No matter if you’re shopping for a promise ring, engagement ring or just a fun stackable ring, when you’re purchasing certified diamonds, there are very specific details to look for and concepts to understand. But, with so much information out there, it can be hard to keep track of everything or know what’s important and what isn’t! We’re here to give you 5 easy tips to remember when ring shopping to ensure you get the perfect diamond…at the perfect price!
1 – Know What Shape You Want
If your ring has a center stone, the first thing you want to decide on is your desired shape. Although many people confuse shape and cut, the shape is the geometrical outline of the diamond — such as round, oval, pear, etc. Each shape has its own parameters when it comes to the 4 C’s and can vary in price and appearance. For example, a 1 carat round cut diamond will most likely look like a 1 carat diamond…especially if it’s placed in a solitaire setting. But, the same sized radiant diamond will look much larger than 1 carat because of its astonishing facets and shape. Going into the buying process with a shape in mind will keep you from learning about the 4 C’s for every single shape, cutting down the confusion and time.
2 – Get The Gist of The 4 C’s
Now that you know your shape, it’s important to understand the 4 C’s — particularly for your shape.
The easiest of the four is carat: this is the weight of the diamond (and usually one of the most important aspects to a lot of women). As mentioned above, the shape of your stone can represent the carat weight exactly or even look larger than it really is, in some cases. If you’re hoping to make your diamond look as large as possible — without actually increasing the carat weight — think about placing the stone in a halo setting. By encircling your center diamond with a row of accent diamonds, it will trick the eye to make your diamond appear larger.
Next up is cut. This is often what people confuse with shape, however, the cut actually refers to how the diamond’s features interact with light. Like a first date, the cut of a diamond can be: fair, good, very good, excellent or ideal. And, as you would with a second date, you should really stay away from anything below ‘good’. This will ensure that your diamond gives enough sparkle. However, depending on your diamond shape, you might be able to give or take a bit on the cut.
The clarity of your diamond will include letters and a number, such as ‘VVS1”. This represents the number of inclusions and flaws present in the stone. Moving one place up or down on the clarity scale might not be very noticeable to the naked eye. However, there are some stones that show inclusions more than others, such as emeralds. In this case, you may want to put more focus on clarity, and less on cut.
Finally, the color of the diamond actually represents the absence of color. These levels will be represented by one single letter. The best color you can get in a diamond is ‘D’, however, there are stones with colors that go as low as ‘Z’. It’s suggested to try and stay above a ‘J’ color so that your stone does not appear yellow. It’s also may be necessary to get a better colored diamond if you’re thinking about placing the stone in a yellow or rose gold setting.
3 – Know All Your Choices
When it comes to the actual diamond, there are two choices: mined diamonds or lab-grown. Although mined diamonds have historically been the norm, the negative effects that mining has on our earth has pushed many people to consider lab-grown. Not to mention, man-made diamonds can be anywhere from 20-30% less expensive. For many couples, this means they can get a better ring (whether that be a higher color grade or larger carat) for the same budget that they had set aside of a mined diamond.
4 – Shop Around
Like any other large purchase, doing your homework and shopping around is the best way to find the best product. Once you’ve done your homework on the 4 C’s for your particular shape, you’ll be able to go into negotiations with knowledge, preventing anyone from trying to sell you a diamond that you don’t want or need. It’s important to get a few estimates from different jewelers so you know what the average price will be for your particular ring. It’s also important to note that a true diamond expert will take the budget they’re given and help you find the best ring for you, not for their sales record.
5 – Buy Online
Although it can be fun to go in-store and try on rings, it can also be extremely overwhelming and bit annoying. Crowded shops with pushy salesmen are the last place you want to be when deciding on such an important purchase. This moment should be about you and your significant other, and online diamond retailers give you this ability. Shopping online has become such a part of our lives, that it’s no surprise diamond stores are following suit. Not only can you pick out your ring from the comfort of your own home, but online stores often give you a generous return policy just in case you need to make any changes to your ring.
Purchasing a diamond ring can be a big, important decision. But, going into the process having done your research can make a world of difference. So, stick with these 5 easy tips when you start the ring shopping experience, and you’ll be sure to get the diamond ring of your dreams!