Diamonds are a lifetime investment and a beautiful thing to buy, especially a diamond engagement ring. When buying a diamond we understand that it is an important decision and we want our customers to have the knowledge that will help you make an informed choice. We take pride in knowing that we have given our customers the skills and knowledge to help them choose a diamond and create a stunning piece of jewellery.
When it comes to buying a diamond engagement ring you will want to create a piece of jewellery that will still be admired in years to come. We would like you to learn a bit about diamonds before making your final decision, below we have some information that will help you learn the basics of diamond buying. You can learn about the different diamond shapes/cuts and also about the four C's of diamonds.
After booking an appointment with one of our designers we will be able to teach you more and you will gain a more in depth knowledge of diamonds.
DIAMOND SHAPES
As diamonds come in various different shapes the choice you make will help determine the style and design of your engagement ring.
Below you can see the various shapes that are available. It is a good idea to try and find out which shape diamond your future fiancé would prefer! Round brilliant cut diamonds are the most popular shape as they have a very sparkly look, princess cuts are also very popular. We have made some stunning engagement rings in all the different shaped diamonds you see below. Just remember there is no right or wrong shape, it is all down to personal preference and style!
Round Brilliant Cut
The most classic diamond shape of all and by far the most popular. This diamond has been cut to maximise sparkle.
Princess Cut
This is the second most popular shape of diamond, it is almost a square version of the round brilliant cut in the way the facets of the diamond are cut.
Emerald Cut
Vintage glamour and style is what is associated with an emerald cut diamond. This was one of the first cuts of diamond to be used in jewellery and continues to remain a popular choice. It is also known as a step cut diamond and when you look into the top of the diamond it appears as if there is a hall of mirrors inside.
Pear Cut
Also known as a teardrop shape this diamond shape is very feminine and can make a delicate yet stunning choice. It can be worn either with the point facing up or down depending on your personal preference.
Radiant Cut
Similar shape to an emerald cut but with sparkle of a round or cushion. This elegant cut is a gorgeous alternative to an emerald cut if you want the classic rectangle shape but in a more dazzling cut.
Marquise Cut
The unique cut of this diamond was commissioned by King Louis XV in the 18th century, it was designed based on his mistresses lips! Because of its length this cut creates the illusion of a larger size diamond than the other shape cuts.
Square & Rectangle Cushion
The vintage, classic cushion cut diamond has been around for 200 years and used to be more popular than the round cut diamonds. It can come in a square or rectangle shape and has rounded corners. The cut of this shape allows in a lot of light therefore making it a brilliantly sparkling stone.
Oval Cut
An oval cut has a very similar appearance to the round brilliant cut, it has a similar sparkle and brilliance just in an oval shape. It has become a good choice for those wanting the shine of a round but in a more unusual option.
Heart Cut
A heart shape is an iconic symbol of love. Heart shape diamonds are popular as solitaire style engagement rings as the shape of the heart speaks for itself. They are a rare choice but can look absolutely stunning.
Asscher Cut
A cut of diamond which has become known as an art deco style, its step cut gives it a fascinating appeal which will have you staring into the diamond and studying it continuously. This cut is named after its creator and has become very popular with celebrities.
Trillion Cut
Possibly the most unusual choice for an engagement ring, the trillion cut is a triangle shape with softened corners and is used quite often as a side or accent diamond. It is a bold choice and has loads of fire in the diamond and therefore will truly stand out as an engagement ring.
The Four C's - Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat Weight
CUT
A diamond's cut is considered to be the most important of the four c's, a diamond's sparkle is created by the light travelling into the diamond and then coming back out which happens due to the cut of the diamond. Therefore the better the cut and the more perfect angles of each cut the more sparkle your diamond will have and it will also appear bigger than its actual size.
If you want a truly brilliant diamond then we would recommend getting an excellent or very good cut. Below is the GIA cut scale and a brief explanation of each scale.
Excellent/Ideal Cut - Tremendous sparkle, excellent polish and symmetry.
Very Good - Lots of sparkle, great polish and symmetry.
Good - A good amount of sparkle, sufficient polish and symmetry.
Poor - Will not sparkle very much, unsatisfactory polish and symmetry.
COLOUR
The colour refers to how white a diamond is. The higher on the colour grade scale the more rare and valuable a diamond will be. As you can see the colour grade goes from D-Z with D being the whitest diamond available although to the naked eye the differences in colour and are very minor from one grade to the next.
CLARITY
The clarity of a diamond is effectively how clean the diamond is. A diamond can have a blemish or an inclusion which can affect the appearance of the diamond. Most inclusions are invisible to the naked eye, you would need to see the diamond through a 10x magnification loupe to see the inclusions.
When considering the clarity of a diamond the shape an also make a difference. An emerald cut diamond or an asscher cut diamond would ideally need to be cleaner with a better clarity due to these shapes of diamond being quite a clear open look which will show any imperfections.
Below is a clarity scale which shows the different levels of clarities, the clarity can make a huge difference in the price of the diamond. In the below GIA clarity diagram you can see from the red marks what type of inclusions a diamond is likely to have for each level of the scale.
CARAT WEIGHT
A diamond's carat weight is the weight of a diamond. However if you compare diamonds of the same carat weight they most likely will not look the same. Two diamonds which have a slightly different size may have the same carat weight but because they have been cut differently the weight will be distributed differently. Some diamonds can be cut to appear larger from the view of the table (top of the diamond) but as we have learnt previously this may result in a less sparkly/brilliant diamond.
The images below show the difference in carat weights of a round brilliant cut diamond and also the anatomy of a diamond to give you a greater understanding.
Some diamonds emit a glow under an ultraviolet light which is called the fluorescence. On a diamond certification there will be a section that states the fluorescence of a diamond, it will state if it has none or the level of fluorescence from faint to very strong. The fluorescence is not visible under normal light only under an ultraviolet light but it is perceived as a defect therefore affecting the price.
POLISH
After a diamond is cut out of its rough from it is then polished. The better the polish the more perfectly finished the diamond will be which will affect the general appearance of the diamond. A poor polish can affect the light patterns which enter and exit the diamond giving it that brilliantly sparkly look.
SYMMETRY
The symmetry of a diamond refers to the precision of the facets in the cut of the diamond. If a diamond is perfectly symmetrical then the light will be able to travel in and out of the diamond giving the diamond the brilliance that creates the sparkle.
CERTIFICATION
Many diamonds are certified by a laboratory, the laboratory will assess the diamond and give their opinion on all the factors of the diamond. They will measure each angle and check each characteristic of the diamond. The four c's and all the above mentioned factors will be assessed, analysed and put into a report.
A laboratory certification adds value to the diamond and gives an impartial judgement of the diamond and all of its characteristics. There are many different laboratories which can assess and provide a report, GIA is the most renowned certification laboratory.
BUDGET
When buying a diamond it is best that you have a budget in mind before you start shopping. The prices of diamonds can vary massively; all the above factors can play a part in the value of a diamond. We prefer our customers to have a budget and a rough idea of what you would like and then we can advise you on the best way to get the most for your money and which factors we believe are the most important for the diamond you require.
If you have any queries or would like to book an appointment with one of our design team please contact us on 020 8449 6644 or email us at info@vjewellers.co.uk
Images courtesy of GIA