Learn the 4Cs
To buy a diamond engagement band, you should first know the 4Cs: Cut, Color, Clarity, and Cut. The 4Cs, created by GIA, is the international standard for assessing diamond quality and allow you to compare different diamonds.
The 4Cs can be summarized as follows:
Color: color is rated on a D to Z scale. D means that a colorless diamond is colorless, and Z means a colorless diamond has light yellow or dark brown. This color range is where diamonds with less color are rarer and, therefore, more sought-after.
Clarity: Clear means that there are no internal features. These are inclusions and any surface irregularities. The Clarity scale is from Flawless to Included.
Cut How well a diamond interacts with light is determined by its quality. A diamond’s proportions, symmetry, and polish determine its brilliance (or brightness), scintillation or sparkle (or fire), and color flashes.
Carat Weight: The apparent size of a diamond is determined by its carat weight. If the other Cs are comparable, the higher the carat weight of a diamond is, the rarer and most valuable.
After you have understood the meaning of the 4Cs, you can ask yourself, “Which is my most important C?” Prioritizing these 4Cs will allow you to quickly eliminate duplicates and narrow down the perfect diamond for you. This will help you to work within your budget by determining which C you are willing and able to sacrifice.
Learn about the different cuts and shapes of diamonds
Before shopping for an engagement band, it is essential to understand the differences between a diamond’s cut style and shape. When viewed from the top, the figure refers to the outline of a diamond. Round is the most common shape for diamonds. Many other conditions, also known as fancy shapes, such as the marquise and pear. These include the oval and square.
*Tip – Round brilliant diamonds are the most expensive of all shapes and cuts. A fancy body is a great way to save money while still getting a unique center stone.
The cutting style refers to the arrangement of the diamond’s facets. Because it increases a diamond’s brightness, the brilliant-cut is very popular. This cut style can be found in various shapes, including marquise, oval, square (princess-cut), and round. Round brilliant cuts, with 57 to 58 facets, are the most popular.
Another popular style is the step cut. The step cut has a long, elegant line that gives it a sophisticated, sleek gleam. The emerald cut is a popular step cut. It’s rectangular or square with concentric rows of parallel-faceted facets and beveled corners. On the other hand, a radiant-cut Diamond is square or rectangular and cut in a brilliant style.
Tip: Step cuts are less transparent in color and clarity, while brilliant cuts hide color and inclusions better. Consider changing the color or clarity of a step-cut if you’re considering buying one.
Look at diamonds under different lighting
Different lighting conditions can alter a diamond’s appearance. White spotlighting is a famous method jewelers use to bring out the brilliance and fire of diamonds and make them look stunning. However, most everyday situations don’t require such dramatic lighting. Check how your diamond performs in normal lighting conditions. This includes outdoors in light, shadow, or under diffused fluorescent light at work or warm diffused lighting in homes.
You will notice that fluorescent lighting enhances a diamond’s brilliance, while incandescent lights bring out its fire.
Choose a metal to play in the band
The most popular jewelry metals are yellow gold, rose gold, white gold, and platinum. Different characteristics are found in gold and platinum. They can alter the appearance of jewelry or set off gemstones in a ring differently.
Metal Types
Yellow gold is a timeless classic. It has been used in jewelry for thousands upon thousands of years. Its color, rarity, and luster (the appearance of a material’s surface under reflected light) make it enchanting. Because pure gold is very soft, it is often alloyed with other metallics—Karat, which refers to gold’s fineness and comprises 24 parts. To make an alloy, 75% pure gold (18K) is 18 parts gold and six pieces of another metal. The U.S.’s most sought-after fineness is 14K gold, made up of 10 parts gold and 14 other metals.
*Tip – Metals with higher amounts of gold will have richer colors, be heavier and softer (slightly less prone to scratches and dents) and be more expensive.
Rose gold has been a trendy choice over the years. It was popularly used in the Retro era (1935-the 1950s). It is made from a mixture of copper, silver, and gold, which gives it its warm, pinkish hue. Companies closely guard unique blends.
Moval Collection by Rahaminov Diamonds. Ring in 18K rose gold with 5.31 carats of total diamonds.
White gold combines pure gold with white metals like palladium or nickel. It’s a durable and beautiful choice for engagement rings. To give white gold a more refined look, it is often plated with Rhodium, a platinum-group metal. It can become brittle over time. Replating white gold jewelry is a standard procedure. The slightly yellowish-colored undertones of white gold may show through. This service is simple and inexpensive. Ask your local jeweler.
Platinum is a grayish-white metal that is very durable and resistant to corrosion. Platinum is soft in its purest form, so it is often alloyed with platinum group metals like iridium and ruthenium. Courtesy: Rahaminov
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission states that only jewelry containing at minimum 95% platinum (5% alloys) can be labeled “Platinum”; other platinum alloys must be marked according to the Federal Trade Commission Guidelines. Platinum is more expensive than gold but is more durable and hypoallergenic.
How does metal color affect gemstone color?
White gold and platinum make good choices for diamonds that are graded in the colorless or near-colorless ranges D through J on GIA’s color scale. They highlight the diamonds’ colorlessness.
The color of the metal will reflect throughout the diamond. A yellow prong can make a colorless diamond appear yellower. Rose gold and gold settings can benefit diamonds of lower color grades, colored diamonds, or colored stones. They can enhance the colors of the gemstones. A platinum or white gold setting may be used to accent the color of a yellow-colored diamond.
You love yellow gold and rose gold. If this is your preference, you can use platinum or white gold prongs or bezels to set your diamonds. Pair them with yellow or rose-gold bands. You can achieve the look you desire while the diamonds appear less colored.
This ring features a ring made of platinum that shows off the colorless diamonds. Rose gold bands are interwoven throughout the round for contrast. Courtesy: Sylvie Collection
Pick the setting
The setting is used to hold diamonds in place in jewelry. The environment serves two purposes: it keeps the diamond in place, and it protects it from harm. Different settings provide different levels of protection.
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