4 Important Details Every Woman Should Know When Buying an Engagement Ring
Diamond-Cut
Diamonds come in all shapes and sizes. The cut of a diamond, however, refers to its proportions and symmetry. This is very important to know because how a diamond is cut determines its sparkle. A brilliant diamond is usually classified with a cut grade of Very Good or Ideal, so look out for those! Cut grades of Ideal are only awarded to round-shaped diamonds, however. For other shapes, like a princess, look out for Good or Very Good grades.
Diamond Color
Generally speaking, the less color a diamond has, the more rare and valuable it is. Color grades range from colorless, which is a grade D, and go all the way to Z, which has a notable amount of color. E and F grades are also considered colorless. Color can’t even be spotted on G, H, and I grades with the naked eye. Diamonds below an L grade, however, are definitely not as brilliant as those graded above it. When color is visible with yellow tones, like with J, K, and L grades, colored metals are usually recommended to counteract the yellow tint of the diamond.
Diamond Clarity
Clarity refers to the diamond’s marks and blemishes, or the lack thereof. Small marks on a diamond can be a natural part of the stone, but for those wanting a clean-cut diamond, even the tiniest inclusions should be avoided. An example of a low clarity grade is a SI2. A suggested minimum clarity grade is a VS2. For a more brilliant-cut diamond, a clarity grade of at least VVS2 is highly recommended.
Diamond Carat
The carat of a diamond is the measurement of its weight. The average carat weight is 1 carat. The term carat is also commonly used to refer to a diamond’s size, but there are other factors that determine its size. Carat weight depends on the diamond shape, cut, and weight distribution. The sparkle of a diamond can, at times, be disregarded in order to get a larger carat weight. What we can take away from the 4 C’s is that size/carat isn’t everything, contrary to popular misconception, and the remaining three C’s are important to take into consideration when purchasing a lifelong diamond ring.