You’ve finally found The One and are ready to take the next step and make it official. But before you pop the question, you have to tackle finding the perfect ring. This undertaking can be a daunting task, especially when making sure you find a good diamond. Read on to learn the answers to the most commonly asked questions about picking the right diamond.
What are diamonds made of?
If you’ve ever wondered, “what are diamonds made of?” you’re not alone. Many people consider diamonds an enigma that originated billions of years ago just beneath the Earth’s crust.
Diamonds are just a form of carbon, like living things. That carbon is put under immense pressure and heat, and eventually, the atoms bond to form crystals. The difference between those crystals and every other carbon-based material is the immense heat and length of time.
What are the 4 Cs?
The 4 Cs are the four characteristics that anyone must pay attention to when choosing the perfect diamond. These characteristics are cut color, clarity, and carat.
Color and clarity refer to the material quality of the stone in its raw form. Color and clarity are important factors to consider when looking at price points and the sourcing of the diamond.
Carat refers to the weight of the diamond, with 1 carat equalling 200 milligrams. The cut refers to the look and shape of the diamond and is the only human contribution to a diamond.
Which C is the most important?
Of the 4 Cs, the cut is the one you want to pay the most attention to when you’re choosing a diamond. Even the most pristine color and clarity diamond won’t sparkle if it’s not cut well.
Poorly-cut diamonds can be either too deep or too shallow. If it’s too shallow, the light will escape through the bottom and not reflect through the top. If it’s cut too deep, light escapes through the sides. The right cut will also make your diamond appear larger than it is. These are just a couple of the reasons why cut matters so much.
How can I tell if a diamond is real?
Unless you are a professional gemologist, you will not be able to tell if a diamond is real without help. There are many high-quality fake gemstones, and consulting someone with both knowledge and tools is essential to make sure you’re getting what you are paying for.
Your best options are to consult an expert like a gemologist or purchase your diamond from a reputable seller with a certificate. If a jeweler will not certify the diamond, it is usually for a reason, and you are most likely being scammed.
What are the most popular shapes and styles?
The two most popular diamond shapes are brilliant round cut and princess cut. Other popular diamond shapes include the cushion cut, emerald cut, and oval cut. Round cuts are the most traditional and were the first popular cut used for engagement rings. They are timeless, never go out of style, and look more prominent than other cuts because of their depth percentage.
What is a Princess Cut?
Princess cuts rose in popularity in the 1960s and remain the second most popular shape. They are square rather than round but have the same number of facets (usually 60 to 70) as the brilliant round cut. While round-cut diamonds hide any irregularities in shape, princess cuts accentuate them. So the main thing to consider is whether you’d like your diamond to look more uniform or unique.
How are diamonds priced?
Diamonds are priced based on the 4 Cs. The higher the color and clarity, the more effort it takes to mine the diamond. You are paying for the labor and time with high color and clarity. These also reflect how rare the diamond is, adding to the price point. Of course, more carats mean bigger size, so more carats also equal a higher price point.
How can I tell if I’m paying a fair price?
A beautifully cut diamond was likely done by a professional working in the industry for longer and with more artistic skill. Therefore, a genuinely spectacular cut will cost more than the average price.
Remember that Cut is the most important of the 4 Cs when choosing a diamond. Diamonds that are rarer or have a higher color will not necessarily be more beautiful, so spending money on the cut rather than the rarity will benefit you.
What are conflict diamonds?
Diamonds are priced based on the 4 Cs. The higher the color and clarity, the more effort it takes to mine the diamond. You are paying for the labor and time with high color and clarity. These also reflect how rare the diamond is, adding to the price point. Of course, more carats mean bigger size, so more carats also equal a higher price point.
These diamonds come at a human cost, and you should do all you can to ensure that you are sourcing your diamonds ethically. Luckily, nowadays only a small portion of diamonds come from conflict zones because of public backlash.
How can I tell if my diamond is sourced ethically?
Most major diamonds sellers have committed to not purchasing blood diamonds. While this can sometimes be hard to prove, reputable diamond sellers will have individual relationships with suppliers and cutters to ensure that their diamonds are not coming from conflict zones. The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme encourages ethical diamond mining.
If you know your diamonds are coming from Botswana, Rwanda, Canada, or Australia, you can be relatively confident they are conflict-free.
Wrapping up
We’ve walked you through some of the most important things to consider when choosing the right diamond for your engagement. If you keep in mind things like the 4 Cs and whether your diamonds are being ethically sourced, you can be confident in your choice.
Now that you are equipped with all the information you need, it’s time to head to the jeweler and choose the ring for you!
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