5 Tips on What To Look For When Buying Diamonds For Wedding Rings
A wedding, or an engagement in Homewood, 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 Homewood, 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 Homewood. 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 Homewood 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 Homewood for you engagement or wedding.
Homewood 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?
Homewood
Rubies are normally available in a really variety of colors. Many people understand regarding anemic diamonds as well as GIA's shade grading system that is used to identify a diamond's body shade ... you understand D, E, F, and so on. This shade grading system is only made use of to classify one of the most common ruby body color of yellow nonetheless anytime a diamond is discovered in one more color like pink, blue, green, etc.; then this diamond is described as a "" expensive ruby"".
Natural Fancy rubies could be very pricey as well as sometimes extra pricey than a similar size anemic diamond. A great example of a Fancy ruby is the notorious 45.52 carat weight elegant deep blue diamond, the Hope Diamond, which gets on display in the Smithsonian Nature Gallery in Washington, DC.
A color improved diamond is a 100% all-natural ruby that has had its color transformed. And also most importantly, color enhanced diamonds been available in an extremely wide option of colors at very inexpensive prices!
A bit of background- For many, years it has actually been well understood that a diamond's color can be "" enhanced"" by placing a little bit of tinted material on the surface area of a diamond and also much like magic ... a diamond that had a recognizable yellow-colored color would certainly alter to a more appealing near colorless ruby. Unfortunately, this sort of shade improved ruby might alter back to its initial body color if this tinted compound was inadvertently gotten rid of. In more recent years, the innovation of shade improved diamonds has gone exceptionally advanced. It is currently possible to totally change the shade of a diamond! These processes are considered permanent due to the fact that it does remain steady when subjected to daily normal conditions. The shade will not discolor if subjected to sunshine or be cleaned off by extreme chemicals.
Exactly how is it done? The wanted result of any of these therapies is to have an extra marketable ruby. A less marketable diamond would certainly be a diamond that has a reduced body color or in some cases a reduced clearness. The color enhanced ruby treatment business know if they begin with a particular kind of ruby and also process it for a specific quantity of time that they need to finish up with a specific color yet it does not always function by doing this. This is a scientific research that does need some art in their processes ... the only procedure that provides consistent outcomes is the covering procedure.
The 3 procedures are as adheres to- Process # 1- HPHT Color Boosted Diamonds- High Pressure/ Heat (HPHT) therapy could improve the shade of certain kinds of brown rubies and thus enhance their worth. General Electric has actually developed a process that virtually is a mechanical simulation of a diamond's creation in nature. The shade enhanced diamond will be warmed up to a really heat under an extremely high, supported stress. Mistakes in the crystal structure are then rearranged resulting in a modification of the diamond's shade. Due to the fact that the problems of HPHT are very just like ruby's initial development, just a well outfitted laboratory will certainly have the ability to positively identify this kind of shade improved ruby. HPHT wased initially utilized to transform yellowish diamonds right into even more marketable fancy colored improved diamonds, and now it is likewise utilized to transform some undesirable brown diamonds into better colorless colored enhanced diamonds.
Process # 2- Irradiated Color Boosted Diamonds- OK ... do not start getting all thrilled due to the fact that you saw words irradiated! This is a 100% safe procedure that is really much like what is utilized to protect food by revealing it to a stream of Gamma rays. The shade improved diamond process is carried out in numerous different means but the results are just the same. You begin with a low shade (P, Q, R, and so on) 100% all-natural diamond that has currently been cut and brightened, then it is revealed to a stream of fast electrons. Throughout this part of the process the ruby will transform to a very dark shade since several of the atoms in the diamond's crystal framework have actually currently been dislocated and also this in turn has actually affected the method light travel through the ruby. Next the diamond undergoes a regulated heating (annealing) process, this permits several of those atoms to relocate (partially repaired) in order to obtain a desired color.
Process # 3- Covered Color Enhanced Diamonds- The finish on polished diamonds describes a slim synthetic layer that alters the color of the diamond. The covering could either be of the desired shade or can create a tinted interference-effect. Regrettably occasionally this procedure is done to deceive a customer. It is a reasonably very easy procedure to carry out, it has been around for years (although the finishings products are a lot better currently), and it does not require a whole lot of pricey advanced devices. Just recently, I've seen some pink covered diamonds on the market, they are extremely attractive ... and certainly you would certainly need to purchase them knowing that they have actually been covered as well as follow your jeweler's guidelines concerning having as well as taking care of these shade improved diamonds. The covering can be applied to the whole of a ruby's surface, just all-time low of the diamond, or to a narrow zone near the band. A well-applied finish can change the shade by one or even more color quality. Some coverings can be gotten rid of through boiling in acid, strong cleaning solutions, and even home chemicals. Often dots or larger locations of purple or blue ink are paintinged on the diamond to assist neutralize a yellow-colored color. The ruby's setup will usually cover the dots, so they are hard to see in a mounted rock.
So, is a color boosted diamond right for you? Possibly ... all-natural expensive color diamonds can be beautiful yet they are costly! Shade enhanced diamonds are economical as well as permit many individuals to own a brilliantly colored ruby. Ask your regional jeweler if they have any Fancy rubies ... either natural or color enhanced diamonds. It is constantly intriguing, as well as enjoyable, to consider something different!
Under regular wear the irradiated and also HPHT color boosted diamonds will certainly have no troubles of the color fading away. The only factor to consider will be when you require to have any kind of sort of solution done on the piece of precious jewelry. If this kind of shade improved diamond is exposed to too much amounts of warmth it might influence the shade. The jewelry expert will require to understand that the diamond is a shade improved ruby prior to any type of job is done then the jewelry expert will have the ability to choose the most effective strategy. Color boosted diamonds are currently additionally used as the little accent diamonds around a bigger anemic diamond. There are several interesting items of fashion jewelry available with little blue, yellow, black, or green shade improved rubies.
Now that you understand about color enhanced rubies and somebody aims to sell you on just what they call a natural expensive colored ruby however it goes to an incredibly bargain cost ... you will certainly know that something simply does not appear ideal regarding the deal. A report from a reputable grading laboratory ought to accompany natural Fancy tinted diamonds that are marketed as all-natural. If you take care of a reliable business and also you have been guaranteed concerning what you are getting, then you will certainly lessen the possibility of something negative happening to you. As with any scenario involving an expensive purchase of something that few people are well versed in, education and learning ought to be a vital part of your strategy. This is also much more crucial if you plan to buy a shade improved ruby. Bud Boland has actually remained in the precious jewelry company for 40 years and has done every little thing from watchmaking, diamond setup, precious jewelry making, as well as has been a Jeweler for almost 35 years. He is a Grad Jeweler from GIA (Gemological Institute of The U.S.A.), which is likewise the area where he was a Teacher. He has actually instructed concerning diamonds to hundreds of trainees from throughout the globe
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