily tell upon touching and checking the product’s quality. The poor quality of fake products is easily noticeable. For instance, in jerseys, one would notice the embroidery or the print is not neat, and the fabric material feels inferior. Not knowing the terminology Before proceeding to buy original football merchandise, it is also important for individuals to learn the common terminology associated with it. This knowledge will help buyers make informed purchasing decisions. Two terms that are often thrown around are “authentic” and “replicated.” Authentic refers to the merchandise that is made to the exact specifications of those worn by players. On the other hand, replicated merchandise closely resembles the original and is produced by genuine brands but has a more relaxed fit, making it suitable for all body types. So, when looking for such products, make sure to find reliable sellers and brands that offer genuine products.

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4 tips that can help you pick the right investment advisor

4 tips that can help you pick the right investment advisor

An investment advisor can be a game-changer. A capable advisor can help solve most of your financial issues and give you the best investment advice so that you can turn market situations to your favor. But, finding the right investment advisor is not easy. Here are a few things you need to keep in mind while looking for the best investment advisor. Know what type of service you need First, you need to decide what kind of financial assistance you need. Do you need help picking investments? Or are you seeking advice on real estate, retirement, or insurance needs? Asking yourself these questions will help determine the type of investment advisor you are looking for. Nowadays, many people use a robo-advisor, which is as competent as a human investment advisor. A robo-advisor is great for investment management and other basic investments. But if you want substantial transformation in your money-situation, a human advisor is the viable option. Choose a fee-only advisor If you’ve decided to pick a human advisor, the next step is to choose the type of advisor: commission-based, fee-based, or fee-only. If you’re planning something big financially, you must pick a fee-only advisor. Such advisors work for and get paid by other clients like you, so they always act in their clients’ best interest.
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A good credit score is essential as it can be a criterion for lucrative job prospects or renting an apartment. Moreover, a good credit score is an uncompromisable necessity while applying for a loan that has terms and conditions that favor you. To ensure that you have a good credit score, it is better to start building it young and early. One of the easiest ways to do so is by applying for a student credit card from prominent credit cards companies. Now, there are several credit cards companies that offer lucrative credit cards, making choosing the right one confusing. To help you narrow down your choices, here are some of the best credit cards companies that offer student credit cards. Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students: One of the biggest credit card companies in the country Bank of America offers a slew of benefits with its student credit card. With each dollar spent using this card, students can earn 1.5 points. This applies to purchases without any caps. The points can be redeemed as discounts on hotels, flights, rental cars, and vacation packages. There are no restrictions or blackout dates applicable for availing these discounts. With no foreign transaction fee or annual fee, the card allows one to earn nearly 25,000 points on spending about $1000 in the first 90 days.
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