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How to Choose a Diamond?

When trying to choose the perfect diamond, many will concern themselves with the same few things. What shape should I get? How big? What quality? We call the this the 4 Ss. STYLE, SHAPE, SIZE (carat), SPARKLE (quality)

Step 1 - Determine your jewelry style:

Depending on the style, you will want to adjust the following information. If you are buying an engagement ring, quality will be more important. If you are buying earrings, for example, you can lower the clarity of the diamonds to around average clarity because no one will ever be that close. A diamond tennis bracelet is more noticeable than a pendant or a pair of earrings. Use your best judgment.

Step 2 - Determine your diamond shape:

Shape, Size and Sparkle is usually decided in that order. When it comes to choosing the shape, you should get the diamond shape she wants. Hints may have been dropped with off-hand remarks, or in- the-face hints in your email or texts. She may even have a Pinterest account. If you are doing this with no help at all, you may need to see what shapes there are. Diamonds have been cut into many different shapes for centuries.

Today's more popular diamond shapes are round, princess, cushion, oval, and emerald cut. Each one looks very different from another and can completely change the look of the ring. Once you think you have an idea of what shape you will be getting, you will then need to figure out how big the diamond should be. This may depend on a variety of issues, other than quality and budget. Will it be set with other diamonds or gemstones? Do not change your diamond shape if she has chosen one. It is the shape of the diamond that completes its beauty.

Step 3 – Determine your size:

When determining the size of the diamonds your biggest factor is your budget. Just to give you a range of what a one should be expecting to pay for average color and clarity diamond based on carat weight:

- 0.50 ct Round Diamond will be $700 to $1200

- 1 ct Round Diamond will be $2500 to $5500

- 2 ct Round Diamond will be $10,000 to $25,000

- 3 ct Round Diamond will be $18,000 to $35,000

The round diamonds on average are priced 20% more than any other shape of diamonds on the market. If you are looking to save 20%, great alternatives are cushion and oval diamonds. Cushion is diamond between round and princess, the best of both worlds.

It has the symmetry of a princess cut and round look of round diamond. Another great alternative is the oval diamond. It gives a large look to the engagement ring because most of the carat weight of oval diamond is located in upper part of diamond.

Step 4 – Determine your quality:From there you are now needing to know the 4 Cs. This is where you will need to take your time and compare diamond to diamond. The 4 Cs are specific characteristics that the diamond possesses and it is crucial to understand them. Without going into detail on the 4 Cs, here is the process that you will go through on that final step of discovering the quality of the diamond you are looking for.

When choosing that perfect diamond, cut is the reason why the shape you chose will sparkle. When discussing cut, we do not mean the shape of the diamond. All diamond shapes sparkle, although some shapes can sparkle more than others. Make sure that the diamond looks like it is the weight it should be. If they say it faces up like a 2ct but it is a 1.25ct, then the diamond is too flat and light will go through the bottom of the diamond. The cut is the only reason why diamonds will sparkle and is the most noticeable, even from a distance. Color is also noticeable from a distance.

Pick a diamond that has the color that will look good in the ring style you chose. The color of the diamond, as well as it's cut, is noticeable from a small distance. Next is the clarity or how clean the diamond appears to the naked eye or under magnification. Many people, when it comes to clarity, will pick a diamond that has no visible inclusions to the naked eye and not worry about how visible it is under magnification.

Step 5 - Choose a beautiful diamond

After all, the cut and color is visible from many feet away. But only clarity is graded up close and with magnification. Many first timer byers will try and get the best quality they can afford. This will greatly sacrifice carat weight. For example, a high end 1ct diamond may be the same price as an average 1.5-1.75ct with a great cut and sparkle. Your goal is to get a beautiful diamond and all too often, customers try and get as flawless as possible sacrificing the size or cut of the diamond.