Choosing A Diamond

No two diamonds are exactly alike. You will never find one that is the exactly the same as any other one.

How are prices for diamonds determined? The price of a diamond is based on its individually graded color, clarity, cut and carat weight. Also commonly referred to as the 4 C’s of a Diamond or the Four Characteristics of Diamonds.

Purchasing loose cut diamonds can be an effective diamond buying strategy considering equally both the cost and its quality. Loose cut diamonds refer to diamonds that have been cut and polished but not yet placed in a ring setting. If you buy a loose cut diamond, you have the advantage of seeing your diamond in a variety of ring settings, offering you the additional choice of having the ring customized to your specifications. By focusing first on the diamond you can afford to create the perfect diamond ring.

The Four Characteristics of Diamonds
A diamond is characterized by the four C's: carat weight, clarity, color, and cut. While caret weight is a consideration, don't make the mistake of focusing solely on diamonds sizes. The other diamond characteristics, such as cut, can greatly impact the look and symmetry of your diamond even more than the carat weight. Another important consideration is clarity, which refers to the number and type of flaws that are found in the diamond. Clarity is very difficult to judge accurately, as most flaws are only visible under a microscope necessitating the need for grading certificates from recognized laboratories such as GIA.

A Diamond’s Cut
The cut of your loose diamonds is perhaps the most important consideration. The cut will determine, to a large extent, the brilliance of your diamonds which in turn suggests the best diamond setting. Most gemologists consider cut the most important diamond characteristic because even if a diamond has perfect color and clarity, a diamond with a poor cut will have dulled brilliance. The width and depth can have an effect on how light travels within the diamond, and how it exits in the form of brilliance. A brilliant cut usually has triangular facets that surround the stone, leading to what is a flat top, or often called a table. These differ from the more traditional emerald or step cuts, but provide the shiniest diamonds available.

Read : The Intangibles of Buying a Diamond.

Every stones' shape and cut requires different proportions for the best appearance: if you have already decided on a diamond shape before shopping for your engagement ring, be sure to investigate the specific dimensions that are ideal for that shape. By being an educated shopper, you can easily purchase a quality stone that will not only wow your fiance, but will be a brilliant investment for many years.

Purchasing loose cut diamonds can be a jewelry investment that lasts a lifetime. Spend some time familiarizing yourself with the many choices in diamonds and ring settings available to you.