If you are shopping for a diamond, there are certain things that you should
consider to make it easier for you. You can easily find out the worth of diamonds
and buy them without exceeding your budget now. All you have to do is follow a correct
approach to find sparkling diamonds conveniently.
Step 1 Set a Budget
Step 2 Choose a Shape
Step 3 The 4C's
Step 4 Other Characteristics
Many diamond shoppers go shopping before setting a budget and end up having an unsatisfied
shopping experience. If money is not a problem, then setting a budget may not be
that relevant but if it is, you should shop for diamonds smartly so that you get
preferred stone without exceeding the budget.
Diamonds are priced based on their carat weight and color grades too. Many shoppers
find it difficult to identify the difference between different color grades. If
you invest in the lowest color grade that looks appealing, cheap prices on every
carat will allow you to buy a bigger diamond in the same budget. Highest color grade
include E, D and F that are categorized as colorless. The following color grades
are G, H, J and I; are nearly colorless and can be bought at cheaper prices.
Smaller diamonds are cheaper to purchase as compared to single diamonds even with
same carat weight. Buying three diamonds of around 0.50 will cost fraction of what
you will have to pay for one diamond weighing 1.50 carats.
Every diamond has inclusions but the importance lies in checking them through your
naked eyes. If the diamonds that are you are investing look clean to eyes, there
is no point-paying extra for high clarity grades as they only add to the expense.
Shape of your diamond can affect millimeter size of it. Buy the shape that you love
but can also consider buying marquise, ovals, and pear that look bigger than the
others shapes with the same carat weight.
Diamonds that are of same carat weight and shape can also differ. Cut influences
the millimeter size too. Comparatively shallow diamonds are bigger in width and
length. Go for such cuts that suit your budget. Type of settings for these diamonds
also creates an impact on perceived size and their price. White gold settings for
these diamonds can cost around one third of the platinum ones. Diamonds that have
a pave around or the ones with bezel settings appear bigger.
While buying diamonds, choosing the right shape is crucial for determining its overall
appearance in jewelry. Diamonds are available in a lot of variations and cuts in
the market. Its shape is not just outward appearance but it also refers to how the
stone is fashioned, how many facets it has. Knowledge about all the shapes can help
you buy the right shape for yourself.
Round brilliant diamonds are one of the most popular ones and account for more than
75% of the diamonds that are purchased these days. Cost of these diamonds is high
and is apt for engagement rings but they are found in pendants and earrings too.
The brilliance and fire of these diamonds add to their popularity. Oval diamonds
offer symmetrical designs yielding large surface areas and make it look bigger.
These diamonds are preferred by the women who have short fingers and small hands
as they give elongated look.
Princess cut diamonds are smallest of the diamonds and have inverted pyramid shape.
In this shape, weight of carat is in the bottom side. It is one of the hot favorites
as solitaires. Their shape is new as compared to all others. Marquise diamonds look
larger than they are; this shape is elongated with the points on every end and is
sometimes changed to French tip where the points are almost excised. It is also
one of the great options for solitaire.
You can look for Emerald cut diamonds that appear rectangular with the corner cuts.
This type of diamonds is also known as step cut due its shape that resembles a staircase.
Open and large facets of this diamonds give it an imperative look with higher color
and greater clarity. You can also buy pear shaped diamonds that look like a teardrop.
Most of these diamonds are found in earrings and pendants. Brilliant cut heart shape
diamonds are a perfect romantic choice but the shape can vary based on jewelry store
you are buying it. This shape is greatly influenced by the configurations and whimsy
of gem cutters.
Trillion cut diamonds are that with a triangular shape with equal sides. Use this
shape for making a beautiful pair of earnings. Baguette cut diamonds another type
of step cut diamonds that are frequently employed as the side stones. Because of
limited number of facets, color and quality come to play, as imperfections are greatly
visible in this simple shape. Radiant diamonds resembles the shape of emerald but
has around 70 facets, making it more dazzling and brilliant that emerald shape.
Asscher cut diamonds are rectangular with the high crown step facets and are known
for the ability to throw light. Cushion cut diamonds are other forms of diamonds
that are referred to as pillow diamonds. This shape is elegant with a touch of old
world. Trapezoid, Kite, and Half-Moon shaped diamonds are as that popular and are
used as corner stones.
While buying diamond, one should always check the 4Cs that so that he/she makes the best choice. 4Cs used for valuation of diamonds and refer to Color, Clarity,
Cut, and Carat.
Cut plays an important role in deciding a diamond's brilliance. Brilliant round
diamonds have around 58 facets, 33 of them are on top of the diamond body. There
are 24 crown or star facets at bottom, which are known as pavilion facets. Many
times the line connecting pavilion and crown is faceted too but are not a part of
round brilliance cut.
All the facets of a diamond should be in the geometrical relations with each other.
You can be sure about the quality of diamond if you do not find any bow tie and
fish eye in it. Due to fish eye, diamond looks larger and spread out but with lower
brilliance. With bow ties, there is a black region formed on the diamond, making
it undesirable.
Color is also an important determinant for finding the diamond's worth. Colorless
diamonds are of the highest value where traces of color depreciate its value. Most
of the diamonds seem colorless to naked eye but majority of these diamonds have
tint of brown and yellow when they are under illumination and Tripod. Nature diamonds
are found in blue, red, deep yellow and green shades. These are also known as fancy
colorful diamonds basing on alphabetical scale start from colorless D to yellow
M.
Clarity of the diamonds is dependent on a number of factors including location,
number, type, and size of inclusions. Inclusion is imperfection or the mineral traces
in stone, visible only under magnification of the loupe of jeweler. Fewer inclusions
in a diamond, better brilliance, and clarity it has. Fewer inclusions also mean
higher prices.
Carat is another determinant for finding out diamond's value. Weight of the diamonds
is measured in carats. Every carat is further divided in the 100 points. A carat
weight is not of any use without considering clarity, color, and cut of the diamonds.
Large diamonds are not that worthy if they lack purity, better grade color, and
brilliance. Since larger diamonds are rare to find as compared to the smaller ones,
value of the diamond increases exponentially with the carat weight.
You will not find similarity between any two diamonds. You must find out their value
on basis of 4Cs i.e. Cut, Clarity, Color, and Carat while doing diamond shopping.
Fluorescence is another characteristic of the diamond that should be considered
before buying. It refers to the blue light, which is emitted by some of the diamonds
under black UV lights. Some of the diamonds emit blue glow while some of them emit
moderate glow and some don't glow at all. Fluorescence is a complicated characteristic
as it can either decrease or increase the worth of diamond. For the colorless diamonds
from the scale of D, E, Fluorescence is not that beneficial but for the stones that
have yellowish tinge as J, strong or medium Fluorescence help in making it appear
white. Consider all the above stated factors and have a happy diamond shopping experience.