First, determine your budget. One general rule of thumb when buying a diamond engagement ring is “three months salary.” This is just a guideline, it’s not carved in stone and your first consideration should be what you can comfortably afford – not what the diamond industry or a jeweler tells you (they are not unbiased in this matter and do not know your finances).
Deciding on carat is really about striking a balance between size and quality. If she prefers larger jewelry items, and you are working within a budget, you can still find a larger diamond of excellent quality by selecting one which is graded slightly lower in terms of color and clarity.
Remember that slender fingers make small diamonds look bigger. If she has small fingers, a 1-carat diamond will look proportionately large – and an even larger stone may appear stunningly big! Think about what sort of setting will hold the diamond. You’ll have to be sure that the setting you choose is made to fit the carat weight of your diamond.
Learn about the 4 C’s of Diamonds before you begin shopping.
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The 4 C’s of Diamonds
Men and women for centuries have been mesmerized by the brilliance and sparkle of a quality diamond. Since no two diamonds are alike – how can you pick the right one? When you start to think about buying a diamond and the love it symbolizes, you want the best you can afford. Diamonds can be found in a wide range of prices, its up to you to choose a diamond that truly represents your deepest emotions and the promise it represents.
We at QuinnsJewelers.com want to help you surprise her with a diamond beyond all her expectations, therefore we want to share some of our knowledge of the 4C’s with you.
Refers to the angles and proportions of a diamond.
At first many people think of “cut” as the shape of a diamond. However, the cut of a diamond refers to the exact proportions, quality of polish, and the arrangement of a diamond's facets. While nature determines a diamond's clarity, carat weight and color, the hand of a master craftsman is necessary to release its fire, sparkle and beauty.
Diamonds have a unique ability to manipulate light efficiently. This unique ability can be released and maximized only by cutting and polishing the diamond to an extremely high level of accuracy. This also requires that the cutters be willing to put forth a great deal of time and effort, while adhering to some very strict geometric standards, and, most importantly, be willing to sacrifice carat weight for superior craftsmanship. So, the question and dilemma is this: Weight or beauty? The cutter has to make the critical decision.
A diamond has facets that allow light to enter it, become refracted, and exit in a rainbow of colors. As illustrated below, when a diamond is cut to ideal proportions, is carefully polished, and has exact symmetry, light will then reflect from one facet to another and disperse through the top of the stone, resulting in a display of brilliance and fire. The cut can affect the value of a diamond by up to 60%!
Ideal Cut: A well cut or faceted diamond, regardless of its shape, scintillates with fire and light -- offering you the greatest brilliance and value.
Too Deep: Light is lost out the bottom of the diamond, making the diamond appear dark.
Too Shallow: Light is lost out the side of the diamond, making the diamond appear washed out.
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For the most beautiful diamond, we suggest you look for a symmetry grade of excellent (EX), very good (VG), or good (G) for a GIA graded diamond, and ideal (ID), excellent (EX), very good (VG), or good (G) for an AGS graded diamond. Avoid diamonds with symmetry grades of fair (F) or poor (P), as the arrangement of their facets may misdirect light so severely that it affects the brilliance of the diamond.
For the best value in a brilliant diamond, choose a diamond with a cut of grade of very good or higher, and polish and symmetry grades of very good or higher.
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Refers to the degree to which a diamond is colorless.
There are approximately 220 shades of white when looking at diamonds. Diamonds are graded on a color scale established by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), which ranges from D (Colorless) to Z. The farther from colorless that a diamond's grade is, the less rare and therefore less valuable it is. While many diamonds appear colorless, they may actually have subtle yellow or brown tones.
Icy winter whites (D-I) look stunning in white gold or platinum. Warmer colored diamonds (J-Z) are more desirable when set in yellow gold. Color differences can be very subtle and grading is done under controlled lighting and compared against a ‘master’ for accuracy. This color chart is representative of the color grades of a diamond.
Diamonds are also sought after by collectors in their extremely rare "fancy colors" including (from highest value), Reds (Pinks), Blues, Greens, and Fancy Intense Yellow.
Fluorescence is the phenomenon in which absorption of light of a given wavelength by a fluorescent molecule is followed by the emission of light at longer wavelengths. Many diamonds may glow when exposed to light that contains high amounts of ultraviolet light (such as fluorescent or black lights). The glow, or fluorescence is from the interaction between the light’s energy and atoms in the diamond. About 50% of all diamonds fluoresce and of those about 10% fluoresce strongly.
