When you want to find an engagement ring that encompasses everything you have imagined for your love story, it’s important to take the diamond into consideration. Finding the right engagement ring includes finding the right diamond for the dazzling center stone.
Diamonds come in all different shapes, sizes, and colors, so there are countless options for buyers to choose from—which can be both exciting and a bit overwhelming. It’s important to remember, however, that simply selecting the first diamond you lay your eyes on does not bode well. Take the time to search for the best one.
What should you be looking for? There are a few different things to consider when shopping for diamonds. This guide will help you decide which diamond will be the crowning glory on your dream engagement ring.
Set Your Budget
It’s no secret that high-quality diamonds come at a significant price. Yet you don’t need to break the bank in order to purchase a stunning diamond to complement your ring. The goal is not to look for the most expensive diamond in the world, but rather to choose the highest quality within your budget for the best value.
Buyers should have their budget range determined before starting the engagement ring shopping process. It is important to focus your time and energy on the beautiful options that are within your price point.
While a larger budget range may give you more options than not, it’s anxiety-inducing to push the purchase amount beyond your personal comfort zone. While financing is always available to make choices less intimidating, keep in mind those monthly payments must be manageable. Once you’ve figured out how much you want to spend, picking a diamond becomes like a fun treasure hunt.
Consider Personal Style
Buying the right diamond means selecting the highest quality stone in a shape and style that reflects your bride-to-be’s personality. If she’s going to be wearing this for the rest of her lifetime, it should be a ring that accents her personality perfectly.
Think carefully—has your significant other ever mentioned what diamond shapes she likes best? If not, you may want to ask her friends or family members. She may even have a Pinterest board where she saves photos of her favorite rings. Doing this type of investigation will ensure you’re choosing the right diamond for her.
Now, you’re ready to learn how to assess a diamond’s value and find the highest quality diamond for your special someone.
The 4 C’s of Diamonds
A basic understanding of the four C’s—cut, color, clarity, and carat—is the key to finding the perfect diamond. Why? You can learn a lot about the quality of a diamond by analyzing each of these four characteristics.
The cut of a diamond refers to its shape, proportions, symmetry, and facet placement. The color is essentially the absence of color within the diamond, whereas the clarity describes the presence of internal and external flaws. Lastly, the carat is a unit of measurement that describes the weight of a diamond.
Each of these factors can affect the quality and value of a diamond immensely. You don’t need to look for a diamond that has a flawless color, cut, clarity and carat weight. Instead, it’s best to learn which of these factors you should prioritize so you can get the highest quality diamond within your budget.
Which one is most important? The answer to this question simply varies depending on the shape of the diamond. If you begin understanding what each of the four C’s contribute to the beauty of a diamond, you’ll be able to secure the perfect one within your budget.
What to Avoid
First and foremost, utilizing even a basic understanding of the four C’s is what will help you determine the authenticity of a diamond as well. To be sure, there are clear and measurable differences between top-rated and bottom-rated diamonds. In closer cases, however, some differences are only visible when viewed under a microscope.
Therefore, it’s important to always consult with a professional. Make sure they have the experience and qualifications necessary to help you understand exactly what you are buying. Shopping at a local jewelry store will give you a more personalized experience. Often, many local jewelers have been in the industry for decades!
While some people are choosing to buy rings online, it can be hard to judge a diamond’s value and quality through a photo. It’s highly recommended to view the ring in person before making your final purchase. Again, you always want to be sure the diamond ring you’re choosing is exactly what you’re looking for before spending a pretty penny for it.
Find the Best with Rumanoff’s
Altogether, finding an engagement ring can be a painless process if you’re shopping at a jewelry store that takes the time to walk you through your options and helps you come up with the best choices that fit your budget. You can expect this quality service at Rumanoff’s Fine Jewelry in Hamden, Connecticut. If you’re interested in learning more about diamonds and what to look out for, contact us to set up a diamond consultation with one of our expert associates.
