Diamonds have always enjoyed a royal status among gemstones when it comes to jewelry. Although discovered in the 4th century BC, the first incidence of diamonds being used in an engagement ring was recorded in 1477. Diamonds, due to their longevity, became a popular choice for engagement rings. Diamond engagement rings are meant to symbolize a union that is unbreakable or unconquerable. And this comes from the fact that Diamond’s name is taken from a Greek word “adamas,” meaning unbreakable.
Buying a diamond for an engagement ring to symbolize your affection for your loved one is still popular today. Let me tell you why. In the year 1919, the demand for diamonds depleted by almost 50%. This affected De Beers (the company controlling the demand and supply of diamonds globally); then, in 1947, they came up with a brilliant marketing strategy, and hence, the slogan “A Diamond is forever” was coined. This De Beers marketing campaign popularized diamonds once again and instilled in us that diamonds should be the only choice for engagement rings.
If you are on the lookout for the best diamond engagement ring for the love of your life, then this post is for you. In this post, I will give you tips for buying luxury diamond jewelry and things to consider when buying one. So, read on and figure out a way to get the most out of your engagement ring-buying process.
Tips For Buying A Diamond Engagement Ring
Buying an engagement ring is a very thoughtful process. Will your partner like it? How will it look on your partner’s hand? What shape diamond would they want on the ring? These are the questions you should get answers to in advance. Apart from these questions, below are a few practical tips you can follow when buying a diamond ring.
1- Know Your Budget
You probably already know that diamonds are expensive, so knowing your budget can help you find what you are looking for. Determining a budget before you even start is a great way to narrow down your options for a good diamond ring. Keep in mind that you can find a good diamond in most budgets. Still, it is crucial to remain flexible.
You can also buy lab-made diamonds, although lab-made diamonds do not retain their value, nor do mined diamonds. Lab-made diamonds have the same durability as mined diamonds but cost 30% less.
2- Know What Shape You Want
Knowing what shape you want can help further narrow your options. The best shape you can get is what your partner wants. Figuring out which shape they want is a matter you have to handle on your own. You can do that by observing or simply by asking what your partner wants, but remember to ask subtly.
Round diamonds are the most in demand, but other shapes cost less. You have many choices when it comes to shapes: pears, squares, ovals, rectangles, and triangles. Round diamonds sometimes look smaller than other shapes of the same carat weight.
3- Figure Out A Color Grade
Flawless and colorless diamonds are the most expensive and receive the best grades. The color grade you will choose depends on the material and the color of the ring.
4- Find The Best Cut
Now, it is time to start browsing. Once you have set your budget, figured out a shape, and know which color grade will best complement the ring, you can start looking for the diamond. The best way to go about this is to choose the sparkliest and biggest diamond you find within your budget.
The 4 C’s to Consider
Whenever buying a diamond or diamond ring, you should always consider the four Cs: clarity, color, cut, and carat. Diamonds come with a grading report when you buy them. These reports show grades for clarity, color, and carat. Only round diamonds come with a cut grading; other shaped diamonds do not have a cut grading.
Clarity Grade
Diamond clarity grades range from Flawless F to Included I2, with Flawless being the top quality or highest graded and Included being the lowest. The complete clarity scale from the highest grade to the lowest: F, IF, VVS1, VVS2, VS1, VS2, SI1, SI2, I1, and I2.
In clarity, the grade F does not mean that the diamond is actually flawless. It means that the flaws it has can not be seen through the microscope used for grading.
Color Grade
You’ll find diamonds from color grades D through M. Diamonds with color grade D have the least color. The color increases as you go further down the color grading list. Colored diamonds like pink and blue have their separate color grading system.
Cut Quality
This may be the most important of the four Cs. Cut quality affects how we perceive a diamond. A well-cut diamond makes it difficult to find flaws. It also exudes more brilliant white light that makes the gem appear bigger.
The last C is for carat, the unit of measurement for diamonds.
Summary
The use of engagement rings to symbolize commitment to a loved one dates back to Roman civilization. A diamond ring was first used as an engagement ring in 1477. It is crucial to consider the 4 Cs when buying a diamond ring. You should also follow the tips in the post to get the most out of your engagement ring-buying experience.
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