It is difficult to be aware about all of the qualities of a diamond ring when buying one for the first time. Especially when there are several different qualities and characteristics to every ring. Every ring has its own personality, therefore careful consideration should be taken to fit the style of your fiancé. There are four different characteristics to “beauty and brilliance” to contemplate when buying a diamond ring.
- The Cut of the diamond does not refer to the shape of the diamond, but rather the diamond’s reflective qualities. A diamond’s cut is what gives it its shine and brilliance. The cut’s angles determine how much light the diamond will reflect and shine. The cut of a diamond is arguably the most important factor in deciding on a ring to buy. Less light reflected into the eye means less quality and beauty. There are four cuts of diamonds: ideal, fine, shallow and deep. The best cuts are those that are most proportionate in terms of how the depth and diameter compare to each other and to the diamond.
- The Clarity of the diamond refers to the identifying of inclusions and blemishes, which are the two types of flaws in a diamond’s clarity. The inclusions of a diamond are its internal imperfections. The blemishes of a diamond refer to the external, outside flaws. Inclusions are internal flaws such as air bubbles, cracks and non-diamond minerals found within the diamond. The external blemishes are scratches, chips and pits.
- The Color of the diamond is what jewelers refer to when they are speaking of the presence or absence of color in white diamonds. As opposed to white diamonds, fancy colored diamonds are more rare and expensive and can be any color from deep indigo to bright yellow. While buying the whitest and brightest diamond is what most people do, there are others who prefer the soft and warm glows of lower-color diamonds that can be found for cheaper and actually look better depending on the diamond’s setting.
- Carat is the measurement used to weigh diamonds. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams, or 0.2 grams. Determining what size of diamond to buy depends on your budget, the cut and clarity of the ring, and what will be proportionate to your girlfriend’s fingers. Finding a balance between cut and clarity will lead you to finding the appropriate carat size that is friendly to your budget. If you know that your girlfriend would prefer a larger ring, it is possible to find a ring that is large with slightly lower cut and clarity qualities that is still in your budget. Finding a balance between the different aspects of a ring can put you in your price range, leading you to find the perfect ring.
Good luck in finding the best diamond for your fiancé! Following the four Cs along with your budget, her style and other factors will make the proposal process a piece of cake by the time you get to the reception.
*Photo by Tiffany Day
