Jewellery News and Reviews

This time I’m going to take a look at one of the “4 C’s” of how diamonds are graded. In case you don’t know, diamonds are graded in 4 main categories or groupings - cut, color, carat and clarity. Let’s take a close look at one of the biggies – clarity.

The clarity grading scale goes from IF (the best) down to I3 (the worst). In total, there are ten grades that a diamond can fall into.

Clarity refers to the number of “inclusions” that are found in the stone. Basically, inclusions are small blemishes or imperfections. These occur naturally when the rock is forming in the earth and they can be found in almost all diamonds.

When grading the diamond, a gemologist looks at the diamond under magnification to look at the inclusions that are in the stone. The grading is then decided on the number of inclusions, and as well how noticeable or large they are.  Keep in mind that this is done under strong magnification.

As an example, a diamond that has an IF or flawless grading has no inclusions at all. This is extremely rare, and understandably, this type of diamond carries a huge price premium attached to it.

A diamond graded VS2 will have “very slight” inclusions – these are only noticeable under a microscope and aren’t noticeable with just the naked eye. These diamonds are priced for significantly less that an IF graded diamond.

Make sure to understand the different ways diamonds are graded. Pick up a diamond buying guide – this will make a huge difference in the end and will make it possible to save some huge cash on your purchase. It can be the difference between finding an affordable engagement ring instead of overpaying and making your jeweler richer.

The diamond engagement ring is the most important item of jewelry any man ever buys. It is also the item most valued and treasured by women. If you are a man who wants to marry the love of his life and you are looking at diamond engagement rings it is perfectly normal to feel anxious about making the right choice. However, at some point you will have to overcome your nerves and go with your instinct.

The Cost Should Not Matter

If you are a man looking for a diamond engagement ring do not assume that your future wife will be disappointed if you don’t purchase the biggest and most expensive rock you can find at an outlet such as Tiffany’s. Any woman who is materialistic enough to want a very expensive ring would not make a very good wife anyway. It is better to save up for a ring that you can afford than get into debt to buy one that is beyond your budget.

The sentiment and symbolism behind the ring are more important than the cost. Diamonds symbolize eternity, love, strength and endurance. To give a woman a diamond engagement ring is to let her know that the love you have for her is permanent and indestructible, just like the gemstone.

Finding a diamond engagement ring that will suit the recipient is also more important than the price tag. When choosing a ring it is a good idea to consider your partner’s personal prefrences. Does she favor traditional styles or is her taste more unique? How large are your partner’s hands? Large hands can handle a bigger ring but small and dainty fingers require something more delicate.

If you’re a woman and your partner pops the big question and presents you with a diamond engagement ring do not make the mistake of measuring his love for you by the size of the gemstone. Instead be flattered that your partner cares enough about you to present you with a diamond and, more importantly, that he actually wants to spend the rest of his life with you. Furthermore, remember that we are now living in the 21st century and both genders are regarded as equals, at least in industrialized countries. Therefore perhaps you should return the sentiment buy purchasing your partner a diamond wedding ring.

Getting Good Value For Money

Though the cost of the diamond engagement ring should not be regarded as significant, only a fool would not try to get the very best value for money. Therefore it is a good idea to price compare diamond engagement rings and look for discounts. By doing this it is often quite possible to get a valuable diamond engagement ring for much little less than the recommended retail price. When shopping for a ring it is important to look out for one with a diamond that has the best carat weight, color, clarity and cut that you can reasonably afford.

Newer Entries »