5 Tips on What To Look For When Buying Diamonds For Wedding Rings
A wedding, or an engagement in Centreville, is one of the most important events in every couple’s life. One of the best ways of making the experience memorable is by choosing the right ring to symbolize the love you have for one another. While most couples would like to get the most beautiful ring they can lay their hands on, budgetary restrictions can be a challenge. However, it is possible to find an ideal ring based on your budget.
For anyone looking for precious diamonds for engagement rings and wedding rings in Centreville, they should consider going about the process carefully. There are various dealers in the market, some of who may sell you fake diamonds. Here are a few useful tips on what to look for when looking for precious diamonds for engagement or wedding rings.
Consider the Diamond Cut
1. Any expert will tell you that the cut is the most important thing to consider when buying diamonds in Centreville. The main reason behind this is that the cut usually influences the sparkle. A diamond may be clear and feature a high quality color grade, but if the cut is poor, it may still appear dull. The dealer you buy from should be able to cut your diamond in the proper proportions. If your budget can allow it, choose a diamond with the highest cut grade.
Diamond Color
2. Contrary to common belief, lack of color in your diamonds denotes a higher color grade. Some people go for pale yellow diamond, without knowing that it is low quality. To avoid such an experience, ask the diamond dealer to give you grade H or higher. Near colorless diamond ranges from grade G to J, but it may be quite expensive.
Clarity Diamonds can also be chosen based on their clarity levels.
3. This is usually not a very important factor to consider, considering that the precious stones usually come with imperfections, known as inclusions. These tiny imperfections may not be easy to detect, and they may only be seen through a microscope. However, the fewer there are, the higher the clarity grade of your diamonds. If your budget can be stretched further, consider buying grade VS1 grade or higher.
Consider the Diamond’s Carat Weight
4. Unlike common belief, carat does not mean the size of the diamond, but its actual weight. Carat and cut must be considered side by side, because no matter the size of the diamond, a poor cut grade can make your precious stones look smaller. Another important fact to keep in mind is that the more the weight of the diamond, the more you will pay for it. Therefore, you should consider going for a less heavy stone with a high grade cut.
Ask for Proof of Certification
5. There is nothing as unfortunate as buying diamonds for your special event only to realize that they are of poor quality, or that they were stolen. To avoid such an eventuality, always ask the dealer in Centreville to show you the copy of diamond certification.
With these tips, you should be able to make the right choice when buying precious diamonds in Centreville for you engagement or wedding.
Centreville How to Buy a Diamond And The 4 Biggest Mistakes When Buying a Diamond
In an ideal world with unlimited budgets and an infinite supply of diamonds, everyone would have beautifully cut "D Flawless" diamonds. In the real world every diamond is unique. There are plenty of gorgeous diamonds to go around - you just need to know how to find one. Choosing a diamond is about balancing several factors to make the most of your budget. Each factor contributes to the beauty and prestige of your diamond. I will explain these factors so you will be prepared to make an informed decision about your diamond purchase.
FACTOR 1: CARAT WEIGHT
People often use the word Carat when discussing how big a diamond is, however "Carat" actually refers to the weight of a diamond. There is no rule as to what carat weight you should buy, but you'll doubtless have heard that "bigger is better." If you ask me, I think bigger is great but you shouldn't forget about the other aspects of a diamond's quality.
A useful tip: if you're looking at Certified Diamonds, you may find it valuable to compare the diameters of different diamonds. Since every diamond is individually cut, some may appear larger than others of the same weight.
FACTOR 2: SHAPE
Approximately 75% of diamonds sold worldwide are Round Brilliants. Rounds diamonds are the most popular, most brilliant, and most expensive. If you are purchasing a diamond as a surprise, Round Brilliant is generally your safest bet.
There is no real hierarchy of shapes being better or worse - it is truly a matter of personal preference. Princess Cuts are the second most popular, and a classic alternative to round diamonds. Cushion Cuts are trendy and have a beautiful vintage look. If you want something different but not too crazy, try an Oval Cut, Asscher Cut, or Radiant Cut diamond.
While no shape is better, there are some significant differences between shapes. Take for example, the radiant cut vs the emerald cut. Though they are a similar shape, the extra facets of the radiant cut give it additional fire and sparkle. If you prefer the emerald cut's understated elegance, consider that it's easier to spot any imperfections and select a higher clarity grade.
Another tip: Diamonds (even round diamonds) may not be perfectly symmetrical. It's nothing to worry about if your diamond's width does not precisely match its height, but if your diamond is much longer than it is wide it may not be what you're expecting. This is especially the case in shapes like Cushion and Oval, where a more asymmetrical diamond might look "skinny", with much of the fire and brilliance concentrated at the ends.
