Did you get the ring yet? Gentlemen, I will not kid you: purchasing an engagement ring is a daunting task, never mind the emotion that comes from the actual proposal. Finding the right ring for your bride to be can be overwhelming. But armed with a little knowledge and the right resources, you’ll be an expert in no time!
Let’s talk about diamonds – a girl’s best friend. You’ll want to consider the 4 Cs:
- CARAT: Carat is the measurement of a diamond’s weight. One carat is approximately 100 points (so a diamond under 1 carat will be denoted by points) and is 200 mg. Carat is about weight, not size. Its a misconception that a certain carat weight should equal a certain diamond size. The size differences occur due to the cut of the stone.
- CUT: There are two parts to the cut of a diamond: the shape, and the proportions and polish of the stone. Ask your jeweler about depth percentage and table percentage (the two primary proportions to consider) as you review each diamond. Below is a chart of common diamond shapes. Shape is really a personal preference (however, round brilliant stones tend to reflect the most light, thus the most brilliance (or sparkle.)
(from DeBeers.com)
- CLARITY: Clarity indicates the quality of the stone and how clear it is. Because diamonds are nature made, there will be some defects (known as inclusions or flaws.) The fewer flaws, the better the clarity. Take a look at the diamond under a 10x magnification and you’ll be able to map the unique traits of the diamond.
- COLOR: Actually, this refers to lack of color: the less color a stone contains, the more valuable it is. Lack of color allows it to reflect and refract light. Hints of yellow is the most common shade found in diamonds, though brown or gray can shade as well.
Detailed information about diamond rating scales for cut, color, and clarity is available online at DeBeers Jeweler. My husband swears by this book, How To Buy A Diamond: Insider Secrets For Getting Your Money’s Worth by Fred Cuellar. He read it thoroughly and took it with him to every jewelry store he visited. The jewelers who recognized his efforts to be informed and helped him with his diamond education stood out from those just interested in the sale. Each elements mentioned above is explained in depth in the book.
“Happy Hunting!”
Looks like my man did pretty good!
A lot of responsibility for a ring which will be worn for a long time. Good article and great suggestions. If you’re on a budget and in the Tampa FL area check-out http://www.lowcostrings.com/
Thank you.