There's nothing more beautiful and stunning than the natural beauty of a diamond. This rare and precious gem has been highly valued and desired for a long time. Its clear sparkle, incredible depth, and brilliance set it apart from any other gem on Earth.
Since the 15th century, diamonds have been cherished as symbols of enduring love and affection. Their timeless charm continues to make them popular jewelry choices even today. Whether it's for a significant occasion like an anniversary or a birthday or just to pamper yourself, diamond jewelry is an incredibly meaningful and beautiful gift.
However, the process of buying a diamond jewelry piece can feel overwhelming. With so many options and factors to consider, it’s easy to get confused. But don't worry—by following some key tips, you can do diamond shopping with confidence.
These tips will help you think like a professional jeweler, making it easier to decide which diamond jewelry to purchase and will ensure you make a choice you’ll be happy with for years to come.
Look for the 4 C's When Buying a Diamond
When looking at diamonds, experts focus on four main things: how they're cut, their color, clarity, and carat. Just like everyone has unique fingerprints, diamonds also have special qualities that make each one different.
The more you know about these qualities, the better choice you can make when picking diamond jewelry.
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Cut
A diamond’s cut refers to how it's shaped to make it sparkle. A well-cut diamond has many tiny angles that bounce light around, making it bright and colorful. A bad cut makes it look dull.
The cut is judged on three factors: its shape, symmetry, and polish. Each of these gets a grade like Excellent, Very Good, Good, or Fair, which shows how well the diamond reflects light.\
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Color
Most diamonds aren't completely colorless; they usually have hints of yellow or brown. After it's mined, lab gemologists grade a diamond's color from D (no color) to Z (light yellow). The closer to D, the more valuable and expensive the diamond is. We suggest picking diamonds between D and I for the best balance of value and quality.
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Clarity
When diamonds form deep beneath the earth's surface, they often develop internal flaws called inclusions and external marks known as blemishes. Clarity assesses the number, type, and location of these imperfections within the diamond.
A scale, starting from Loupe Clean (LC) and extending to Piqué 3 (P3), is used to grade diamond clarity. It indicates how clear or free from flaws the diamond appears.
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Carat
Gemologists use metric carats to measure a diamond's weight. One carat equals 200 milligrams or 0.2 grams. Each carat can also be divided into 100 points, with each point being one-hundredth of a carat. This system allows for very accurate measurements down to the hundredth decimal place.
When shopping for any diamond jewel, you'll mostly see weights listed in carats or fractions of a carat, but occasionally, you might find a very small diamond measured in points.
2. Diamond Certification
Some institutions grade diamonds, including the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the International Gemological Institute (IGI), HRD Antwerp, and the Gem Certification & Assurance Lab (GCAL).
Certifications are important because they describe how good your diamond is and if it's real. Most diamonds get a unique laser inscription that matches their certification number during certification. This means you can always check that your diamond matches its certification under magnification.
3. Diamond Shape
Diamond shape refers to the overall appearance of the diamond in any jewelry. It's distinct from the diamond's cut, which involves the angles and facets inside the gem that affect how it reflects light.
The most popular and classic shape is round, known for its brilliant sparkle. Other shapes, such as emerald, marquise, pear, and oval, are considered "fancy" and offer a unique and elegant look.
Each shape has its own characteristics and appeal, allowing you to choose one that matches your style and preferences.
- Round Brilliant: The most popular shape, known for maximizing brilliance.
- Princess: Square or rectangular with pointed corners, combining brilliance and modern appeal.
- Emerald: Rectangular with step cuts, emphasizing clarity over brilliance.
- Oval: An elongated shape that appears larger than its carat weight.
- Marquise: An elongated shape with pointed ends, creating a larger look.
- Pear: A combination of round and marquise, resembling a teardrop.
- Cushion: Square or rectangular with rounded corners and larger facets.
- Asscher: Similar to emerald but square-shaped with a vintage feel.
- Radiant: Combines the brilliance of a round and the shape of an emerald.
- Heart: A romantic shape representing love.
4. Diamond Fluorescence
When you're looking at diamond jewelry, it's worth knowing about diamond fluorescence. This refers to how the diamond reacts when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light, which is present in daylight. Gemologists grade this reaction based on its intensity.
Some diamonds may glow blue or yellow under UV light due to fluorescence, but this typically doesn't alter how the diamond looks in regular lighting. Importantly, this fluorescence doesn't impact the diamond's strength or durability.
5. Diamond Hardness
Diamonds are the toughest minerals naturally occurring on Earth. This is measured on the Mohs scale, which rates minerals' hardness from 1 to 10. A diamond gets a perfect 10 on this scale, making it the hardest substance known.
This hardness means diamonds are highly resistant to scratches, and only another diamond can scratch them. Because of this durability, diamonds are perfect for everyday wear, making them ideal for jewelry like engagement rings that are worn on a regular basis and need to withstand daily activities without getting damaged.
6. Setting and Metal Choices
The way your diamond jewelry is set and the metal used can really affect its appearance and longevity.
Settings
- Prong: Metal claws hold the diamond, letting lots of light in for extra sparkle.
- Bezel: A metal ring surrounds the diamond, giving it protection and a modern style.
- Pavé: Small diamonds are set close together, making the whole piece shine.
- Channel: Diamonds sit in a groove, making a smooth and secure setting.
- Tension: The diamond looks like it's floating, held in place by the metal band's tension.
Metals
- Platinum: Strong and doesn't cause allergies, with a bright white shine that makes the diamond sparkle more.
- White Gold: Looks like platinum but costs less. It might need a new coating sometimes.
- Yellow Gold: Classic and warm, making the diamond stand out.
- Rose Gold: Romantic and trendy, with a pinkish color that looks good on almost all skin types.
7. Considering the Ring Size
When picking out an engagement ring, it's common to focus mainly on the diamond in the center. While the diamond is important, the overall style of the ring matters, too. Your ring's design should match your personality and taste, which can affect how much you love it.
The style of the ring can also impact how the diamond looks. Everything from how the diamond is set to the color of the metal (like white, yellow, or rose) will make a difference.
So, think about what kind of setting you like: simple, detailed, or somewhere in between. Some people like rings with lots of small diamonds on the band. Others prefer a classic halo setting.
If you're into minimalist or traditional looks, a solitaire setting might be more your style. And for those who love extra sparkle, a design with even more diamonds might be perfect.
8. Always Purchase Your Diamond Jewelry from a Reputable Buyer
When you are buying diamond jewelry, selecting a reputable and reliable seller is extremely important. A trustworthy seller not only ensures that you're getting high-quality diamonds but also gives you confidence in the ethical sourcing and accurate grading of those diamonds.
It's essential to look for jewelers with strong reputations backed by positive customer reviews and certifications from reputable gemological organizations. This ensures that the diamonds you purchase are authentic, fairly priced, and accurately described in terms of quality.
Knowing that you're dealing with a reputable seller like Davizi Jewels can make your diamond-buying experience more enjoyable and trustworthy.
Make Your Diamond Jewelry Buying Decisions Easy with Davizi Jewels
Buying diamond jewelry is a big decision that needs thought and understanding. Davizi Jewels can guide you through this process and ensure you make a smart choice.
Our expertise and ethical practices make us a trusted choice for your diamond jewelry needs. Take your time to research and compare, and when you're ready, shop with us for a satisfying diamond purchase.
Ready to dive into the world of diamond jewelry? Contact us today and enjoy a confident and elegant shopping experience.