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A diamond is a great gift to express love and commitment. When we speak of special days, we could mean anything- an important birthday, a milestone anniversary, etc. But the diamond is most commonly associated with an engagement. This special day deserves a special stone. And a diamond is certainly special. If you’re wondering about how to choose a diamond ring for your special day, you need to start with the basics.
The cut is the way in which the facets on the surface of the diamond are created. These facets catch the light and provide the diamond with one of its most noticeable qualities- brilliance. If you think a diamond looks like it’s got fire inside of it, the cut is what’s creating the impression. No matter the size of the stone, if a diamond is cut well, it will shine and give an impression of being a stone of good proportions. If it’s not, then the reverse happens- even a large stone looks dull and lifeless. So when you are deciding on the stone, make sure it’s cut well and glitters. If you’d like, request the shop personnel to carry the stone outside the establishment to see it in natural light.
Since a diamond engagement ring will be exclaimed upon a lot and examined closely, you might want to think long and hard about the second C- carat. The larger the carat, the larger the stone. This is easier said than done; large sized stones aren’t easily available in nature and their rarity makes them more expensive. A trick to keep prices low is to choose a stone.
The most important aspect of a diamond is the cut that’s just a shade under a round number you may have in mind. You’ll be surprised by how many zeros are taken away when a point or two is taken out of the equation.
You’ll also need to think about the clarity of the stone. Again, the highest purity stone has no flaws at all. Perfection costs a lot of money. Instead of breaking the bank in your quest for a flawless diamond, look for something that is ‘eye-clean.’ This term refers to a diamond that has negligible flaws and inclusions and therefore cannot be seen by the naked eye. This kind of clarity is visually appealing and no one really can tell the difference. Or, you might want an inclusion of two for that distinct personal touch. Your diamond will be like none else. There is a practical reason why cracks aren’t safe- they may weaken the structure of the diamond, making it more prone to breaking and cracking. You want to make sure that even if there are inclusions, they do not compromise the overall strength of the stone.
Color is the next of the 4 Cs. Depending on your partner’s preference, you may want a bit of color in the diamond. But the simplest and safest choice is the colorless stone. It’s easy to set it with other stones, it can be resold for great value and it’s versatile. Think about this and then figure out if you want browns, yellows or even a pale grey, as your color choice. Black diamonds are fast gaining popularity and may be an ideal choice for the avant-garde bride.
If you want to ensure that all these 4 Cs are met to your expectations, you could consider a lab-manufactured diamond. They are of the exact composition as the ones present in nature and what’s more they can be tailor-made to your specifications. Since almost all material has carbon, create your diamond with your own raw materials- a photograph, something sentimental and meaningful to both you and your partner, anything that holds value to you. Your diamond will carry so much more meaning than one that’s just store bought.
You’ll also want to think about the shape of the diamond. The most common is the brilliant- the round shape that adorns many a diamond ring. You may also like the princess cut, which is square in most cases, but rectangular in many other cases. The princess cut, because of the way it is, has much less wastage than the round cut, making it a less expensive, more impressive choice. You could also choose the distinctively shaped marquise cut, tapered at the edges and broad in the middle. Make sure the stone you choose is well protected and kept in place with prongs. You don’t want a chipped diamond with just a little use.
A ring is not just about the diamond, but also about the metal the ring is made of. A diamond needs something everlasting to carry it for years. The best choice is yellow gold- it maintains its luster, unlike platinum, but it does become worn out with use. You might need to remake the ring in a few years. Platinum is a high value metal but its shine dulls and is hard to recover. Pink, and white gold are other choices. Remember it has to go with the wedding band as well.
Tying all this together is the key element- the cost of the exercise. While you might be tempted to spend a whole lot of money on getting the exact stone, the best quality and the biggest size, do think about how much you want to spend on the stone. Do keep in mind that the diamond is not the only thing you’ll spend money on. There will be the wedding and the expenses to set the house. A diamond has value because the person who gifts it, matters. So spend what you are comfortable with. You always have a choice of going in for a bigger diamond at a later point of time.
None of this will work if you do not take your partner’s personality and tastes into consideration. Keep them in mind when you decide- is she a traditionalist? Is she trendy and hip? Is she into sports and the outdoors? There is also the practical consideration of the size of the ring, and whether you want to take your partner to the store or spring the ring as a surprise. Do look at every aspect and then buy.
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