Put a Ring on It

We consistently discuss the many decisions that need to be made for your wedding. But, there are important choices that need to be made long before the planning process begins. Your engagement ring is a selection that will stay with you eternally. You might forget that you chose peonies for your centerpieces, but you will never forget that you chose a cushion cut for your finger. It will be time well spent if you educate yourself about the diamond buying process before you make a purchase.

Choose the Right Jeweler

Picking a diamond is an extremely important choice and no matter how in-depth you research on your own, nothing compares to the advice of a professional. Make sure that your jeweler is highly trained and knowledgeable. A concrete way to determine this is to ask him or her whether he or she has gone through any form of education. There is an internationally accredited program called the GIA Graduate Gemologist or Accredited Jewelry Professional diploma programs. If the jeweler has gone through either of these programs, it is a safe bet that you are in good hands.

The 4 C’s

If you have not heard them by now, you will be an expert on them by the time your finger is garnished. The 4 C’s stand for: color, clarity, cut, and carat. If you want a traditional diamond, then color is going to be key. This is a bit counterintuitive, however, because it will actually be the absence of color that will be most desirable. If a diamond has so much as a hue of a distinct color, it will greatly affect the quality.

The clarity of the diamond is determined by the amount of “blemishes” it has. Also referred to as “inclusions”, these flaws grade the diamond on a scale from Flawless to Included. If the diamond is classified as included, it can be expected to have many imperfections.

The cut of the diamond is actually not a reference to the diamond’s shape, but the proportion of it. How the diamonds sparkles is related in large part to the cut. There are categories within this “sparkle” factor as well. Brightness, fire, and scintillation are terms you will hear in relation to the cut of diamonds. Brightness refers to the internal and external white light that is reflected on the diamond. Fire is the scattering of white light that creates the rainbow effect. Scintillation is the pattern of both light and dark areas that cause reflection. You should consider each one of these categories when selecting the cut of your diamond.

The final C is one you would have to be living under a rock not to know (pun intended): carat. However, what you might not know is that the carat of the diamond does not refer to its size insomuch as it refers to the weight. What makes each diamond unique is that even two diamonds with the same carat weight can be drastically different in quality due to the consideration of the other three C’s.

Choosing a diamond is an investment. Make sure you do your homework on what you are looking for and who you are working with before taking the plunge!

 

Photo Credit: gia.edu