Engagement rings and diamonds are typically always considered together, however most people have very little understanding of what makes a diamond a good selection of not. Diamonds in engagement rings or any other type of jewelry are graded on four different aspects or components. These four components include cut, clarity, carat and color .
Engagement ring settings with solitaire type diamonds are going to require the most flawless diamond possible that has good carat, cut and clarity in order to really shine and sparkle. Carat refers to the actual weight of the diamond. Each carat is equal to 0.2 grams and with a bit of practice it is easy to tell what general carat a diamond is.
Color actually refers to the lack of color within a diamond. For most engagement rings a G grade will mean that any slight colorations of the diamond are basically undetectable to the eye and the diamond will appear to be completely clear and colorless. Other options include a colored diamond or even diamond chips that have a very slight coloration of yellow. If the setting and band are gold, a very slight yellow coloration is often undetectable and can allow you to purchase a larger diamond for the same amount of money .
Diamonds for engagement rings should be free from external or internal marks, blemishes or bubble type formations. Inclusions inside the diamond will impact on reflection of light and damages to the surface will likewise detract from the appearance of the gem. Engagement rings that feature large solitaire diamonds should have the highest clarity since they are the focus of the ring. Slight imperfections are common in almost all but the most expensive diamonds and in small diamonds they are often so slight as to be virtually invisible. It is also important to choose ring settings that compliment a solitaire diamond rather than compete with the diamond.
Cut is not the same as shape when it comes to diamonds, although many people use the two terms somewhat interchangeably. Cut refers to the angles or facets within the diamond that reflect light, creating the fire seen in diamonds. If the facets are not correctly placed there is no sparkle or depth to the diamond. With a poor cut even the best color, clarity and carat diamonds will not look appealing in engagement ring settings .
Antique engagement rings and new rings are a great way to start trying out your diamond grading understanding. Older rings often feature very traditional shapes that are easier to work with. Once you get the hang of it you can then start looking at different settings or stick with traditional types of engagement rings .
Learning about engagement rings and diamonds is all part of being a smart consumer. Even if you are on a budget, finding good deals on engagement rings that feature the best possible diamonds isn’t difficult if you just take the time to understand the 4 c’s of diamond grading.
