5 Tips on What To Look For When Buying Diamonds For Wedding Rings
A wedding, or an engagement in Calistoga, 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 Calistoga, 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 Calistoga. 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 Calistoga 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 Calistoga for you engagement or wedding.
Calistoga 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.
The Big 4 Cs For Loose Diamonds
Calistoga
Diamonds are naturally offered in a very large array of colors. Many people find out about colorless rubies and GIA's color grading system that is used to identify a ruby's body shade ... you know D, E, F, etc. This color grading system is just used to identify one of the most usual ruby body color of yellow nevertheless anytime a ruby is discovered in one more shade like pink, blue, environment-friendly, and so on; after that this ruby is referred to as a "" fancy diamond"".
All-natural Fancy rubies can be extremely pricey as well as lot of times more expensive compared to a comparable size colorless diamond. A really good example of a Fancy ruby is the notorious 45.52 carat fancy deep blue diamond, the Hope Ruby, which gets on screen in the Smithsonian Natural Background Gallery in Washington, DC.
A color improved diamond is a 100% all-natural diamond that has had its color transformed. As well as best of all, shade boosted diamonds been available in a really broad choice of colors at extremely budget friendly costs!
A little bit of background- For numerous, several years it has been popular that a ruby's color might be "" enhanced"" by putting a bit of tinted substance on the surface area of a diamond as well as much like magic ... a diamond that had a recognizable yellow-colored color would alter to a much more attractive near anemic ruby. However, this kind of color improved diamond can alter back to its initial body shade if this colored substance was inadvertently eliminated. In even more current years, the innovation of color improved rubies has gone exceptionally high tech. It is now feasible to completely transform the shade of a ruby! These procedures are thought about long-term since it does remain secure when exposed to day-to-day regular problems. The color will not discolor if revealed to sunshine or be washed off by severe chemicals.
Exactly how is it done? The wanted outcome of any one of these therapies is to have an extra valuable diamond. A less valuable diamond would be a ruby that has a low body shade or occasionally a reduced quality. The shade boosted ruby therapy firms recognize if they begin with a specific sort of diamond as well as procedure it for a certain amount of time that they ought to end up with a particular color yet it does not always function that means. This is a scientific research that does call for some art in their processes ... the only procedure that provides regular outcomes is the coating procedure.
The 3 procedures are as complies with- Process # 1- HPHT Color Boosted Diamonds- High Pressure/ Heat (HPHT) therapy could enhance the color of specific sorts of brownish rubies and also therefore raise their worth. General Electric has actually developed a process that practically is a mechanical simulation of a diamond's development in nature. The shade enhanced ruby will be warmed up to a very heat under a really high, supported stress. Faults in the crystal framework are after that rearranged leading to a modification of the ruby's shade. Since the problems of HPHT are extremely comparable to diamond's original development, just a well outfitted laboratory will certainly have the ability to positively identify this kind of shade boosted diamond. HPHT was first utilized to turn yellow-colored rubies into more valuable fancy colored enhanced diamonds, now it is additionally utilized to change some unpopular brownish rubies right into better anemic tinted enhanced diamonds.
Process # 2- Irradiated Shade Enhanced Diamonds- OK ... do not start obtaining all excited since you saw words irradiated! This is a 100% safe procedure that is very much like just what is made use of to preserve food by subjecting it to a stream of Gamma rays. The color boosted diamond procedure is performed in numerous different means yet the outcomes are just the same. You start with a reduced shade (P, Q, R, etc.) 100% natural ruby that has actually already been cut and polished, then it is revealed to a stream of rapid electrons. Throughout this part of the procedure the ruby will certainly rely on a very dark shade because a few of the atoms in the ruby's crystal structure have now been disjointed and also this consequently has affected the method light passes with the ruby. Next the diamond goes through a controlled heating (annealing) process, this enables a few of those atoms to transfer (partly fixed) in order to acquire a preferred color.
Process # 3- Coated Color Improved Diamonds- The finishing on sleek diamonds describes a thin artificial layer that modifies the color of the ruby. The layer can either be of the wanted shade or could cause a colored interference-effect. Sadly in some cases this process is done to deceive a purchaser. It is a reasonably simple procedure to carry out, it has been around for years (although the finishes products are much better now), and also it does not need a whole lot of costly advanced tools. Lately, I've seen some pink coated diamonds on the market, they are extremely eye-catching ... as well as naturally you would have to purchase them recognizing that they have been coated and follow your jewelry expert's guidelines about owning as well as looking after these shade enhanced rubies. The covering can be applied to the entire of a diamond's surface, just all-time low of the diamond, or to a slim zone near the band. A well-applied layer could alter the shade by several color quality. Some coatings can be removed through steaming in acid, solid cleansing options, or also house chemicals. Often dots or bigger locations of purple or blue ink are paintinged on the diamond to assist neutralize a yellow-colored color. The ruby's setup will normally cover the dots, so they are challenging to see in a placed stone.
So, is a color improved ruby right for you? Possibly ... all-natural expensive color diamonds can be attractive however they are pricey! Shade boosted rubies are cost effective and allow many individuals to have a brilliantly tinted ruby. Ask your neighborhood jeweler if they have any type of Fancy diamonds ... either natural or color boosted rubies. It is always intriguing, and also fun, to look at something different!
Under regular wear the irradiated and also HPHT color enhanced rubies will have no worry of the color fading away. The only factor to consider will be when you need to have any type of kind of service done on the piece of fashion jewelry. If this kind of shade boosted ruby is exposed to excessive quantities of warm it could impact the shade. The jewelry expert will certainly require to understand that the ruby is a color boosted diamond before any type of job is done then the jeweler will have the ability to choose the best strategy. Color improved diamonds are currently also used as the little accent diamonds around a bigger anemic ruby. There are numerous amazing pieces of precious jewelry available with small blue, yellow, black, or eco-friendly shade improved rubies.
Since you learn about shade enhanced diamonds and someone attempts to offer you on exactly what they call a natural fancy colored diamond however it is at a super deal rate ... you will certainly recognize that something just does not sound ideal regarding the offer. A report from a recognized grading laboratory must go along with all all-natural Fancy colored rubies that are marketed as natural. If you manage a respectable company and also you have actually been comforted about exactly what you are acquiring, then you will certainly minimize the opportunity of something bad occurring to you. As with any type of scenario entailing an expensive purchase of something that not numerous individuals are experienceded in, education and learning needs to be a vital component of your strategy. This is much more important if you plan to acquire a color enhanced ruby. Bud Boland has remained in the precious jewelry business for 40 years and also has done every little thing from watchmaking, ruby setup, jewelry making, as well as has been a Gemologist for virtually 35 years. He is a Graduate Gemologist from GIA (Gemological Institute of The U.S.A.), which is additionally the area where he was a Trainer. He has shown about rubies to thousands of students from around the globe
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