Is it about time to start ring shopping? Congratulations! This is undoubtedly the happiest and most exciting time of your life, but probably the most stressful as well. Naturally, you want all wedding-related to go exactly as you imagined and give your partner everything he/she wants and more! But I promise you this- if you follow these five simple rules, you can relax and enjoy the ride, because you're guaranteed to get the best value for your money and pop the question with a stunning engagement ring your partner will be obsessed with.
But before we get to our five simple hacks, we've got the answers to some of the most common and pressing questions people have when they first start looking for diamond jewelry.
What is a diamond grading report?
A diamond grading report is a scientific document that describes in detail the diamond's quality characteristics. Based on the diamond's grades determined by expert analysis, the value and price of the diamond will be determined. Today, diamond grading is done either by a gemologist or by an automated AI-based technology without any human interference and subjectivity.
How can I be confident that the grading report belongs to the diamond I buy?
There are several ways to check that the diamond grading report matches the stone, although they are not all 100% bulletproof. The most reliable way is a Birth Registration ID that is based on a scientific 3D scanning procedure done at the mine, which creates a verifiable image of the physical diamond and a definitive link to its digital report. Other ways involve laser inscription on the stone and deceleration-based reports that are unfortunately prone to manipulation.
How can I know for sure the diamond is sustainable and conflict-free?
As opposed to old misconceptions, currently, 85% of the world's natural diamonds by volume are extracted and marketed by sustainable mining businesses. Furthermore, thanks to new innovative technology, consumers today can be 100% confident that their diamond was ethically sourced and produced. By asking for a Diamond Journey™ report based on verifiable data and cutting-edge tech, you can see where your diamond was mined, manufactured, and graded to make sure its journey was free from any kind of terrorism or terror-related areas.
1. BEWARE OF THE ROUND NUMBERS
Whether you're shopping for a big diamond ring or a small one, do it wisely. When you first start shopping for a diamond, you tend to think in round numbers. But diamond cutters and retailers know the way your mind works too, so the diamond price per carat jumps significantly at each magic number. So we are here to introduce you to the Off Size Diamonds. Also called special sizes, Off Size Diamonds are stones that aren't round carat weights such as 1 carat, 1.5 carats, etc. Most of us probably can't distinguish between a 1 carat and a 0.9 carat diamond ring, but this tiny weight difference could save you quite a bit. Even a 1.7 can even be a good range if you're looking for a 2 carat center stone.
2. LIGHT PERFORMANCE
Light Performance is a relatively new parameter that captures a diamond's true visual beauty and sparkle. Ultimately the most important characteristic to most. A diamond's light performance is essentially a measure of its interaction with light. Light is the energy that brings a diamond to life. It ignites the fire inside, sets off the sparkle, reveals hidden symmetries, and expresses a diamond's brilliance. Light performance is the most accurate and comprehensive way to determine a diamond's visual appeal and uniqueness. Beyond the 4Cs, this parameter adds a new dimension to diamond grading and provides a rich, comprehensive, and objective view of a diamond's visual beauty.
After seeing so many diamonds, your eye might be overwhelmed, and you can't really distinguish which one sparkles more. So make sure to ask the jeweler about the diamond's light performance to understand what you are buying in a truer light.
3. THE 4C's ULTIMATE HACKS: KNOW WHAT'S WORTH YOUR MONEY
One of the most common mistakes people make when purchasing a diamond is overpaying for clarity. The smallest inclusion in a diamond significantly affects its clarity grade, but the thing is, many inclusions and blemishes are too tiny to be seen by the naked eye. To us, a VS1 and an SI2 diamond may look exactly the same, but the difference in the diamond ring price, though, will be impossible to miss.
On the other hand, here's the C you should pay more for. If you care about how beautiful your diamond is, and you probably do, remember that the cut is the most important C of all. Not many know this, but despite the fact that it makes the biggest difference in appearance, an excellent cut doesn't cost much more than a mediocre one.
4. CHOOSE YOUR SHAPE WISELY
Today the most in-demand shape is the round brilliant-cut, which also makes it the most expensive. Consider diamond rings that consist of "fancy shapes," such as a Princess, Marquise, Pear, or Oval. It could save you as much as 25% from a round brilliant-cut diamond of comparable size, color, and clarity. Another bonus: Fancy-shaped diamonds tend to appear larger to the naked eye because of their elongated appearance.
5. STAY GOLDEN
The most expensive metal is typically platinum, but a white gold diamond ring can give the same glamorous aesthetic at a lower price. Although similar in price per gram, more platinum is required to make a ring because it’s denser.
But wait. Let me be devil’s advocate here for a second. When thinking for the long run, know that platinum requires much fewer maintenance expenses compared to gold variants.
With that being said, it is recommended to repolish gold jewelry only every few months, and there are easy ways to clean it at home and keep it shiny.
FOLLOW YOUR HEART
No one knows your partner better than you. You know her style, what she likes and what she cares about the most. Whether it's vintage, classic, contemporary, antique, sustainable, or unique and non-traditional. If you or the people close to your spouse didn't receive specific and strict instructions, trust your guts, and it will pay off. And be patient. If you haven't found a ring you think your partner will love, you probably just haven't come across the right one yet. There's no shame in asking the jeweler tons of questions, and paying numerous visits to the same shop, so don't feel pressured into buying straight away and wait until it feels right. Your other half will appreciate the effort.