FACTOR 3: CUT
"Cut" refers to a diamond's finish and proportions, and is critical in determining its beauty. Getting the angles right ensures a beautiful diamond that's full of life. In many cases it can be more difficult to spot flaws in a fiery, brilliant diamond. Cut is generally graded in five categories: Poor, Fair, Good, Very Good, and Excellent. Excellent is the highest graded awarded by GIA (whereas other labs may use terms like "ideal" or numbers like "0"). If you want to play safe, stick to "Very Good" and "Excellent" cuts when you choose your diamond.
FACTOR 4: CLARITY
Almost all diamonds have naturally¬ occurring features called "inclusions." Inclusions form as the diamond crystallizes deep underground, and they are unique to each diamond. They take many different forms, and can help you identify a diamond as your own. However, large and prominent inclusions can detract from the beauty of a diamond.
There are many different types of inclusions, and not all are created equal. If your diamond certificate has an "inclusion map," check where the inclusions are. Try to find a diamond with inclusions near the edge where they will be masked by sparkle or hidden by the setting of your diamond. If your budget is limited, I recommend buying "SI" clarity or better. "SI" stands for "Slightly Included." With close inspection you can usually spot the inclusions in an SI¬ graded diamond, but these inclusions will most likely not be visible once your diamond is set in jewellery. If you want to be sure your diamond will look "eye clean", even up close, I recommend selecting a VS2 clarity diamond or better. "VS" stands for "Very Slight Inclusion," and imperfections in VS clarity stones are rarely seen by the naked eye.
FACTOR 5: COLOUR
The term "colour" usually refers to how much warm tint is in a diamond. The scale ranges from D (colorless) to Z (very strongly tinted yellow or brown). Pure white diamonds are considered more desirable, and are more expensive. Warmer¬-hued diamonds (such as K, L, and M) are not necessarily less attractive, but they are significantly less valuable.
Conventional wisdom is to select J colour or better. Personally, I love G and H colour diamonds ¬- they hit the "sweet spot" where most people will not notice colour in the diamond unless they're doing a direct comparison. However, an I or J colour diamond that is well cut and has a lot of life can give you a beautiful diamond at a bargain price.
Depending on how they are cut, different diamonds will display colour differently. This is why colour grades are assigned by looking at a diamond upside¬down. Generally, more¬ brilliant diamonds show their colour less than less brilliant diamonds.
FACTOR 6: FLUORESCENCE
Fluorescence has a bad rep, and most of it is unfair. Diamond Fluorescence refers to how a diamond responds when subjected to ultra¬violet light. Fluorescent diamonds can glow any one of several colours, but the most common is blue. In rare cases fluorescence can cause your diamond to have a milky appearance when viewed in direct daylight. This is most often the case with strong or very strong fluorescence and D/E/F colour diamonds.
However, there are many, many more cases where blue fluorescence is a positive thing. Imagine you were shining a blue light on a yellow diamond... the blue tint can make your diamond look whiter. If your diamond falls in the "near colourless," "lightly tinted," or "tinted" range I recommend looking for medium blue or faint blue fluorescence.
Warning: Green, red, and yellow fluorescence are rare, and they will not have the same benefit. If you are interested in a diamond that has strong blue, very strong blue, green, red, or yellow fluorescence, I recommend asking your salesperson to show you your diamond outside in natural daylight. If you're buying online, contact the seller prior to making your purchase so they can examine the diamond first in natural daylight.
FACTOR 7: GRADER
This should always be your first question: Says who? Every diamond grading laboratory has different standards, so comparing diamonds graded by different sources is extremely unreliable. One grader might grade a diamond K SI2, and another might call that same diamond F VS2. I know that sounds crazy, but I see it happen all the time.
The most reputable and consistent grading laboratories are GIA, AGS, IGI, and HRD. GIA is considered the global standard worldwide. AGS is a popular alternative in the U.S.A. while IGI and HRD are more common in Europe.
EGL is tricky because there are EGL labs all over the world, and some of them do a great job while others can be less reliable. We strongly recommend caution when buying an EGL certified diamond unless it's from EGL-¬USA.
Many diamonds are assigned grades by valuation companies and in-¬house graders. If your diamond does not come with a report from a major laboratory, you should always ask where the grader trained. He or she should be certified by a major grading laboratory: GIA, AGS, IGI, or HRD. Be smart and be cautious about reports done by uncertified shop owners, salespeople, or valuation companies.
SELECTING YOUR DIAMOND
You can choose to purchase your diamond online, or from a retail store. If you prefer to purchase your diamond in a retail store, avoid the big chains and shop with smaller independent jewellers. Many independent jewellers are actually significantly less expensive than their large competitors. (You don't have to take my word for it - shop around and you'll quickly learn that this is true). This way you'll buy a better quality diamond and - if you wish - you'll have the opportunity to design your own hand-made engagement ring setting.
