Picking out a diamond engagement ring is a very exciting and memorable experience. The more you know about diamonds the better you will be at finding the perfect diamond to fit your budget. To be able to choose a good quality diamond you must first understand the 4 C’s. The 4 C’s are cut, color, clarity and carat weight.

When a jeweler talks about a diamond’s cut they are not referring to the shape. The shape refers to the general appearance of the diamond. They are talking about the angles and proportions that are made when a rough diamond is transformed into a polished diamond.

The cut is probably the most important and the hardest to figure out when it comes to choosing a diamond.  The brilliance of the diamond depends heavily on its cut. The cut gives a diamond the brightness that shines throughout the diamond. Because the cut is so important there are several grading methods that have been developed to help determine the cut.  The grades are Ideal, Very Good, Good and Fair/Poor cuts.

The Ideal cut is intended to maximize brilliance and usually is more expensive.  Very Good cut diamonds will reflect most of the light that enters them creating a good deal of brilliance. The Good cut diamond can offer an excellent cost savings to you if you are trying to stay within a budget. The Good cut offers quality and beauty for a reasonable price. Most reputable jewelers stay away from cuts that are Fair to Poor, because this cut only reflects a small portion of light.

Most diamonds will contain some type of flaw or inclusions that happened during the formation process.  The number, size and visibility of these flaws determine the clarity of the diamond.  Diamonds that have less flaws or imperfections will create more brilliance and therefore are highly prized and pricier.

When it comes to diamonds, no color is the most desirable. This is because it allows the most reflection of light.  When jewelers are grading the color of a diamond, they refer to a professional color scale.  The scale begins with the highest rating of the letter “D” for colorless and a color scale continues all the way to Z. You will notice that there may be a very faint hint of yellow apparent in diamonds graded J through M. These grades of diamonds look very nice in a gold setting.

The carat is the unit of weight by which a diamond is measured.  Large diamonds are less common than small diamonds. The larger the diamond is, the higher the price.  To decide on the carat size you first need to determine your budget.  Deciding on the carat size is about striking a balance between size and quality.

These are just a few things that you should know when you are deciding on which diamond engagement ring to buy the love of your life.  It’s wise to shop around and do your homework and learn all you can about diamonds and pricing.  This is just a simple overview to give you an idea of what you need to look for.  You can do your own research and find out more about the 4 C’s and Diamond Certificates so you can make a knowledgeable decision on the ring for your fiancé.

by Lawrence Reaves

Photo by paulmcdee

Spring is in the air, and along with the impending warmer weather season, comes thoughts of flowers, love and feelings of sentimentality. For those who may be in the market for a type of engagement ring that has the ability to easily stir up a lively conversation; or a diamond that readily brings Cupid to mind; a Hearts and Arrows diamond may just be the thing to suit your fancy. (Yes, there really is such a thing. ) A Hearts and Arrows diamond is a brilliant round shaped diamond that, when looked at from the top, reflects the likeness of arrows. When turned over, and viewed from a totally different angle, the display has a distinct similarity to the appearance of hearts.

The history of the Hearts and Arrows diamonds cut is quite interesting. Originally discovered in Japan during the 1980’s; and warmly accepted in the United States during the 1990’s, it is so named due to the unusual pattern it displays when placed under a special diamond viewer.

This particular cut, known for its precise symmetry, takes more than double the amount of time to cut and polish, as it would take to produce a similar sized regular round brilliant diamond cut, so expect the price to be at least comparatively higher.

Only a small percentage of diamonds produced today can be termed as authentic Hearts and Arrows. While checking the background and authenticity of any diamond is always a wise thing to do, this important step becomes particularly important when selecting any specialty diamond pieces. This means that any purchaser would need to take the necessary steps to ensure that any diamond labeled as such, has the characteristics of a true Hearts and Arrows diamond, because after all, a true love deserves to be recognized with a true diamond.

Happy Spring from Danforth Diamonds, who believe in helping you find the perfect diamond.

Go on. You can do it! But for now…Congratulations and best wishes on your new and exciting adventure!

Just what are Channel diamonds?

The term channel refers to the arrangement of diamonds in a manner and in a setting where each diamond is set side by side; precisely lined up within two bands of precious metal. Within these bands of usually either platinum or gold, there is usually no additional metal separating diamond from diamond. The result is a spectacular jewelry piece, with absolutely no illusion. What you see is pure gemstone against gemstone, shimmer against shimmer… with no filler added.

While there may be a bit of room for resizing, as in the case of a half diamond band; due to an unusually close and precise fit, extra special care needs to be taken when selecting a full diamond filled band. There need not be any uneasiness associated with this, as a reputable jeweler will be more than happy to advise, as well as assist you with a proper selection and fit.

Channel diamonds can be wonderful complements for any solitaire engagement ring. Just imagine a center stone….round, marquis, pear, or princess shaped… flanked by a row of tasteful channel diamonds on either side. For additional dazzle, one may even choose to select a double row of diamonds; as well as make a selection of a matching full or semi-channeled diamond wedding band.

The diamonds selected can be of almost any cut, but are usually chosen, based on achieving a specifically desired effect or spark. Round diamonds are always an attractive choice for either the undecided, or for those who prefer the more traditional route. Princess cut diamonds in a channel setting are especially beautiful, and add a touch of uniqueness to just about any engagement ring or wedding ring. Take a leisurely look. With so many to choose from, there is sure to be a channel that is just right for you.

Channel diamonds? What else to think about when buying a diamond?

The selection of an engagement ring is usually an emotional choice. Once selected and presented , the engagement ring immediately becomes an important component of the couple’s sentimental package, as well as a thing to talk about for the years to come. Because of its becoming a part of the ongoing legacy, a poor ring selection would be difficult to return or exchange. This is why care should be taken when selecting an engagement ring, symbolizing this most important step in a personal relationship. While budget and personal choice are major factors in the selection, the ever important 4Cs, cut, color, carat and clarity, should still be kept in mind prior to making a diamond selection.

Along with budget considerations, the personality of the intended recipient will also need to be considered. Keep in mind that the selected engagement ring is to become part of the bride’s permanent jewelry collection and that, while it may not be a reflection of the relationship, it is a direct reflection of the taste and personality of the giver. Diamond engagement rings are available in many styles and cuts.

While the tasteful, single round solitaires are still a “safe” choice, the availability of other styles are very much worth considering. A single solitaire does not necessarily have to be round any more. One now has the flexibility to make a selection from any number of cuts. Even more exciting news is that today’s diamond engagement ring no longer has to be a single solitaire. It can be surrounded by other accompanying diamonds or other complementing gems, for example sapphires or rubies. Regardless of size or configuration, a diamond engagement ring should be carefully selected, for it is, after all… a matter of the heart.