Factors To Consider When Choosing a Diamond Ring
Whether you’re purchasing an engagement ring for the love of your life or just buying a nice piece of jewelry for yourself, choosing a diamond ring is a big decision. When making such a large investment, it’s important to do your research. In doing so, you can choose the best diamond possible for you or your partner. Below, we’ve listed some of the most important factors to consider when choosing a diamond ring.
The Four Cs
Most people know about the seven seas, but have you heard about the four Cs? In the world of diamonds, the four C’s refer to color, cut, clarity, and carat weight. Color refers to the shade the diamond comes in which may range from perfectly clear to slightly pink, yellow, blue, green, or orange.
The cut of a diamond refers to how a diamond’s facets interact with light to create sparkle and brilliance. The clarity of a diamond pertains to the presence or impurities or blemishes in the stone or lack thereof. Lastly, carat weight indicates the apparent size of the diamond. Each of these considerations serve as standards for judging the quality of a diamond.
The Shape
Another important factor to consider when choosing a diamond ring is the shape. Other than the classic circle, diamond rings come in numerous different shapes. Ultimately, what you choose will depend largely on you or your future fiancé’s taste. Some of the most popular shapes diamonds come in include:
- Cushion shape
- Round shape
- Princess shape
- Pear shape
- Emerald shape
- Asscher shape
- Heart shape
- Marquise shape
- Oval shape
The Setting
Once you’ve chosen a diamond, it’s time to select a setting. The setting of a diamond ring refers to what holds the diamond in place. In addition to securing the stone, a setting also serves to highlight the diamond’s beauty and protect it from damage. While there are numerous diamond ring settings to choose from, some of the most popular include:
- Halo: A halo setting refers to a rim of numerous gemstones which completely encircle the center gemstone.
- Bezel: A Bezel setting refers to when the diamond is held in place by a rim of metal wrapped around the gem.
- Prong: in a prong setting, a diamond is secured by either four or six prongs. This setting is traditional and highly popular.
- Tension-Set: A tension-set diamond is held in place by the band which presses against either side of it firmly. This setting gives the center stone a floating appearance.
By keeping these key considerations in mind, you should be able to find the perfect diamond ring for you or your loved one.
