5 Tips on What To Look For When Buying Diamonds For Wedding Rings
A wedding, or an engagement in Belvedere Tiburon, 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 Belvedere Tiburon, 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 Belvedere Tiburon. 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 Belvedere Tiburon 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 Belvedere Tiburon for you engagement or wedding.
Belvedere Tiburon 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.
Clarity Improved Diamonds - Some Points You Should Know!
Belvedere Tiburon
Not all sellers supply ruby grading laboratory reports (aka diamond high quality reports) to their consumers. So my general advice to you is to keep your loan in your pocket when taking care of such jewelers.
Just purchase a ruby engagement ring if it has the original diamond high quality report.
A laboratory report is an independent assessment of the 4Cs of a loosened diamond and also includes a plotted layout of the stone's clearness qualities and also a graphic representation of the rock's percentages. Having such a record enables you to compare diamonds of various top qualities and also ultimately aids you make a more educated buying decision.
A retailer could reduce corners as well as not supply a lab report or an unscrupulous seller may offer a phony one due to the moment, problem and also expense he'll birth to obtaining a stone rated.
Yeah - there is a rate for rating a ruby (though that cost is at some point paid by the consumer), plus the shipping as well as insurance coverage fees for sending out the diamond to the laboratory. As well as allow us not fail to remember the opportunity cost of a jewelry expert not having the diamond in his store to buy for a couple of weeks while the grading occurs.
However, a diamond rating record could likewise not be offered due to the fact that the expenses to getting one might affect as well heavily on the final cost of the ring. For instance, a 0.3 ct ruby ring setting you back $250 state, could set you back around $75 to be rated and also have the report number inscribed on the girdle on the ruby. As you look for that suitable diamond engagement ring for your sweetheart, you'll find that there is a hodgepodge of laboratories claiming to offer credible diamond grading reports. However I would only put my cash on ...
The Premier Ruby Grading Lab Information
Yes, all ruby quality records are not developed equal. Within the market, it is a consensus that both leading laboratories are GIA-GTL (Gemological Institute of The U.S.A.'s Treasure Profession Lab) as well as the AGS (American Treasure Culture Laboratories).
The GCAL (Gem Accreditation and Assurance Lab) also offers extremely concerned reports or "diamond certifications" as they are referred to by GCAL. The GIA has the best international online reputation for independence as well as uniformity. Because of their continuous shade as well as clarity strictness standards, the globe's largest and most expensive diamonds have been sent there for grading years. In 2006, GIA-GTL added a two-dimensional cut grading system for rounded dazzling diamonds.
AGS uses the most strict cut standards in the industry. It uses a three-dimensional light performance metric that could grade a number of ruby forms. As a matter of fact, it is the only cut grading system that is recognized by the clinical community.
Just what is more, its Ruby Top quality Record makes use of an one-of-a-kind and also proprietary 0 to 10 grading system to assess the 4 Cs - a system which is less complicated to understand compared to GIA's grading system. As a matter of fact, AGS even goes the extra step by relating their 0-10 ranking range to various other kinds of ranking. As an example, the traditional VS1 diamond quality rating is a 3 on the AGS Diamond Top Quality File.
Ruby Coverage - The Drawbacks
1. Ruby grading is not standardized or regulated and therefore you may stumble upon tier 2 labs that utilize looser guidelines to the tier 1 grading laboratories pointed out over. If you get a diamond that has been graded by a tier 2 laboratory, you may finish up paying much more for a lesser high quality ruby. So for instance, a ruby ranked a "F" in shade at a tier 2 lab could get a G, H, or lower color ranking at an extra credible lab. The industry also marks down diamonds graded by lower recognized laboratories by regarding 15-30% or more. So either you just acquire a diamond rated by a rate 1 laboratory or you accept that you could be purchasing a minimal high quality ruby than what is specified on the report if that diamond is rated by a lesser well-known laboratory.
2. Numerous large store have huge contracts with minimal known laboratories with "softer" diamond grading guidelines. A few of these softer laboratories placed "recommended replacement values" on the lab records - worths which are higher compared to exactly what stores intends market the diamonds for. So a salesperson in a chain shop could claim to you, "Take a look at the excellent deal you are getting here. We are marketing you this ruby involvement ring for $2500 but the record claims that the recommended substitute value is $4000." Wow - what a deal - NOT! This is why it is much better that you trust just independent tier 1 laboratories.
Additionally keep in mind that trustworthy diamond rating reports are not appraisals and also do not supply assessment figures. Diamond appraisals are usually grossly inflated and are not something you'll want to count on.
