How to Choose The Right DiamondDiamond come in all shapes and quality. When you are shopping for a diamond engagement ring, you will hear jewelers refer to the 4 Cs. This stands for Color, Cut, Clarity and Cost. Beginning with the cost, this will be determined in large part by the color, cut and clarity of the diamond, as well as the mounting the diamond is set into. Find the unique ring that loudly whispers "I Love You!"
Guide on How to Bid at Bidz - a No Risk Way Color grades run through the alphabet from "D" to "Z". A "D" color diamond is the very best color grade you can buy, and is considered to be completely colorless. As you go down through the alphabet, you will begin to see more and more color until at "Z" the diamond will be an obvious yellow color. When choosing diamonds I would recommend you stay somewhere between "D" and "J". The average person doesn't begin to really see the color difference until it reaches "J" or "K", unless the diamond is put right next to one of a higher color grade. There are many color grades below "Z", however they are then considered to be colored or "Fancy" diamonds. I'm sure you've heard of the Hope diamond which is an excellent example of a colored diamond, as it is an exquisite 57 Carat blue diamond, and currently resides in the Smithsonian. Clarity is another important consideration when buying diamonds. Some will tell you it's the most important consideration. Clarity grades will run from Flawless, which you probably can't afford, all the way down through I3, which is not a diamond you will want to buy. There are many grades of diamonds below I3, which are known as commercial or promotional grade. These are the diamonds you will find in a lot of the large credit oriented jewelry stores. Depending on your budget, I would recommend buying diamonds graded as SI1 or above. The word "Flawless" doesn't necessarily mean the diamond is actually without flaws. It only means it is flawless when viewed under 10 power magnification. An SI grade diamond will appear flawless to the naked eye. Personally, unless you are buying diamonds for investment purposes, I see no point in paying for something you cannot see, which is why I would suggest buying an SI1 grade diamond for an engagement ring. The cut of a diamond sounds as if it might refer to the shape. It doesn't. Instead, it refers to the way the facets are cut (facets are the little flat surfaces of a gemstone.) as well as the proportions of the stone. Ideally a diamond is cut with particular percentages of the stone being allocated to the top and bottom, as well as the table, which is the large flat facet on the very top. If these proportions are not correct, they can seriously effect the appearance as well as the value of a diamond. Now we come to the fourth "C", which is the cost. The cost of a diamond is determined by the other 3 Cs. In other words, you will pay a great deal more for A "D-Flawless" diamond than you will for a "G-SI1" grade diamond, although both of them will be beautiful stones and will make excellent diamonds for an engagement ring. One more word about choosing a diamond: Not all diamonds are created equally. While the 4 Cs should certainly be considered when buying a diamond engagement ring, the bottom line is how the diamond looks to you. Even though two diamonds may have the exact same color, cut, clarity and cost, one of them may be much prettier or livelier looking than the other. I can't tell you why that is, but I have seen it enough times to know it is indeed a fact. By all means, don't hesitate to use your own good judgment when you are looking for that special engagement ring for the love of your life.
Extremely Expensive
Click here to add this page to your favorites
|
