Get to know gems

Get intimate with Gems

The main cost of the engagement ring is often the sparkling diamond or shimmering colored gemstone you choose to adorn. To avoid costly mistakes, it is very important to learn as much as you can about the stone you are considering. The best way to take the risk when purchasing a particular gemstone is to familiarize yourself with the gemstone. While the average consumer cannot hope to make the same precise judgments as a qualified gemologist, whose scientific training and wealth of practical experience provide a far greater body of data to operate on, the consumer can learn to view a gemstone as a “complete personality”. ” and learn what the critical factors are; color, clarity (sometimes referred to as “perfection” in the jargon), sparkle and brilliance, and weight, and how to balance them when assessing the value of the gemstone. Learning about these factors, by spending time in the market, watching, listening, and asking questions before you buy, prepares you to be a smart shopper who is more likely to get what you really want, at a fair price.

Choosing a Diamond

The diamond engagement ring has become the universal symbol Edelstein of love and connection between two people. It’s not just the formal beginning; visible “announcement” of your engagement, but the centuries-old symbolism surrounding the diamond reflects both the preciousness of the moment and the obligation of two lovers to cherish each other forever.
While some women prefer other gemstones to diamonds, or choose the special meaning of a family heirloom, a diamond is the overwhelming choice of today’s bride.

Some brides-to-be have no doubt been caught off guard by the unexpected presentation of an engagement ring, but it’s probably safest to choose the ring together. Even if the element of surprise is very romantic, remember that the engagement ring is meant to be worn for a lifetime. It is therefore particularly important that the bride really likes it; that it reflects their personal taste and style. If you’re a die-hard romantic who wants to surprise her, we suggest putting a photo of a ring you like in the “little black ring box” and handing her that instead; it combines romance with practicality, and you’re sending another important message: not only do you love her, but you understand the importance of working together on such an important decision!

In the previous and following articles we give you everything you need to know to buy a diamond with greater confidence. Whether you’re buying an engagement ring, a wedding or anniversary ring, or simply a beautiful piece of diamond jewelry to commemorate an important moment. The more aware you are of the elements that determine diamond quality, the better chance you have of knowing what you want, getting exactly what you’re looking for, and enjoying it consistently.

What is diamond?

Chemically, a diamond is the simplest of all gemstones. A diamond is plain, crystallized carbon; the same substance, chemically, as the soot that remains on the inside of a glass sphere after burning a candle; it is the same substance used in pencils.

The diamond is distinguished from these by its crystalline form, which gives it the desirable qualities that have made it so highly prized; its hardness, which gives it an unsurpassed load-bearing capacity; its brilliance; and its fire. (Note, however, that while diamond is the hardest known natural substance, it can chip or fracture if hit hard from certain angles, and if the “belt” has been cut too thin, it can chip even with a modest blow. )

The transparent white colorless diamond is the most popular variety, but diamonds also come in colors. When the color stands out, it’s called a fancy diamond. Diamonds are often found in beautiful shades of yellow and brown. Diamond colors such as pink, light blue, light green and lavender are much less common. In the case of diamonds, the colors are usually pastel. Deep diamond colors in shades of red, green and dark blue are extremely rare. Historically, most colored diamonds have sold for more than their colorless counterparts, with the exception of light yellow or brown varieties. Very pale shades of yellow or brown may not be fancy diamonds but are colorless stones that are very common and sell for much less than colorless or true ‘fancy’ color diamonds.

In addition to natural color diamonds, “fancy” diamonds are readily available that have been artificially colored by exposure to certain types of radiation and heating techniques. The contract of sale (and any accompanying certification reviews, etc.) should state whether the color is natural or artificial. If prompted, the price should be much lower, although the gemstone is often just as beautiful as one of a natural color.

 The four factors that determine diamond value The
quality and value of diamonds are determined by four factors. These are called the “Four C’s”. If we then ranked them according to their importance in determining a diamond’s value, we would list them as follows:

• color (body color)
• Clarity (degree of accuracy)
• Cutting and proportioning (often referred to as branding)
• Carat weight (which affects size)

However, in terms of defining beauty, we would rank them in a different order:

1. Cutting and proportioning
2. 2nd color
3. Clarity
4. Carat weight

Tips to get the diamond you really want, within your budget

If you’re on a budget, you might find it important to have a large, top-quality stone available; a “D” flawless with an ideal mark. But for most of us working on a budget, choosing the right ring is a matter of juggling and discovering what factors best meet our emotional and financial needs.

When it comes to diamonds, decide on color and sparkle first

When you’re on a budget, you have to compromise on something; either the size, color, clarity (degree of error) or vividness. From these four factors one can see size, color and vibrancy. In relation to what most people perceive on the finger, we think clarity is the least important. Personally, on a budget, we would choose a stone with the best possible color and vibrancy.

What most people don’t understand is that even with SI2 diamonds, imperfections are not really noticeable when wearing the diamond and in most cases cannot be seen at all without using a magnifying glass. In fact if you take a well cut 1 carat D color and FL (Flawless) clarity diamond and hold it up to a well cut 1 carat D/SI2 diamond you won’t see any difference to the naked eye see. Contrary to what many people think, it is not the degree of clarity that determines how lively a diamond is, but its cut and proportions. And you may feel a lot brighter when you can spend $7,500 on a diamond, D/SI2, which might look like a $36,000, D/IF, diamond to anyone without a magnifying glass!

The brilliance and vibrancy of the diamond is just as important as its color. After all, that is what distinguishes the piece of jewelery from glass and cheap imitations. A well-cut diamond has more brilliance; more brilliance and “fire” than any other gemstone. But the key to sparkle lies in its good cut. We have seen diamonds cut so badly they had no life at all. In fact, you might as well be looking at a piece of glass.

