Last Updated on December 29, 2023
The engagement ring is about as special as jewellery gets. This is not only from the point of view of the physical object itself but in terms of what this small ring represents to the wearer.
When you get down to it, there are 5 c’s of diamonds that you should take into consideration when buying a diamond engagement ring. These are as follows.
1. The Cut
This is probably the most important of the five c’s and the one that humans have the most influence over. Diamond cutting is an incredibly difficult art that can make or break the look of a diamond and something you should pay close attention to.
This is because the cut defines how the diamond behaves under light, including the brightness, the ‘fire’, which is the rainbow effect you see when looking at a diamond and the scintillation – the flashes of light you see when turning the diamond.
A perfectly cut diamond will outshine poorer cuts and is the key to a truly radiant engagement ring.
2. The Color
This might not have been something you even thought to investigate, but the color of the diamond that you purchase makes a big difference to the overall look of the stone. Diamond color is defined on a scale from D to Z, D being the clearest white whilst Z represents diamonds that have a yellowish hue.
You will want to ask where on this scale the diamond that you have in mind ranks, as it will define a lot about how it will look.
3. The Clarity
When the jeweller talks about clarity, what they are referring to is the number and size of the flaws or ‘inclusions’ that are present within a diamond. They usually look like flecks of different colors within the diamond. Almost every diamond in the world has some inclusions present within them.
Those that are without flaw are extremely rare and unbelievably valuable. Chances are the diamond that you choose will have some of these marks when observed through a spyglass.
However, these marks are completely natural and in many ways what make each stone unique, just like the wearer themselves.
4. The Carat
This is the ‘C’ that most people will have heard of, as the term is liberally bandied about in popular culture from movies to magazines. The carat value of a diamond simply refers to the weight of a diamond stone. For example, one carat is equal to 200 milligrams. A five-carat stone will weigh a gram.
The common misconception is that carat has something to do with the size of the stone. People can have all sorts of anxiety agonising over carats, however, a diamond’s carat count is not the perfect indicator of its value.
For example, a better cut diamond may weigh less than a poorer quality cut but shine and dazzle much more impressively than the poorer cut. If in doubt, prioritise the cut over the carat value.
5. The Certification
A properly certified diamond is the only type of diamond that you want. The certification that comes with the diamond should come from an independent lab and stipulate the credentials of the diamond from its cut to its carat weight. Beyond making sure that it is a properly certified diamond, don’t get too hung up on the various details that it provides.
Instead, be inspired more by the reaction that the diamond elicits from yourself and from your fiancé, as it is you two who will cherish its looks for the rest of your lives.
Summary
In conclusion, have a considered and holistic understanding of a diamond’s elements before you buy it. Especially remember the value of the cut and its power to transform the look of a diamond.