If you choose to shop online, I would recommend comparing prices and service across several websites. Be sure that the company ships from your country - otherwise you'll be hit with expensive duty and GST. Always make sure you call or e-mail customer service and have them hand-inspect your diamond before you complete your purchase. Sometimes a diamond may seem like a great deal, but it could have an unfortunate inclusion, asymmetrical cut, or be negatively impacted by fluoresence. And above all, make sure you have an easy and affordable way to return the diamond if it doesn't turn out as you'd hoped. Online shopping is the best way to get a great deal on a diamond for your engagement ring, diamond studs, or pendant - just review this article, be reasonably cautious, and have fun.
Getting Diamonds Online - Is This Online Jewelry Expert Right For You?
Centreville
Not all sellers supply ruby grading lab records (also known as ruby high quality records) to their customers. So my basic guidance to you is to keep your money in your pocket when dealing with such jewelers.
Just purchase a diamond involvement ring if it features the original ruby quality record.
A lab record is an independent assessment of the 4Cs of a loose ruby and includes an outlined layout of the stone's clarity attributes as well as a visuals representation of the stone's percentages. Having such a report permits you to compare diamonds of various top qualities as well as inevitably helps you make a more informed purchasing choice.
A merchant could reduce edges and not provide a lab report or an unscrupulous seller could supply a fake one as a result of the time, trouble and also expense he'll birth to obtaining a stone rated.
Yeah - there is a price for grading a ruby (though that cost is ultimately paid by the customer), plus the shipping and also insurance policy costs for sending the diamond to the laboratory. As well as let us not fail to remember the chance price of a jeweler not having the diamond in his shop up for sale for a couple of weeks while the grading occurs.
Nevertheless, a ruby rating record might additionally not be offered because the expenses to obtaining one may influence too greatly on the last cost of the ring. For example, a 0.3 ct ruby ring setting you back $250 state, may cost around $75 to be graded and have the record number engraved on the girdle on the ruby. As you look for that ideal ruby involvement ring for your sweetheart, you'll discover that there is a hodgepodge of laboratories declaring to offer respectable ruby rating reports. Yet I would just put my cash on ...
The Premier Diamond Grading Lab News
Yes, all ruby quality records are not produced equal. Within the industry, it is an agreement that both premier labs are GIA-GTL (Gemological Institute of The U.S.A.'s Gem Trade Lab) and also the AGS (American Treasure Culture Laboratories).
The GCAL (Treasure Accreditation and Guarantee Lab) also supplies very pertained to records or "ruby certifications" as they are described by GCAL. The GIA has the strongest global reputation for self-reliance as well as uniformity. Due to their consistent color and quality strictness guidelines, the world's largest as well as most expensive diamonds have been sent out there for rating years. In 2006, GIA-GTL added a two-dimensional cut grading system for rounded brilliant rubies.
AGS utilizes the most strict cut requirements in the industry. It utilizes a three-dimensional light efficiency metric that can quality numerous ruby forms. As a matter of fact, it is the only cut grading system that is recognized by the scientific neighborhood.
What is more, its Diamond Top quality Paper makes use of an one-of-a-kind and proprietary 0 to 10 grading system to evaluate the 4 Cs - a system which is less complicated to comprehend compared to GIA's grading system. As a matter of fact, AGS also goes the additional action by relating their 0-10 rating scale to other forms of score. As an example, the standard VS1 diamond clearness score is a 3 on the AGS Diamond Top Quality Record.
Ruby Reporting - The Drawbacks
1. Ruby grading is not standardized or controlled and for this reason you might find rate 2 labs that employ looser guidelines to the rate 1 grading laboratories pointed out over. If you buy a diamond that has been graded by a tier 2 lab, you could wind up paying more for a lesser high quality ruby. So as an example, a diamond ranked a "F" in color at a tier 2 lab could obtain a G, H, or lower shade score at a much more trustworthy laboratory. The market also marks down rubies rated by minimal known laboratories by about 15-30% or more. So either you just buy a diamond graded by a rate 1 laboratory or you approve that you could be acquiring a lower top quality ruby compared to exactly what is mentioned on the report if that ruby is rated by a minimal known lab.
2. Many huge store have big contracts with lower known labs with "softer" ruby grading guidelines. Several of these softer labs put "recommended substitute worths" on the lab reports - worths which are greater than just what shops intends sell the rubies for. So a salesman in a store might claim to you, "Take a look at the good deal you are getting here. We are offering you this diamond interaction ring for $2500 but the record says that the recommended replacement value is $4000." Wow - what a deal - NOT! This is why it is better that you trust just independent rate 1 labs.