For this reason we prefer diamonds with very fine embossing. Diamonds that are cut to look a little larger than they actually are can also be pretty, but if cut too wide they are lifeless. In our opinion, we’d rather buy an exceptionally well-cut diamond; A diamond that really dances before your eyes, even though it costs more. As it costs more, we would consider lowering the color quality a little in exchange for the best possible “brand” or reducing the size a bit. When shopping, pay attention to how a diamond is cut. Ask for “ideal” branded diamonds. You will quickly recognize differences in brilliance and liveliness. Then your eye will help you find the right balance for your own budget.

A small difference in points can make a big difference in dollars.

The cost of a diamond increases significantly when it reaches the full 1 carat weight. However, try to find a diamond that weighs 90 points (or 9/10 carats). When set, few can tell the difference between a 90-point diamond and a full 1-carat diamond. However, the difference is very noticeable in dollars. Where a fine one carat diamond (G/VS1 quality) may sell for $9,800, a 90 point diamond of the same quality may cost as little as $8,500. The money you save could be paid for a gorgeous diamond studded wedding ring!

A word of caution: Be careful not to be sold a diamond that is too “spread” (a term used to describe a diamond that is cut to appear larger than its actual weight) . We have seen 90 point diamonds that are actually LARGER than a well cut 1 carat diamond. These diamonds usually lack the brilliance and sparkle of a well-made diamond. You can be happy with their size, but make sure you’re happy with the sparkle. After all, when you pay for a diamond, you deserve a stone displayed in its full beauty.

What to consider when choosing color quality.

D color is the rarest and most expensive color in white diamonds. There are very few diamonds that receive this very high rating. Diamonds graded from D to H on the GIA scale are classified as “white” by other grading systems and when mounted appear white. I and J colors are tinted “slightly tinted” by other systems, and you can see a yellowish or brownish tint in the stone body color. K and L can also be referred to as “tinted white” and you can see the tint more easily. M through Z can also be referred to as “tinted color” or “off-white” and appear yellowish or brownish white.

However, the cost difference between D and E color is; Although both are considered “white” diamonds, they can be significant.

It is important to remember that when setting a diamond it is extremely difficult to tell the difference between colors D, E and F without immediately comparing them to each other. If you are on a budget, choosing an E, F, or G color diamond instead of a D color may meet all your expectations. a “white” diamond with lots of sparkle and a good size.

The color of your setting can make your diamond appear whiter.

If you are on a budget, remember that if you feel you cannot afford a diamond that is as white as you want and that you cannot afford a diamond in white gold or platinum yet have the size and brilliance that are important Diamond appears whiter than it really is. Less white diamonds (L to M colors) may actually appear whiter in a white gold or platinum setting; The white of the metal is reflected in the diamond and masks the yellow, making the diamond appear whiter. Yellowish tinted diamonds (colors M – Z) usually look whiter in a yellow gold setting, the contrast with the bright yellow of the setting masking the diamond’s yellowish tint and often making it appear whiter.

Flaws can affect the beauty of your diamond ring less than you think.

On a budget, they can add beauty! As previously mentioned, flaws in a set diamond are usually not visible to the naked eye until clarity class I1 is reached! And even with diamonds classified as “I”, flaws are not immediately apparent once the diamond is set, especially when worn. While knowing the degree of error is important to ensure you are paying the right price, this is the factor that you can stretch the furthest without detracting from the beauty of the diamond you have chosen. It’s an area where juggling can dramatically impact the budget without sacrificing luster. As such, we usually recommend trying to meet your personal preferences for the other three factors first. The difference in price between Flawless and Internally Flawless and each subsequent tier can be dramatic. Looking at the diamonds without a magnifying glass, the D/SI@ would look like the D/IF!

Consider shapes other than round.

While the round brilliant diamond is considered by most to be the cut that best brings out the diamond’s maximum beauty, it typically looks smaller than diamonds in other shapes. Today, women show an increased interest in other forms. They appear larger in comparison to pear-shaped round diamonds and marquise-shaped diamonds.

Consider a design that uses multiple small stones as one large diamond.

As we’ve discussed in more detail in previous articles, beautiful designs can use multiple small diamonds instead of one large diamond. These designs offer a nice way to keep the budget down. The smaller the diamond, the lower the price per carat. For example, a one carat round brilliant diamond in a solitaire ring is more than a ring with three diamonds totaling one carat (each diamond weighs 1/3 carat). While a solitaire is the most popular ring style among brides-to-be, it is also the most expensive.

Look for the innovative designs available in multi-stone rings. These offer an alternative that can create a very important and individual look.

Illusion settings.

Certain settings create the illusion that a diamond is larger than it is.

– Bold designs in gold and platinum give smaller diamonds meaning and distinctiveness.

New designs that reflect today’s more independent woman are having a major impact on the engagement ring and wedding band market. Using wider, innovative metal designs can create a very impressive look using both a smaller diamond (less than a carat) and larger diamonds.

– Listen to your heart and your head.

The most important consideration when choosing your engagement ring is how you feel about it. You want to feel a thrill; You want to be excited; You want it to be your choice. If you really prefer yellow gold, don’t let anyone talk you into platinum; If you really prefer the pear-shaped diamond, don’t let anyone talk you into a round diamond.
One of our customers was torn between two diamonds; one was the finest possible color D and she knew it was the “better” diamond.

The other was slightly larger and not quite as white, color F, but it was of great workmanship and the sparkle was really stunning. She chose the slightly larger diamond, even though it was the color F, because she was being honest with herself and with her fiancée; She really preferred a slightly larger diamond, she was constantly drawn to that diamond because of its “personality”. The other diamond was a “rare” stone in color, making it more expensive per carat, but it wasn’t the Topas one she was really looking forward to. She made the right choice by going with her heart and not her head!