The most common fluorescent color in diamonds is blue, other colors include greenish blue, green, yellow, and pink. The impact of blue fluorescence on price depends on how strong the fluorescence is and the diamond’s normal color. For some higher color diamonds (D – F color), fluorescence gives the diamond a milky white appearance, which greatly lowers value. In some instances, the fluorescence is hardly noticeable and has minimal impact on the diamond's brilliance and value. Fluorescence often adds value to lower color stones (J - K color) as it gives the diamonds a whiter, brighter appearance. Some buyers regularly pay better prices for highly fluorescent "I" color and lower diamonds. Generally, higher the quality and price per carat the more strong fluorescence lowers value. Some jewelers believe that fluorescence is always an undesirable characteristic. GIA's research indicates that fluorescence is not necessarily negative, and in some cases, fluorescence actually has a positive effect by making a diamond appear whiter. The presence of fluorescence can reduce the value of a diamond by 30%.
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QuinnsJewelers.com sells only diamonds with a color grade greater than J. These diamonds usually appear colorless or near colorless to the unaided eye. For an excellent value in a diamond with no noticeable color to the unaided eye, look for a near-colorless grade of a minimum of at least G-I, and a fluorescence grade of faint, inert, none, or negligible.
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Refers to the presence of inclusions in a diamond.
Every diamond is unique. Nature ensures that each diamond is as individual as the person who wears it. Naturally-occurring features—known as inclusions—provide a special fingerprint within the diamond. Inclusions are natural identifying characteristics such as minerals or fractures, appearing while diamonds are formed in the earth.
The greater a diamond’s clarity, the more brilliant and rare it is. Most all natural diamonds contain characteristics that allows them to be identified, some of which are visible to the naked eye. Under a 10X jewelers loop or microscope the inclusions may be seen. These are nature’s birthmarks; they may look like a tiny crystal, cloud, or feather. The greater a diamond's clarity, the more brilliant, valuable and rare it is. Flawless diamonds are the highest quality, the most treasured.
Inclusions are ranked on a scale of perfection, known as clarity, which was established by GIA. The clarity scale, ranges from F (Flawless) to included (I), and is based on the visibility of inclusions at a magnification of 10X.
FL, IF Diamonds:
Diamonds categorized as internally flawless reveal no such inclusions. Flawless diamonds have no inclusions; these diamonds are very rare and are treasured for their rarity and beauty.
VVS1, VVS2 Diamonds:
Very, very slightly included, difficult to see even under 10X magnification.
VS1, VS2 Diamonds:
Very slightly included, and typically can not be seen by the naked eye.
Si1, Si2 Diamonds:
Slightly included, these inclusions are visible under 10X magnification and may also be visible by the naked eye.
I1, I2 Diamonds:
Included, inclusions can easily be seen without the aid of a 10X magnification. We do not carry diamonds of this clarity.
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We recommend you select a diamond that has no inclusions visible to the unaided eye (eye-clean). These diamonds are of excellent value. Diamonds of this clarity are much less expensive (about two-thirds the value) than IF- or FL-grade diamonds and typically do not contain visible inclusions that detract from the beauty of the diamond. If you are budget conscious and unwilling to compromise on clarity, choose a diamond with a good cut and G or H color.
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Refers to the weight of a diamond.
The fourth and final C is carat weight, the standard usually used to measure diamonds. Weight may be the easiest of the four C's to gauge accurately. All that is required is a delicately balanced scale capable of weighting extremely small weights. Yet despite the ease of measurement and the relative unimportance of diamond weight, there are some facts you should understand about weight and price. In the final analysis, weight may be the least important of the four C's in determining value.
A carat equals 1/5 of a gram (or 1/142 of an ounce), each carat is further divided into points, each point representing 1/100th of a carat. A .75 carat diamond is the same as a 75-point diamond or a 3/4 carat stone. As diamonds increase in size, their cost tends to increase exponentially. Thus, a one carat diamond can cost four or five times as much as a one-half carat stone of equal quality.
While larger diamonds are highly prized, diamonds of equal size may vary widely in value and brilliance, depending on their qualities of clarity, cut and color.
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To choose the best carat weight of diamond, take into consideration her style, the size of her finger, the size and style of your setting, as well as your budget. But the best way to determine what size is best is by getting an idea of what she is expecting. If you have budget, explore all your options and you'll find that there is a wide range of diamond carat weights and qualities available in your price range. If you have already chosen a setting, make sure you choose a diamond to fit. Look for the diamond size specifications of your ring or call a QuinnsJewelers.com diamond consultant to discuss what size diamond you should look for.
We hope you have enjoyed the basics of our 4 C’s diamond education. If you have any questions or need assistance in finding the perfect diamond, please contact us at 1-877-461-5284 or e-mail us at sales@quinnsjewelers.com.
