Here are some tips to help you get in the habit of buying a diamond ring for your “special lady”. This is not something you should do. This is not only a decision you will make, but it will also be the end of a relationship that you cherish the most.
There are universally recognized rules that govern the purchase of diamonds. You can avoid all the pitfalls if you follow these rules.
First, let’s talk about geology. Diamonds are 99.95% crystallised carbon. This means that they can be very old – up to 3 billion years. They are the hardest known naturally occurring substance. They form beneath the Earth’s crust when crystals of the diamond are found in volcano feedpipes. After volcanoes have eroded down, they release the diamonds into layers of gravel. Due to the rarity of this natural process diamond mines can be found only in a few locations around the globe. The rough diamonds are shipped to world-renowned cutting centres where they are shaped and polished before being made into jewellery. This is when they become a girl’s best friend.
Here’s a quick history lesson. Legend says that Archduke Maximilian was a love-struck Austrian who came up with an innovative idea. Why not gift Mary of Burgundy a beautiful diamond ring to celebrate her engagement? He placed it on her third finger. This finger was believed to have an ancient Egyptian vein that leads straight to her heart. You don’t need worry about whether or not the marriage was a success.
The Four Cs
You now know the reasons you’re buying an engagement band made of diamonds. Now you can learn about the “Four Cs”, cut, colour clarity, carat, and how they are calculated. When comparing diamonds, all must be considered equally. However, Tiffany and Co explains that the most important characteristic of a diamond is its cut.
Cut: Because it is the only characteristic of a natural diamond, cut can be influenced by the nature. The defining sparkle of a diamond will be affected if it is not cut correctly. It is the angle and size of the 57 to 58 facets, the tiny planes on the surface of the diamond that determine how light reflects back and exits the gem. This is called the diamond’s “fire”. If the cuts are too long or too short, the diamond will appear less brilliant.
The cut determines the shape of the diamond. The most common cut is the round. However, there are other shapes such as the emeralds, the pear and marquise. Ask for a photo of all these shapes to ensure that you have considered all options.
Colour: The most precious and rarest colour is white. A “D” is the highest possible grade for absolutely colorless diamonds. The scale increases to “Z”, which is the highest possible grade. Fancies are diamonds with a distinct and strong colour. They are very rare.
Clarity: Many people are unnecessarily concerned about the clarity and color of a diamond. With a jeweller’s loupe (magnifying eyesight), you can look into most diamonds and see small “inclusions”, also called “nature’s fingerprints”. Although they look similar to tiny clouds or feathers, they are almost invisible to the naked eyes. While inclusions can impact the fire of diamonds, they are also unique and should not always be considered a fault. It’s not worth worrying about what you can’t actually see. If the stone is graded SI1 or higher (best is IF, Internally Flawless), then you should be okay.
Carat is the measure of the weight and therefore size of a diamond. A carat is equal 200mgm or 0.2gm. A carat is broken down into 100 smaller units called “points”. 75 points is the equivalent of three quarters of a carat. The average size of engagement-ring diamonds ranges from one to half a Carat. Carats should not be confused with karats which is the unit of purity in gold.
Reputable jewellers will be familiar with the four Cs. They’ll also be willing to walk you through them when showing diamonds. You can request a “certstone”, which is a certified diamond that has been graded, coded, and tested by an independent gemmological laboratory. Because not all certificates are widely recognized, it is important to know what type of certificate you have. The Gemmological Institute of America (GIA), is the international standard for internationally recognised certificates. HRD (the Gemmological Institute of America) is another popular certificate. EGL, IGL, EGL, and AGS are all also available. See Diamond Certificate Issuers, right. The cost of a grading certification varies according to the carat weight of your diamond. For exact prices, please contact a laboratory. You can also organize your own certificate instead of accepting the recommendation from the jeweller.