3. Diamond reports are riddled with disclaimers that define that nothing is "accredited" or ensured which the laboratories are not liable for mistakes. In reality, the GIA uses a disclaimer of sorts on their web site relating to the usage of the word "accredit." The site says:
"It is inaccurate to state that pupils, graduates, their companies, or specific gemstones are "licensed" by GIA. The Gemological Institute of America does not accredit anybody or anything. Neither a pupil neither a graduate that has actually been awarded a certification or diploma, nor a gem which has actually been rated or determined by GIA has actually been certified by GIA".
So it is possible that you the customer is left holding the bag needs to an inaccuracy in a record is later on uncovered. Courts have often ruled that vendors, not laboratories, are accountable for such errors. Why? Because the labs showed ahead of time that their records couldn't be held responsible.
Thankfully, there are a couple means to give on your own extra buyer protection:
A. You might fly to India where jewelers supply a lifetime buyback plan to their customers. Also pricey to fly?
B. You might discover among the 20% of US jewelers who market completely bound diamonds. These are rubies that are offered with life time breakage, lifetime trade-in as well as life time buyback policies.
C. Not as great a remedy as getting a totally adhered diamond yet you can acquire a ruby that features a real "certification" and also not a record. "Qualified rubies do feature guaranties" albeit for much shorter periods.
Accreditation Some sellers describe a "diamond record" as a "certified ruby" but practically this is not deal with. From a legal point ofview, a diamond record is a merely a professional opinion though in reality, aspects of a diamond grading report are not simply point of views.
As an example, a ruby's carat (weight) could be properly determined as well as its cut grade by determining its optical effectiveness or by describing a computer model. A certificate on the various other hand is a statement of reality - a paper for which the issuer accepts legal duty as well as will certainly make restitution to the consumer for blunders.
Some top ruby grading labs use both records and also certificates. AGS provides Diamond Quality Documents (non-certified records) as well as Diamond Quality Certificates. Diamond Quality Certifications are prepared solely for AGS retail jewelry experts and offers warranties from taking part American Treasure Society member stores.
GCAL certifies it's ruby grading additionally. Its 100% money-back assurance plan stands for a period of 2 years from the day on the applicable certificate. This policy ensures the accuracy of the cut, color as well as clarity qualities and also the carat weight.
A record or certification ought to will have a number on it that could or may not be inscribed on a ruby. You will have the ability to go into that number on the website of the accrediting laboratory to examine a report's credibility.
Elements Of A Diamond Grading Record Diamond rating records are constantly advancing but particular component ought to remain the same. For example, the:
The Record #. This number is offered as well as videotaped in a lab's record as well as may or could not be inscribed on a diamond's band. You could enter the record number on a grading lab's website to inspect the credibility of the ruby high quality record or to obtain more info regarding the ruby. Shape & Aspect Style: This is the summary and also the cutting design utilized for the aspect arrangement. There are 3 basic facet designs - "dazzling cut, step cut as well as mixed cutting style" as well as 12 standard forms that include notables such as round dazzling as well as princess cut" diamonds.
Dimensions: This describes size (not weight) of a diamond. Size consists of dimensions such as size, width, weight as well as size. A measurement is generally noted to the hundredth of a millimeter. Dimensions play a substantial duty in exactly how a diamond glows.
Carat Weight: The weight of a ruby is gauged to the hundredth of a carat and also some even offer such step to the thousandth of a carat weight (1.123 ct.). Carat weight is one of the most objective and the easiest to comprehend 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 lack in the ruby. The much less shade the greater the grade.
Rubies are typically graded from D-Z; the closer to "D" the whiter the diamond. You ought to never see diamond color range such as (G-H, I-J-K, and more) on a diamond record. You should just see shade arrays on evaluations for rocks that are mounted.
Clearness Grade: Virtually every ruby has inner imperfections called inclusions and also exterior blemishes called imperfections. A diamond is rated according to the size, kind, location and quantity of these imperfections.
Clearness grades vary from Flawless (FL) - Consisted Of. Labs make use of a pair professionals to grade the clarity of a diamond in order to think of a much more precise reading.
Cut Grade: Extra current ruby reports include a cut quality for common round great rubies. Cut takes into account the luster, fire as well as scintillation of the ruby. Cut quality ranges from Superb - Poor.
Other elements you could encounter on a diamond report include the gloss, balance, fluorescence and percentage. Equipped with this info, you are much better able to make an assessment of the quality of diamond that is mounted in an interaction ring.
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