For generations, the diamond engagement ring has represented eternal love. Learn how to shop for an engagement ring and select the perfect diamond for you in the sections below.
Choosing a Diamond Within Your Price Range
When examining the four C’s of diamond purchase, you must decide which of the four C’s is most significant to you. Is it the color? Is this the case? Is the weight in carats? Is it a combo of all four C’s? Whatever the case may be, the 4Cs ultimately define the worth or purchase price of your ideal diamond. This engagement ring guidance from Ringspo will help you not only choose the right diamond but the right retailer as well.
Which of the four Cs is the most significant, you could ask? Some experts believe that the cut or symmetry is the most critical factor in achieving sparkle, fire, and brightness. Others will argue that the most significant factor is the color. However, while specialists are seasoned professionals who work with diamonds on a daily basis, it is ultimately up to you, the buyer, to judge what is beautiful. Regardless matter what experts say, only you and your fiancé can truly evaluate what is ideal for you, your fiancé, and your budget. After all, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” right?
Discover How to Choose a Diamond
Learn about the four Cs of diamond purchasing. They are as follows: Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat Weight. You should get a diamond that is appropriate in terms of price and quality.
Cut – The cut of a diamond can alter its price by up to 50%. Please keep in mind, however, that cut does NOT refer to the diamond’s form. Shape refers to common cuts such as Princess, Round Brilliant, Oval, Radiant, and so on. Cut relates to the symmetry of a diamond, or how well it is proportioned. The “make” of the diamond is another word used in the diamond business. The diamond’s cut or make dictates how a well-proportioned diamond will dazzle once it has been fashioned and polished for the final user. Once again, a well-cut diamond will attract a higher market price. A poorly cut diamond will be less “fiery” or “brilliant,” as well as less expensive.
Color – Another essential component in evaluating the value of a diamond is its color. The Gemological Institute of America created a letter grading scheme to assess a diamond’s body color or color grade. The color grading scale begins with the letter D and progresses to the letter X. Beginning with the letter D, the diamond will be at its whitest and is also known as colorless. As you progress down the grading scale towards X, the diamond becomes less colorless and often has more yellow tint.
Because white or colorless diamonds are uncommon, they are more precious or expensive. The less expensive a diamond is, the more color or yellow it possesses. The color grading scale is essentially divided into four sections.
Colorless refers to the range of colors from D to F, Near Colorless refers to the range of colors from G to J, Faint Yellow refers to the range of colors from K to M, and Very Light or Light Yellow refers to the range of colors from N to X. Beyond that threshold comes what is known as Fancy Yellow, which is a completely new ballgame.
Here’s an excellent buying tip to remember. Diamonds look finest when they are loose. Even an expert finds it difficult to determine hue when a diamond is put in a ring. When most diamonds are already placed in the ring setting, they will face up as a whiter tone.
Clarity – Clarity relates to how free of inclusions the stone is. Inclusions are naturally occurring traits within the diamond, similar to a diamond’s fingerprint. No two diamonds will ever have the same inclusions orientated in the same manner, just as no one will ever have your finger print pattern. It’s really unlikely.
The greater the number of inclusions in a diamond, the less valuable it is. Inclusions visible to the naked eye are much less expensive. Diamonds with fewer inclusions attract a higher price since they are more uncommon than included diamonds.
Carat Weight – The more the diamond’s carat weight, the higher the price. The unit of measurement used to weigh gemstones is the carat. A point is the smallest unit of measurement beneath a carat. A carat is equivalent to 100 points. Half a carat equals 50 points, so fourth and so forth. Diamonds, of course, come in a variety of weights. The trick is to figure out what your budget permits.
