Are you looking to buy a diamond ring? You might be confused if you buy a diamond for the first time. Whether you’re planning to shop for diamond engagement rings to gift your loved one or splurge a little for extra self-love, purchasing a diamond can be confusing.
The first step to buying a diamond is to have enough knowledge to make an informed decision. Here are a few factors to assess the quality of diamonds; this guide can help you make the best decision.
Know the 4Cs of Diamond
Choosing from the multiple options of diamond engagement rings may seem challenging, but it isn’t. It doesn’t matter whether you have bought diamonds before; four simple factors can make your purchase the best one. Carat, colour, clarity, and cut; these four features in a diamond can tell a lot about its quality.
1. Carat
You must have heard individuals talking about 1-carat or 4-carat diamonds. Does the carat signify the weight of the diamond? One common misconception is larger the carat, the bigger the diamond.
To clear away all confusion, the carat is the metric system used to weigh the diamond. This is probably the most crucial factor when choosing a diamond ring. The average carat for an engagement ring ranges between 1 to 1.09 carats.
2. Colour
Diamond colours usually vary from shades of yellow and brown to white and grey. The colour of the diamond is described using the letters D to Z for shades of colourless to light brown.
Diamonds in D, E, and F shades are the most colourless. It’s unique to find a diamond that has no colour. They are expensive and are usually set in platinum.
Gemstone analysts usually grade the diamonds according to their shades while assessing them after extraction.
3. Clarity
Clarity refers to the imperfections found in a diamond. Internal features, called inclusions, and surface irregularities, called blemishes, are common to diamonds; these factors determine the clarity.
Magnification of the stones can reveal cuts, scratches, blemishes, and surface abrasions that are not visible to the naked eye. The clarity scale ranges from FL to I3. Needless to say, FL is the most flawless because it does not have inclusions or blemishes under 10x magnification, and I3 lacks transparency because of the defects.
The fewer flaws found in a diamond, the greater the clarity and ability to fetch a high price in the market.
4. Cut
The last ‘C’ is the cut. It is not the shape of the diamond but how well it interacts with light. The accuracy with which the diamond has been cut describes the cut. Usually, a diamond of superior grade can be identified by polish, proportion, and symmetry. A well-cut diamond looks good from every angle and has a better light return.
How to Choose the Best Diamond
Now that you know the factors used to grade diamonds, it’s time to ask you, “What are you looking for in diamonds?” Set your priorities and begin your search for the best diamond.
Remember, you may find a flaw in the stone, and still, you find it beautiful because of the other properties. Do not hesitate to purchase it because it is your choice. Every buyer has unique needs, and they make their purchase decisions accordingly.
These factors can help you find the perfect diamond so that you are not duped when you go to the seller.