Are you in the market for the perfect diamond ring? You will first have to learn about the 4Cs of diamond, the setting styles, metal characteristics, and many more. In this post, we will guide you through choosing the perfect diamond ring and all the factors you must consider to make a smart purchase.
Learn About The 4Cs
Before purchasing any diamond, know about the 4Cs: Clarity, Color, Carat, and Cut. The 4Cs are a global standard for assessing the quality of diamonds created by GIA. These standards allow you to compare one diamond to another. Let's take a deep dive:
Cut: The diamond cut describes how well the diamond interacts with the lights. It describes a diamond's proportions, symmetry, and polish, which all determine its brightness, fire, and scintillation.
Color: Diamond color is graded on a scale of D-to-Z. D means that the diamond is colorless, and Z means that the diamond has a brown or light yellow color. Using this color range, diamonds with less color are rare and highly sought after; hence costly.
Carat weight: This determines the diamond's apparent size. The greater the carat weight, the rarer and more expensive the diamond is.
Clarity: Diamonds clarity refers to abscess of internal features in the stone known as inclusions and surface irregularities known as blemishes. It is graded on a scale of Flawless to Included.
Once you learn about the 4Cs, you will learn to eliminate diamonds that do not match your preferences.
Know About Diamond Cut Styles and Shapes
Before you purchase any diamond, you also need to learn about the difference between the cutting style and the shape of the diamond. The shape describes the diamond's outline when you view it face up. The round shape is the most popular, but other shapes are known as fancy, including pear, marquise, square, rectangle, and heart.
Diamond cutting style refers to how diamond facets are arranged. The brilliant cut is the most popular style because it maximizes the diamond's brightness. It is important to note that the most popular cut and shape is the round brilliant cut with 57 or 58 facets.
View The Diamond Under Different Light
A diamond looks very different in fluorescent, daylight, and spotlighting. Many jewelers will use spot lighting known to bring out diamond's fire and brilliance, making the diamond look more dazzling. However, most day-to-day activities do not have dramatic lighting. Ensure you know how the diamond will perform under average lighting conditions, such as under fluorescent lighting, outdoor or diffused light, which is common in homes. It is also important to note that incandescent lighting brings out the diamond's fire while fluorescent lighting brings out the brightness of the diamond.
Choose The Metal Of The Band
Popular bands of diamond rings include rose gold, yellow gold, white gold, and platinum. Platinum and gold have very distinct characteristics, and their colors change the appearance of the diamond differently.
Yellow gold is a classic metal used for thousands of years. It enhances the rarity, color, and luster of the diamond. Rose gold, on the other hand, has increased in popularity over the years. White gold is an alloy of pure gold, while metal such as palladium or nickel is quite durable and inexpensive compared to yellow and rose gold.
The Side Stones
Side stones are the perfect way to dress up the diamond ring and make it look better. Popular choices include making the diamond ring a three-stone ring and adding a halo or colored birthstone or gemstones.
Choose A Reputable Jeweler
A diamond ring is a significant investment; you want to buy it from a trustworthy, reputable jeweler. They should have expert training, and open to questions, and explain how to purchase a clear diamond. Choose a jeweler with credentials from an internationally accredited program such as GIA or APJ (Applied Jewelry Professional).
Isadora Jewelers are GIA accredited, meaning they will explain the 4Cs of diamond to you and demonstrate the different features to ensure you make a smart purchase.
