10 Things you need to know about DIAMONDS Jewellers jargon can be confusing, so before you go shopping here’s some useful advice…
BIGGER ISN'T ALWAYS BETTER
The 'two months' salary budget guideline for an engagement ring was set by the diamond industry
to try and encourage people to spend a maximum
amount without going bankrupt, but it's a not a rule
of thumb and you shouldn't feel obligated to follow it.
The best advice is don't spend more than you feel comfortable with. One way you can save money is by 'buying shy'. A diamond's value increases significantly when it reaches a true carat weight, like a half or a full-carat.
Steer clear of rounded up numbers like 1/2 carat (0.25), 1/4 carat (0.50), 1 carat (1.00) and so on, as these attract premium prices. There is a negligible size difference between a true carat-weight diamond and a stone that's just shy of the true carat weight, but this small difference in weight can make a big difference in the price. If you put the two stones side-by-side, you probably wouldn't even notice that one is smaller than the other. If you opt for a gem just under a carat (or under 2 or 3 carats for that matter), the saving can be up to 30%.
BE EDUCATED
Learn the lingo before you hit the stores, especially the four Cs - cut, colour, clarity and carat. These are the four key characteristics that determine a diamond's value, and it's important to know what each one means so you can make an informed purchase.
SHAPE MATTERS MOST
Even before those infamous 4Cs (cut, colour, clarity, and carat), you must know what shape your future fiancée loves. It's fairly common to confuse a diamond's cut with its shape. The cut describes a diamond's light performance, dimensions and finish. Shape refers to the overall outline of
the diamond when viewed from the top.
Round is far and away the most popular diamond shape, followed by square shapes such as princess and emerald. There are many shapes available on the market today but the most classic cuts are round brilliant, emerald, oval, pear, marquis and square. The shape you choose generally does not affect the cost or quality of the stone. Instead, it is more a reflection of the natural shape of the rough diamond before it was cut.
SETTINGS ARE SECOND
A quality setting - the metal framework in which your stone is mounted - can set the tone for a ring. A classic round gets a fresh and modern makeover if the mount is in a bezel setting. A trendy oval can look more traditional in a four-prong setting.
 Getting the right combination of shape and setting is key. The type of activities the wearer engages in should also be taken into consideration.
The prong style setting is the most popular engagement ring setting, especially for solitaire (single diamond) rings. Here the diamond is set in a metal basket and secured with three or more prongs or claws, making it appear to hang from the prongs. Prong settings allow more of the diamond to be visible than most other settings and can be used with almost any stone shape. Prong settings also allow for the most light to enter the diamond and be refracted, increasing the diamond's sparkle.
A more modern choice is a bezel setting - a metal band that wraps around a circular diamond to hold it in place. You can also get partial bezels which only surround the sides of the stone. Bezel settings are known for their durability and can accentuate a diamond, making it look larger than it would in a prong setting, or covering any external flaws.
A flush setting is made by creating a tapered hole in which the diamond sits with the surrounding metal pressed around the rim of the stone. This setting offers good protection for diamonds and a smooth surface. Flush settings provide a very tailored appearance.
A pave setting is one where the ring's band is literally paved with diamonds. Small stones encrusted along the surface of the ring give the illusion of a solid diamond surface rather than a metal band. Unlike channel or bezel settings, a pave setting uses only tiny beads or minute prongs to hold each stone, minimizing the appearance of the metal while maximising the illusion of free-standing diamonds.
KNOW YOUR METALS
Platinum and gold (either white or yellow) are the top choices for engagement rings, with titanium increasing in popularity all the time. Titanium and platinum is the most expensive option, but many brides feel the high price is worth it as this is a far more durable metal
that will show fewer nicks and scratches.
Today, white gold is chosen over platinum primarily because of its lower cost. A white gold wedding band can cost as little as one-fourth the price of a platinum ring. Both white gold and platinum are known to show off the brilliance of diamonds, whereas yellow gold may create the illusion of a yellowish tint on some styles. Some people believe that yellow gold casts an unflattering light on the diamond, while others prefer the hues warmth and traditional look.
BUYING LOOSE STONES
By buying loose we don't mean buying a ring with a wobbly diamond in it, we mean buying an un-mounted diamond, the way the trade buy them. By buying a diamond loose, you can pay much lower prices than buying it ready made into a ring, especially compared with High Street jeweller prices. When you buy a pre-set ring, you're paying for the stone(s), the setting, and the work it took to set the stone(s) all together. When you purchase a diamond on its own, every penny of the purchase price is going towards the four Cs: the Cut, Colour, Clarity, and Carat weight of the stone. By concentrating on the stone by itself, you are free to search for the exact rock you want and can choose the perfect setting later; you are not limited to whatever stone has been pre-set in each setting choice.
You'll also be able to tell if you're getting an inferior-quality stone, because a retailer won't be able to hide inclusions or colour flaws behind a pristine setting. The most common way to buy a loose stone is through a diamond wholesaler online. While you may be nervous about buying such a precious and expensive gem over the internet (more about this later), a reputable company will give you up to a month to evaluate your diamond so you can get the stone appraised and return it for a refund if you're not satisfied.
BE CUSTOM CREATIVE | | Believe it or not, many reputable jewellers offer one-of-a-kind rings without charging exorbitant fees. Creating your own bespoke ring starts with a great idea. Once you know how you want your ring to look, talk to the jewellery designer who will make a sketch of your design either on paper or on a computer programme, this allows you to make any changes, before the ring is made for real. |
The advantages of creating your own bespoke design are obvious - you get to choose the size of diamond you want, the setting and the type of metal used - every last detail will be your design, but the one negative to this is that if you don't like the end product, that's tough as you are committed to buy a commissioned work.
CONSIDER SHOPPING ONLINE
The internet has opened up a world of shopping opportunities and diamonds are readily available to buy online, often at very low prices. If you do decide to buy online make sure you do your homework and remember that if a price seems too good to be true, it probably is. It is possible to buy quality rocks online at prices that are cheaper than the high street, simply because these retailers as acting as wholesalers and don't have any commercial overheads, but on the negative side, ifyou buy a ring or diamond via the internet, from a site based at home or abroad, you don't get to view your purchase in person before you buy. As a safeguard, only buy certified stones and pay special attention to the delivery terms, refund policy and possible tax and duty charges if buying from a
foreign-based site. Sites worth checking out include:
www.thediamondshop.co.uk , www.approveddiamonds.com www.jewellerywebshop.co.uk and www.cooldiamonds.com
INVEST IN INSURANCE
Once you've purchased that perfect stone, don't forget to insure it in case you inadvertently lose or damage it. You've invested a lot of time and money to get the diamond of your dreams, so you want to make sure your purchase - and your ability to replace it if necessary - is well-protected. These policies are generally not offered through your diamond dealer, but fall into the category of Home Owners Insurance. Consult your broker for details.
GET THE PAPERWORK
Your diamond should be delivered to you along with a lab report
certifying its  authenticity. It will state the quality, weight and cut
of the stone. The most important step in choosing a diamond is reviewing the diamond certificate, referred to by diamond grading labs as a grading report. A grading report documents the characteristics of a diamond, like the four Cs. Before purchasing a diamond, review a copy of its grading report, as this is proof that it has undergone an unbiased, professional examination. wj
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