Likewise remember that reputable ruby grading records are not assessments and also do not supply assessment figures. Diamond evaluations are usually grossly filled with air as well as are not something you'll wish to count on.
3. Ruby reports are riddled with disclaimers that specify that absolutely nothing is "accredited" or guaranteed and also that the labs are not responsible for mistakes. In truth, the GIA supplies a disclaimer of kinds on their site pertaining to the usage of words "accredit." The internet site says:
"It is inaccurate to state that pupils, grads, their services, or specific gemstones are "accredited" by GIA. The Gemological Institute of The U.S.A. does not license anybody or anything. Neither a trainee neither a grad who has been granted a certification or diploma, neither a treasure which has been graded or identified by GIA has actually been licensed by GIA".
So it is possible that you the customer is left holding the bag ought to a mistake in a record is later on found. Courts have actually frequently ruled that sellers, not laboratories, are in charge of such mistakes. Why? Since the labs indicated beforehand that their records couldn't be held responsible.
Luckily, there are a couple ways to offer on your own more purchaser defense:
A. You could fly to India where jewelry experts provide a lifetime buyback policy to their customers. As well costly to fly?
B. You can discover one of the 20% of US jewelry experts who market completely bonded rubies. These are diamonds that are offered with lifetime damage, lifetime trade-in as well as life time buyback plans.
C. Not as excellent a treatment as purchasing a fully bound ruby yet you can buy a diamond that has a real "certificate" and also not a record. "Licensed rubies do have guaranties" albeit for shorter periods.
Accreditation Some vendors refer to a "ruby report" as a "certified diamond" yet practically this is not correct. From a legal point ofview, a diamond report is a just an expert point of view though in reality, elements of a diamond rating report are not just viewpoints.
For instance, a ruby's carat weight (weight) could be precisely figured out along with its cut grade by gauging its optical efficiency or by referring to a computer design. A certificate on the other hand is a statement of fact - a record for which the provider accepts lawful responsibility as well as will make restitution to the consumer for mistakes.
Some leading diamond grading labs supply both records and certifications. AGS provides Ruby High quality Papers (non-certified reports) and likewise Diamond Quality Certificates. Diamond Top quality Certificates are prepared specifically for AGS retail jewelers and offers guaranties from participating American Gem Society member stores.
GCAL certifies it's diamond grading additionally. Its 100% money-back warranty plan is valid for a period of 2 years from the date on the suitable certification. This policy ensures the precision of the cut, shade and also clarity qualities and also the carat weight.
A report or certification should will certainly have a number on it that may or may not be etched on a diamond. You will have the ability to go into that number on the site of the accrediting lab to examine a record's credibility.
Aspects Of A Diamond Grading Record Diamond rating records are constantly evolving but particular aspect needs to remain the very same. For example, the:
The Report #. This number is given and also videotaped in a lab's record as well as could or might not be etched on a ruby's band. You can go into the report number on a rating laboratory's web site to inspect the credibility of the diamond quality record or to obtain more info about the ruby. Forming & Aspect Style: This is the overview as well as the cutting style used for the element setup. There are 3 fundamental facet designs - "brilliant cut, action cut and mixed cutting design" and also 12 basic forms which include notables such as round dazzling as well as princess cut" rubies.
Dimensions: This describes dimension (not weight) of a ruby. Size consists of measurements such as size, size, weight and size. A measurement is typically provided to the hundredth of a millimeter. Measurements play a massive role in how a ruby shines.
Carat weight Weight: The weight of a ruby is measured to the hundredth of a carat and also some even supply such procedure to the thousandth of a carat weight (1.123 ct.). Carat weight is the most objective and also the most convenient to understand of the 4Cs due to the fact that all one has to do is weight the stone. Shade Grade: This tells you the level of shade absence in the diamond. The much less shade the greater the grade.
Rubies are typically rated from D-Z; the closer to "D" the whiter the ruby. You must never see diamond color variety such as (G-H, I-J-K, and more) on a ruby record. You need to only see color varieties on appraisals for rocks that are placed.
Quality Grade: Basically every ruby has interior blemishes called incorporations as well as outside imperfections called acnes. A diamond is rated according to the dimension, kind, location as well as quantity of these problems.
Clarity qualities range from Perfect (FL) - Consisted Of. Labs use a couple professionals to quality the clarity of a ruby in order to come up with a much more exact analysis.
Cut Quality: Extra current ruby reports consist of a cut grade for basic round great diamonds. Cut thinks about the brilliance, fire and also scintillation of the ruby. Cut grade varies from Outstanding - Poor.
Other aspects you may find on a ruby report consist of the polish, proportion, fluorescence as well as percentage. Equipped with this info, you are better able making an assessment of the top quality of ruby that is mounted in an interaction ring.
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