There are so many choices for engagement rings, and diamond prices can seem daunting. To get the most out of your diamond purchase, you need to make some choices. Use these tips to pick the perfect ring that will not only make you look good, but one that she will treasure forever.
Give up the pursuit of perfection
More than anything, a diamond engagement ring symbolizes an everlasting commitment and endless love. So it’s natural to want a ring that represents that solemn promise and is absolutely perfect. But chasing the perfect diamond engagement ring can be counterproductive. The reality is that the more perfect a diamond is, the rarer it is, and scarcity makes it more valuable.
If you’re willing to give up your pursuit of perfection and make a few small compromises, the engagement ring will still be perfect in her eyes, and you won’t have to spend a lot of money before you start your new life together.
Learn How Diamond Quality is Determined
Understanding how to get the best value for your diamond engagement ring requires understanding GIA’s 4Cs: Color , Clarity , Cut and Carat Weight . This is the universal standard for describing diamond quality. The better the quality, the higher the price, and this is true for everything, including diamonds.
Each “C” contributes to the overall appearance of the diamond in a different way. Decide which of the 4Cs is most important to you , and you’ll know where to spend your money. Each “C” is also evaluated differently, giving you a wide range of choices, which gives you more opportunities to make an informed buying choice.
As you read the following advice, keep in mind that it is extremely important to inspect the diamond in person. Diamonds with similar 4C grades can look very different, and diamonds of different grades can look identical. Only by comparing diamonds visually can you determine which combination of qualities you find most attractive and how to best spend your money.
The round brilliant cut is always popular. This 2.28 ct diamond with a G color and VS 1 clarity is proof that the cut of a diamond is the most important choice. Courtesy: Pampillonia Estate and Fine Jewelry
Diamond Cut – Don’t Skimp on Cut
If you’re like most people, you want two things when you buy an engagement ring: a diamond that sparkles and the largest diamond you can afford. So if you’re not reading any further, take this advice: buy a well-cut diamond.
The cut quality of a diamond represents the manufacturing technique of the diamond – the overall proportions, the symmetry of the facet arrangement and the quality of its polish. A well-cut diamond is bright and vivid, with a dazzling light and a diamond that cannot be concealed. Such a diamond is designed to ensure durability and perfect proportions, so you don’t pay for unnecessary weight.
A diamond’s cut can have a huge impact on its appearance. The 0.62 ct round brilliant cut diamond on the left has a Poor cut grade, the 0.73 ct round brilliant cut diamond on the right has an Excellent cut grade, and the 0.81 ct diamond in the center has a Good cut grade.
The cut of a diamond affects its apparent size. A diamond may be cut to retain the maximum carat weight possible, but the weight may be poorly distributed. For example, there may be excess weight hidden in the middle or below the girdle that is not visible. In fact, a poorly cut 1.20 carat diamond may appear to be the same size as a well-cut 1.00 carat diamond. A poorly cut diamond will appear dull, lifeless, and not the ideal size.
If the diamond is well cut, most imperfections in clarity, color, and even weight can be forgiven.
A Very Good cut grade gives this 1.05 ct diamond its dazzling sparkle.
Diamond Color – Can You See the Difference?
Do you really need to spend a fortune on a colorless diamond in the GIA D to F color range? Probably not. Once mounted in a ring, you’re unlikely to see the difference between a colorless diamond and a near-colorless diamond (G to J color range). When shopping for diamonds, remember to compare mounted diamonds of varying color grades in your hand. You may find that you can tolerate a surprising range of colors. You may (and some people do) prefer diamonds with color grades slightly below the GIA D to Z scale , such as J or K, because they have a warmer feel.
Likewise, remember that the appearance of a diamond’s color is greatly affected by the environment. This includes natural and artificial lighting, the color of the clothing you wear, and even the color of the metal used to set the diamond. So, if you’re choosing a white mounting metal like platinum , and you value the diamond’s colorlessness, you can buy a diamond with a color grade of H or higher. Starting at J, K, or L, if the mounting metal is very white (platinum), the color contrast will also become apparent. If you’re choosing yellow gold, a slightly yellowish body color diamond with a lower color grade will not be as noticeable.
The lighter the color of a diamond, the rarer it is. The rarer a diamond is, the more valuable it is.
Diamond Clarity – Don’t Pay for Features You Can’t See
Diamond clarity—or the lack of inclusions and blemishes on a diamond —is highly symbolic. Some people buy an engagement ring thinking that a flawless diamond represents flawless love. However, flawless clarity diamonds are so rare that even a jewelry professional may not see one in their entire career.
The diamonds you are most likely to see will have some inclusions. However, most clarity grades fall into the Very Slightly Included (VVS), Slightly Included (VS) and Slightly Included (SI) ranges, where inclusions are visible only to a trained diamond grader under 10x magnification. Within these grades, you have more options because the difference is not noticeable to the naked eye. In fact, without magnification, an SI2 diamond may look the same as a more expensive VS 1 diamond.
If you’re choosing an emerald cut diamond , you may want to consider investing more in the clarity of the diamond. The long rectangular facets that characterize an emerald cut diamond make inclusions easier to see than the many, smaller facets of a brilliant cut diamond. But if the diamond has many large clarity features, or clarity features that are reflected by the diamond’s multiple facets, they will be easily visible regardless of the shape or cutting style.
This engagement ring features a 1.01 ct diamond with a clarity grade of VS 1. It’s less expensive than similar diamonds with higher clarity grades, but you still can’t see any inclusions with the naked eye.
The higher the clarity of a diamond, the rarer it is. Diamonds with few or no clarity characteristics are extremely rare and, because rarity affects price, they are more expensive.
If you’ve narrowed your choices to VVS or VS diamonds but can’t decide, this article explains the differences in diamond clarity .
Diamond Carat Weight – Below Threshold
Carat weight is another symbolic factor. If you are looking for a large diamond to prove your devotion to love, be prepared to spend more. Large, quality diamonds are rare, and therefore expensive. Because of their rarity, the price of all large diamonds does not scale geometrically, but rather exponentially with weight.
Prices also rise significantly when diamonds reach or just exceed certain weight thresholds, such as 0.50 carats, 0.75 carats, 1.00 carats, etc. These numbers have symbolic significance to some consumers, resulting in greater demand and higher prices. When shopping for diamonds, always compare these diamonds with diamonds that have carat weights just below these thresholds. If all other 4C characteristics are the same, you won’t notice the difference in size and can save money.
It bears repeating our advice on diamond cut quality: don’t skimp on cut. A well-cut diamond will appear larger than a less well-cut diamond of the same or higher carat weight.
Request a GIA Diamond Grading Report
When shopping for a diamond engagement ring, make sure you only look at diamonds that come with a GIA Diamond Grading Report . A grading report gives an unbiased assessment of the diamond’s 4Cs and can also reveal if the diamond has been treated to improve its color and/or clarity. GIA is a nonprofit organization with no sales interest, so you can be confident that the information in a GIA report is objective and accurate.
When choosing the right diamond for your engagement ring, it’s also important to consider the overall style, which is largely determined by the shape of the diamond. There are so many shapes you can choose from, read our blog for more tips on how to choose the perfect diamond for your loved one .
