Choosing a Diamond: Size v.s Quality
The term ‘rock’ is commonly used to describe a diamond of a significant size, and so along with this our intrigue over big stones has grown. Its a popular word when describing celebrity engagement rings, as their status goes hand in hand with the size of the diamond they present for their loved one. Its all very well drooling over the latest big diamond in the celebrity world, but in the real world, does size really matter?
Size and Quality
Most have a realistic budget that they work towards when they are looking to purchase a diamond, and so ‘rocks’ for the majority of people are not always practical. It is also important to remember, however, that the value of a diamond is based on the well-known ‘4 C’s’, which includes the specifics of the quality of the diamond and indeed the size as well. Furthermore, diamonds of a large carat size may not be practical for everybody during day-to-day wear, or they may just not suit your taste, and so in this option the quality is the main focus in your search.
10 Steps to Choosing the Perfect Engagement Ring
Deciding on the perfect engagement ring to give to your intended is extremely challenging if you don’t know where to start. Here is a 10 step simple guide to choosing the right ring for her.
Before you start looking at jewellers
- 1) DECIDE ON A BUDGET AND KNOW HER SIZE
Your personal budget must be considered when purchasing a ring and it is better to do so before you start shopping around. It is conventionally suggested that you spend at least two months worth of your salary on a diamond engagement ring. Ring prices can begin modest, but can range quite high so you’ll need to weigh out your wallet size with her preferences. You should also make sure that at this point you have a measurement for the ring size. Read here if you want tips on finding it without her knowing!
Which Diamond Shape Will Suit Her?
So you're looking into finally getting your lady that diamond engagement ring she's been lusting after for ages, but there's so much choice that it's difficult to guess what she's going to like. Well, just like any other kind of fashion, the kind of diamond a woman prefers will most likely speak for her unique sense of style. In this article we'll explain to you the 10 main diamond shapes, a bit about their history, and what shape will suit her personality best!
Round Brilliant Diamonds for the Classic lady
Most commonly known as brilliant or ‘Round Brilliant cut’ (RBC), this is the classic image of a diamond and suits a classic girl. The modern brilliant cut was born around 60 years ago - it is quite simply the best and most popular cut for diamonds. This refined shape accounts for over 75 per cent of diamonds sold today. Not all round diamonds were and are cut as Brilliants. To be a Brilliant a diamond requires 58-facets divided among its crown (top), girdle (middle-top) and pavilion (base). With a high standard cut, the consequence is a firing gem that shines with absolute brilliance.
It is easy to see why RBCs are by far the most popular diamond shape for engagement rings. Appearing clean, modern and simple it remains elegant, versatile and timeless, perfect for the classic lady who appreciates simplicity and sparkle.
How Important Is the Girdle?
When looking for a diamond, there are many things to take into consideration; so much so that the choice and information can become overwhelming. The four C’s is a great guideline for the most basic and important factors of a diamond, however, there are many other technical terms used in the industry. This article will discuss the girdle and its importance in your diamond selection.
What is the girdle and how is it graded?
The girdle is the edge of the diamond. The purpose of the girdle is to protect the edge of the stone from chipping. Its measurements are presented as either a worded description or a percentage. Like many other of the features of a diamond, labels are used to rate the diamond ranging from Extremely Thin, Very Thin, Thin, Medium, Slightly Thick, Thick, Very Thick, Extremely Thick, Faceted, Smooth to Polished. The girdle can also be presented as a number, for example, 0.7% thin or 3.0% thick.
What Makes a Diamond Sparkle?
Diamonds are notoriously known for their sparkle and shine, but in the rough this is not the case. The crystallised carbon has to go through several processes in order for it to look like the finished product. Included in these processes is the cutting and polishing of the diamond, which are the main factors determining the sparkle and lustre of the diamond.
Diamond Cut
Being one of the four C’s the diamond cut is signalled as an important factor when choosing a diamond ordinarily. The cut is frequently classed as the most important characteristic of a diamond, and has the greatest influence on the diamonds beauty and appearance. Therefore, it is also the greatest determinate in the general sparkle of the stone. The cut refers to the overall polish of the diamond from rough and is a measurement of the amount of light able to travel through the diamond. GIA rates the cut of diamonds on a scale from Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair to Poor.
A Diamond is Forever, and in Terms of Investment Value, Will Always Last
The phenomenon and lust of a diamond has stood the test of time. Diamonds were once believed to possess special healing and mystical qualities, and in 1477 a tradition was born when Archduke Maximillian of Austria gave Mary of Burgundy the first diamond engagement ring. Countless references in every aspect of modern culture engrain the tradition even more, ensuring that the popularity will never falter.
Hence, in this sense, it is reasonable to suggest that any purchase of a diamond is an investment. However, in terms of profit and business investment, it is much more specific. If the outcome of the investment of the diamond is set on millions of profit, such as stones that are seen auctioned at legendary Christie’s, for example, then size and quality does matter. Taking into account the Four C’s (for more information, please see our Diamond Buying Guide) is the most important factor as the rarer the diamond, the more sought-after and the more it is going to be worth in monetary value. D-coloured and Internally Flawless stones of a significant carat weight are going to be the money-makers. Fancy coloured diamonds such as Canary diamonds and pink diamonds will also be valuable, due to their rare beauty.
10 Things To Know Before Buying a Diamond: Part One
Purchasing a diamond can seem quite daunting when confronted with all the terminology and specifications used in making a selection. However, you don’t need to be a diamond expert to make a confident and knowledgeable decision. In this article we will guide you through the 10 most important factors that you need to know in order to get the best diamond for your money. Part two will follow, here are the first five...
1. Carat Weight
Although it might seem the bigger the diamond the better, to get the best value for your money you’ll need to find a good balance between quality and size. Carat, one of the 4 C’s, is the unit of diamond weight. One carat is equal to 0.2 grams.
The carat weight will give you an idea of the size of your diamond, however twice the weight does not mean twice the size. This also works as a roundabout correlation for other diamond shapes. To get a better sense of how carat weight relates to diamond size take a look at our diamond sizing chart.
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