It is also important to have cert stones in order to avoid buying “diamonds made with substitutes”. Topaz, white sapphires, quartz, and zircon are all natural minerals that are nearly colorless and can be used as natural substitutes for natural diamonds. You can also find synthetic substitutes like moissanite or cubic zirconia. Although these synthetic substitutes are legitimately inexpensive, they can often be passed off as genuine diamonds, although this is rare.
You can also artificially treat diamonds, such as by having them fracture filled, irradiated, or laser-treated. All of these are legal, provided that the buyer is informed. But if you want a genuine, untreated diamond be careful about terms like “clarity increased”.
What amount should I pay for?
This is the fifth C: cost. Although it is personal decision to how much you spend, the average salary for a worker is one to two months. This is a point I want to make: it seems to have been influenced by De Beers’ advertising machine. Spend as much as you want and have the financial means to do so. De Beers is the only company that has a monopoly over the diamond industry. They have an interest in what your spend. It is best to forget the idea that a diamond-ring ring is a wise investment. A retailer can markup a new diamond band by as much as 100%. It could also lose half its value once you leave the shop. It can take five years to get a diamond back to its original price, even if it was bought at wholesale rates from Hatton Garden in London.
Give her what you want
All it takes to know the IFs of your I3s. But if you don’t purchase the right kind of engagement ring, everything is lost. It is important to not surprise her with a dazzling diamond ring and to choose something that suits your personal taste.
To find out her style preferences, you can look at the type of jewellery she has. Do you prefer traditional or modern designs? Do you prefer white gold, yellow or two-tone (white, yellow and platinum)? What is her reaction to women’s engagement rings. Do you ever notice a style she is interested in? However, it is possible that after some quick discussion with her girlfriends or female relatives (if they are willing to share your secrets), you will get a pretty accurate picture of her likes.
While she will most likely prefer a traditional diamond solitaire, which accounts for 76% of all engagement rings sold, there are many options to display a quality stone in a ring. A Tiffany-style solitaire would she prefer? It has prongs that keep the diamond high. Maybe a basket setting? Or another style with a low head? You should, however, involve her in this decision. Although it might be contrary to your romantic instincts she will appreciate it.
1: Buying from Jewellers
There are other options than buying an engagement band from a jeweller. A shop or auction might be a good option. However, if you are looking for a new ring, it is best that you visit as many jewellers and as many shops as possible. Remember that the most expensive jewellers on major high streets are usually more expensive than London’s Hatton Garden. So if you can find a variety of shops in one street, then it is worth considering. Jewellers are usually busiest during the Christmas season and before Valentine’s Day. August is usually their slowest month. This may make August the best time to negotiate a better deal. When you visit a shop, make sure to go through this checklist.
* Does the store have an established and well-respected local reputation?
* Does the staff possess sound gemmological knowledge. Pay attention to unexplained and gratuitous jargon.
* Will the shop sell you diamonds with an internationally recognized gemmological certification? If yes, ensure you save the original certificate and not a duplicate.
* Is the shop a part of a trade organization? If yes, which trade association?
* Is the shop able to provide a detailed receipt along with your purchase? This is essential for any insurance claim or future repairs.
* Does the shop have a busy repair department? This is a sign of customer trust.
* Which warranties and guarantees do the shops offer? These should be carefully read.
* Will the salesperson permit you to view the diamond through a loupe? A black background can hinder the perception of colour in diamonds.
2: On The Web
Online purchasing of diamond rings is not recommended. To ensure you are fully informed, you need to see the diamonds in person. If you decide to buy diamond rings online, make sure that you only purchase certified stones. You also need to pay attention to shipping terms and tax and duty fees if purchasing from a foreign site. You can do your research online.
3: Only the brave are allowed
If you are looking for great deals, there are companies out there that will break the traditional supply chain. Hatton Garden wholesalers, which normally sell direct to retailers, are another option. Although they won’t be easily recognized on the streets, with a ring to ring, loose diamonds can be sold at half the cost of comparable high street prices. They won’t have the time or interest in selling to people who aren’t serious. Get numbers and names of jewellery trade organizations to get started.