Buying a diamond ring as a gift or token symbolizing an engagement, marriage or anniversary is a serious investment of time, craftsmanship and money. This is something you should not rush into unless you know what you are doing and the unwary frequently come unstuck with issues connected to their purchase coming to light later – a diamond is forever so take some time in choosing one. The first step in buying a diamond ring is to establish your budget.
This may seem basic and simple (it is!) but so many clients fail to do this and in particular, those looking to buy a ring for the first time such as a young couple purchasing an engagement ring. One standard for your budget is to use two months’ salary; you can see that this is now a serious purchase you are making! Though the standard varies widely, you are learning an important lesson – diamonds mean so much because they are rare and this means they have very real value underlining the importance of the ring both to you as the giver and especially for her as the receiver. The most important aspect of deciding your budget is your own level of affordability; be realistic with your budget and bear in mind that there are other important factors when it comes to buying a diamond ring too which we shall now look at. Diamonds are classified in many different ways – usually the Four C’s are used which are, Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat. Nature determines the color, clarity and carat of a diamond while it is the skill of the craftsman in cutting and polishing the stone who determines the cut.
Briefly, carat is the measure of weight of a stone; the more carats a diamond weighs then the rarer and more valuable it is – this is probably the most commonly known measure of diamond quality but it is only one. Color actually refers to the absence of color in a stone; many stones have a yellow tint or hue which affects the light passing through and reflected in the diamond creating a dull sparkle. Colorless diamonds are the best as they have no tint or coloring to tarnish the brilliance and sparkle of the diamond.
Clarity refers to the imperfections within the diamond itself formed as a result of the highly pressured and extremely high temperatures in the earth when the gemstone was initially formed. Specks of matter, gas bubbles, faults and fractures may develop and become apparent when the stone is cut and polished. These imperfections detract from the appearance of the stone and even where almost imperceptible, they affect the level of brilliance and fire of a diamond thus reducing the value.
The cut is solely within the hands of the craftsman who polishes the stone with precise measured and calculated cuts across various planes of the gem to create the shape of the diamond. An ideal cut will accentuate the brilliance and fire of a diamond while a poor cut will result in poor internal light reflection giving a dulled appearance. Take your time in becoming familiar with these factors before you commit to making your final decision.
By Lawrence Reaves, president of DanforthDiamond.com your best source for wedding rings, diamond rings and high quality jewelry at 40% off of retail. Danforth Diamond has trained staff to assist you in choosing the right ring for your tastes and your budget. Come visit the engagement ring experts at DanforthDiamond.com or call 877.404.RING