Begin shopping for the perfect diamond.
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A Diamond Certificate is a "blueprint" of a diamond; it tells you the diamond's exact measurements and weight, as well as the details of its cut and quality. It precisely points out all the individual characteristics of the stone. Certificates also serve as proof of the diamond's identity and value, and are not the same thing as an appraisal. An appraisal places a monetary value on your diamond, but does not certify the quality of the diamond. You should always insist on certified diamonds that have been graded by an independent and unbiased grading lab. This kind of certification is the only way to confirm that you are getting what you paid for with the size, color, clarity, dimensions, and properties of the loose diamonds.
QuinnsJewelers.com’s Diamonds Are Certified
Every loose diamond sold by QuinnsJewelers.com has been analyzed and graded by either the
Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or the
American Gem Society Laboratories (AGS). Both have received international recognition for their high standards and ethics and are respected worldwide as premier research, education, and gemological grading institutes. GIA is the standard bearer in the industry known and acclaimed world-wide for their in-depth diamond and jewelry research and consumer education. Shopping for diamonds with grading reports allows you to make an informed choice about your selections, and to comparison shop. You can compare one diamond with a particular weight and quality with other diamonds of similar weight and quality to determine which the better value is.
If a jewelry store offers to sell you a loose diamond without a grading report, keep in mind that it means you are buying the diamond based only on the salesperson's claim about its quality, and that a trained gemologist or even other jewelers may disagree with the salesperson's assessment.
If you are unable to view a certificate for one of our diamonds, please contact one of our expert Diamond & Jewelry Consultants for assistance at sales@quinnsjewelers.com or 1-877-461-5284.
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Over time diamonds will develop a film build up of oils from lotions, powders, soaps, and natural skin oils which take away from their brilliance and sparkle. Diamonds should be cleaned so that the maximum amount of light can then enter and return in a fiery brilliance. A little time and effort on your part will keep your jewelry looking new like the day you first wore it.
For Home Cleaning we recommend you:
- mix 1 part ammonia (or Mr. Clean) with 4 parts warm water
- add a small amount of mild dishwashing liquid
- allow to soak for at least 10 minutes
- scrub gently with a soft toothbrush (used for jewelry cleaning only)
- dip the jewelry repeatedly in the solution
- rinse with warm to hot top water and pat dry with a lint-free cloth
Even though you wear your diamond engagement ring 24 hours a day, you should still be concerned about its care from time to time. To avoid chipping or breakage, avoid wearing jewelry while taking part in sports or during strenuous activities. Even though a diamond is the hardest substance on Earth, if it is hit at the perfect cleavage angle with enough force, it is possible to chip or crack your diamond.
Remove jewelry before entering a swimming pool or hot tub. Also, don't let your jewelry come in contact with chlorine bleach when you are doing household chores. Chlorine Bleach will dissolve the gold in a ring. The cumulative effect of repeated exposure to even small amounts of harsh chemicals such as chlorine and bleach could cause gold to become brittle, causing breaks and loosening of prongs.
Periodically see your jeweler every 6 months or so and have them check your ring and other precious pieces to ensure all the prongs and settings are tight and secure. The proper care of your diamond will assure you of a lifetime of enjoyment and happiness.
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- The Diamond is the Hardest Substance known to Man
- On a scale of 1 to 43 (43 being the hardest) the diamond is a 43
- The next hardest substance is a 9 (corundum).
- Tungsten Steel is an 8.5
- The age of a Diamond is about 3.5 Billion Years
- Dinosaurs went extinct 65 million years ago
- To find a 1 carat Diamond you would have to sift through 250 tons of Kimberlite
- 1 in 5 million Diamonds is a 1 carat Diamond
- Of the 5 million Diamonds, 4 million will be used in Industry
- Of the remaining 1 million Gem Quality Diamonds, only 1 will be a carat or larger.
- Only 1 in 1000 Gem Quality Diamonds will be a 1ct. D color Diamond
- 1 in 5 Billion Diamonds mined is a D color and over a 1 carat
- 1 in 1 Billion Gem Quality Diamonds mined is a D color and over a Carat.
- Diamond Prices have doubled every 10 years since World War II
- A Diamond cutter is an apprentice for 10 years before cutting a 1 carat Diamond
- A 2 carat diamond is actually about 3 times more valuable than a comparable quality 1 carat size.
- 1 carat is one in a million diamonds mined, and a 2 carat is one in five million diamonds mined. Therefore, all things considered a 2 carat diamond is really "value priced" based on the rarity factor.
If you have any questions or need assistance in finding the perfect diamond, please contact us at 1-877-461-5284 or e-mail us at sales@quinnsjewelers.com.
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