Diamond Shape

Choosing the right diamond is an important task, particularly if that diamond is one that will be worn all the time, like an engagement ring. The last thing you want is to look down everyday and notice a yellow tone, black spots or a lack of sparkle. That’s why we’ve put together a guide to the things you need to bear in mind when choosing that perfect stone.

HOW TO CHOOSE A DIAMOND FOR AN ENGAGEMENT

An engagement ring is a particularly special investment as it’s something that in principle, will be kept forever. Choosing the perfect diamond involves selecting your shape and the highest-quality options from the 4Cs (cut, colour, clarity and carat weight) that work within your budget.

FOR EVERYDAY WEAR

Like with an engagement ring, if you are purchasing a piece of jewelry to be worn everyday, it’s important to get it right. The same rules apply, however with diamonds for everyday wear the focus will unlikely be on one centrepiece stone, meaning there can be a little more give in terms of quality.

Whether it be earrings, a necklace or bracelet, everyday designs often feature a line or cluster of smaller stones. This means that small inclusions, for example, are less visible and it will still appear relatively bright even at average clarity.

TESTING AND CERTIFICATION

When buying diamond jewelry it is very important to have the correct certification, this will verify that the diamond is up to scratch.

Diamond certificates are issued by accredited gemological laboratories, like the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and International Gemological Institute (IGI). This report will contain information about a diamond's characteristics based on an expert's scrutiny of the 4Cs, for example, its carat weight, colour, clarity, and cut. Professional tools, such as a loupe or microscope will be used during this process. Its final grade significantly impacts the diamond’s price.

Not all diamond certifications are equal. Some labs are loose and inconsistent in their grading methods so it’s very important that you purchase a diamond with one from a highly reputable source (like the GIA and IGI).

PRICE AND VALUE COMPARISON

Most of the 4 C’s of diamonds have a sweet spot where beauty and value meetup. For example, at the top grading levels an increase in grade is not going to offer a noticeable difference in beauty to the naked eye. Generally, the lower down in any of the 4C scales, the more noticeable the difference in appearance and the bigger in grading disparity, as well as price

BAND SIZE AND SETTING

Settings can make a diamond appear larger, for example the halo has a ring of smaller diamonds around the central stone and the ratio creates the illusion of a larger diamond.

A thinner band can also create a perspective that makes the central stone seem much larger. Usually a pavé band, featuring small embedded diamonds can have this effect.

LAB GROWN VS MINED

Lab grown and mined diamonds are graded in exactly the same way, meaning they have both been through the same rigorous process of quality assurance.

The origin of mined diamonds however, are practically untraceable. They are often passed unethically through multiple hands before they reach you. In comparison, lab grown diamonds are grown in a controlled and ethical environment, with a fully traceable origin. This means that for the same assurance of quality, you can also have a diamond that is guilt-free.