Choosing A Diamond Ring: The Ultimate Guide

Are you in the market for the perfect diamond ring? You will first have to learn about the 4Cs of diamond, the setting styles, metal characteristics, and many more. In this post, we will guide you through choosing the perfect diamond ring and all the factors you must consider to make a smart purchase.

Learn About The 4Cs

Before purchasing any diamond, know about the 4Cs: Clarity, Color, Carat, and Cut. The 4Cs are a global standard for assessing the quality of diamonds created by GIA. These standards allow you to compare one diamond to another. Let’s take a deep dive:

Cut: The diamond cut describes how well the diamond interacts with the lights. It describes a diamond’s proportions, symmetry, and polish, which all determine its brightness, fire, and scintillation.
Color: Diamond color is graded on a scale of D-to-Z. D means that the diamond is colorless, and Z means that the diamond has a brown or light yellow color. Diamonds with less color are rare and highly sought after; hence costly.
Carat Weight: This determines the diamond’s apparent size. The greater the carat weight, the rarer and more expensive the diamond is.
Clarity: Diamond clarity refers to the absence of internal features (inclusions) and surface irregularities (blemishes). It is graded on a scale of Flawless to Included.

Once you learn about the 4Cs, you will learn to eliminate diamonds that do not match your preferences.

Know About Diamond Cut Styles and Shapes

Before you purchase any diamond, you also need to learn about the difference between the cutting style and the shape of the diamond. The shape describes the diamond’s outline when you view it face up. The round shape is the most popular, but other shapes are known as fancy, including pear, marquise, square, rectangle, and heart.

Diamond cutting style refers to how diamond facets are arranged. The brilliant cut is the most popular style because it maximizes the diamond’s brightness. The most popular cut and shape is the round brilliant cut with 57 or 58 facets.

View The Diamond Under Different Light

A diamond looks very different in fluorescent, daylight, and spotlighting. Many jewelers will use spot lighting known to bring out the diamond’s fire and brilliance, making it look more dazzling. However, most day-to-day activities do not have dramatic lighting.

Ensure you know how the diamond will perform under average lighting conditions, such as under fluorescent lighting, outdoor or diffused light. Incandescent lighting brings out the diamond’s fire, while fluorescent lighting brings out its brightness.

Choose The Metal Of The Band

Popular bands of diamond rings include rose gold, yellow gold, white gold, and platinum. Platinum and gold have distinct characteristics, and their colors change the appearance of the diamond differently.

Yellow gold is a classic metal used for thousands of years. It enhances the rarity, color, and luster of the diamond. Rose gold has increased in popularity over the years. White gold is an alloy of pure gold and metals like palladium or nickel, making it durable and relatively inexpensive.

The Side Stones

Side stones are the perfect way to dress up the diamond ring and make it look better. Popular choices include three-stone rings, halos, or adding colored birthstones or gemstones.

Choose A Reputable Jeweler

A diamond ring is a significant investment; you want to buy it from a trustworthy, reputable jeweler. They should have expert training, be open to questions, and explain how to choose a quality diamond. Choose a jeweler with credentials from an internationally accredited program such as GIA or APJ (Applied Jewelry Professional).

Isadora Jewelers are GIA accredited, meaning they will explain the 4Cs of diamonds and demonstrate various features to ensure you make a smart purchase.