Diamonds are a huge investment—whether it’s a piece of diamond jewelry or a diamond engagement ring—which is why it is so important to choose the right one. Before beginning your search for the perfect one, you should decide what quality and budget you’re looking for. While a perfect D color, Flawless diamond will be absolutely captivating, it’s also going to cost a pretty penny because the quality is so hard to come by. Although, there are some tricks to still picking a beautiful diamond without spending a fortune. For instance, when you choose a lab diamond you’re saving money and ecosystems because you’re not contributing to the ‘blood diamond’ trade. Learn all about diamond quality and the 4Cs to know which quality of a diamond is gorgeous and still affordable.
About Diamonds
Diamonds are the hardest substance on earth. They are remarkably captivating and are valued for their sentimental gesture. Today, diamonds come from two places: the earth, and a lab. Both of these types of diamonds are created in an environment of extremely high temperature and pressure. The main difference is one is created by natural forces, and one is created by man. Although this sounds like such a small difference, a lot of environmental devastation is caused by diamond mining- like habitat destruction, earth displacement and unethical labor practices. We could go on and on, trust us. Which is why choosing a lab diamond is the responsible thing to do. Apart from their differences, both mined diamonds and lab diamonds are made up of a crystallized carbon structure.
One of the biggest differences between the two- besides their origin- is cost comparison. Mined diamonds are falsely accused of being extremely rare, and because of that, diamond sellers price their stones above their true value. Alternatively, the new era of technology has allowed us to recreate these beautiful stones in a way that is much more cost effective. This results in lab diamonds priced around 30-50% less than comparable mined diamonds. Imagine what you could do as newlyweds with the money you save on a diamond engagement ring. A down payment of a home, your dream honeymoon. The sky is the limit when you choose the more affordable and equally captivating option.
Diamond Buying Tips
Since there are so many different aspects of the quality scale, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Although each of the 4Cs contribute to the overall quality of a diamond, there are some that can be focused more than others in order to save money while still getting a great quality diamond. Learn these diamond buying guide top tips to get you on your way to finding the perfect one.
Tip One: Choose a Slightly Smaller Carat Weight
There is a big jump in price from carat weights .9 and 1.0. Since carat weight measures the weight of a diamond and not the size, choosing a diamond that is just slightly under a whole or half carat weight will be much more cost effective and may not make a huge difference in the actual appearance of the stone.
Tip Two: Consider Specific Diamond Shapes
Round Brilliant is the most popular diamond shape because it has an Ideal facet pattern which results in the maximum amount of light return (which means they’re extremely sparkly). Since it is the only diamond shape that features this facet pattern, it is the most expensive. If you like the shape, but are willing to compromise slightly, consider other shapes like Oval and Cushion, which slightly resemble the silhouette of a Round Brilliant but are more modern and cost efficient.
While no one wants a diamond that has visible inclusions, some diamonds are much less expensive because they have blemishes or inclusions that are not visible to the untrained eye. Depending on where the inclusions live, they can also be hidden by the setting you choose. An example would be a small inclusion near the edge of a diamond being hidden by the metal of a bezel setting. This would save you a significant amount of money, while staying undetected during everyday wear.
Tip Four: Pick an Appropriate Setting
There are many different settings you can choose for an engagement ring. While some of them can be extremely dazzling- like a halo or three stone engagement ring– the amount of accents a setting features will affect the final cost. Simpler setting styles- like a classic or a milgraine detailed shank- can save you a lot while still being captivating.
Now that you know some of the most valuable diamond shopping tips, you are on your way to choosing the perfect one for an engagement ring or piece of fine jewelry. It will be an awe-inspiring moment when you finally find the perfect one. Lab diamonds are heirlooms that can be handed down for generations. As long as you know how to care for your diamond ring, it will stay stunning for years to come.