With engagement season almost upon us, we know there are quite a few soon-to-be fiances looking for advice on how to choose the perfect ring. We’re here to help! The first thing you need to know is your partner!
In order to choose the perfect setting, you’ll need to know their style- do they normally wear simple jewelry or do they prefer more luxurious accessories? Simple means your partner most likely love a beautiful single diamond solitaire. If they prefer luxurious, your partner will most likely prefer something with diamond accents. If you’re not sure, a safe bet is to purchase a single solitaire setting. After you hear that “Yes!” the two of you can go together to choose the perfect setting.
Now, how do you choose the perfect diamond? Remember the 4 C’s:
Cut
How the diamond is cut contributes to the sparkle and brilliance of the diamond. The scale ranges from Excellent to Poor. A diamond with a Good to Excellent cut is great for an engagement ring.
Clarity
As diamonds form deep in the Earth, pressure and heat sometimes cause blemishes or inclusions. These slight imperfections make your diamond unique, like birthmarks in humans. The scale ranges from Flawless (FL) to Included (I3). The closer the clarity is to I3, the more likely it is that the inclusions will affect the brilliance of the diamond. A good range to stay within is FL to VS2.
Color
When it comes to diamonds, the less color the better. The scale runs from D to Z. A diamond with a D rating is colorless. As the scale gets closer to Z, the color of the diamond starts to include yellows and browns. Overall, the closer to D it is, the better!
Carat
This refers to the weight or size of the diamond. Most diamonds used in jewelry weight 1 carat or less.
Quality and size both carry weight when purchasing a diamond. Rule of thumb: choose a diamond with the highest quality and weight that fits your budget.
***
