Understanding Gems
Becoming intimate with Gems
The main price of the engagement ring is truly the sparkling diamond or shimmering colored gemstone that you simply select to adorn it. To avoid costly mistakes, it is very important to understand whenever possible about the stone you are considering. The best way to go ahead and take risk from purchasing a particular gem would be to understand the gem. While the average consumer cant are hoping to make exactly the same precise judgments as a qualified gemologist whose scientific training and insightful working experience give a much better database by which to operate, the consumer can learn how to judge a gemstone as a "total personality" and learn what the critical factors are; color, clarity (sometimes known within the trade as "perfection"), sparkle and brilliance, and weight, and how to balance them in judging the gems value. Researching these factors spending some time available on the market looking, listening, and asking questions prior to making the acquisition will help you prepare to become a wise buyer more likely to get what you really want, at a fair price.
Picking out a Diamond
The diamond diamond engagement ring has emerged as the universal symbol of affection and commitment between a couple. Its not only the formal beginning; visible "announcement" of the your engagement, however the centuries old symbolism surrounding diamond reflects both the preciousness of the moment and commitment made by two people in love to cherish one another forever.
Although some woman prefer other gems to diamond, or choose the special significant of a family heirloom, a diamond is the overwhelming selection of todays bride.
engagement and wedding rings
Some brides-to-be probably have been surprised with the unexpected presentation of the diamond engagement ring, but it is probably safest to carry out the task of selecting the ring together. While the element of surprise is very romantic, keep in mind that the engagement ring is meant to be worn for life. So it is especially important that the bride-to-be really loves it; that it reflects her personal taste and style. If you are a die hard romantic who would like to surprise her, we suggest putting a photo of the ring you want inside the "tiny black ring box" and presenting her with this particular instead; it combines romance with practicality, and youre simply sending another important message: you dont only love her, however, you understand the importance of working together on such important decision!
The prior and following articles, we will give all you need to know to purchase a diamond with greater confidence; whether you are shopping for an engagement ring, wedding or anniversary band, or simply a beautiful bit of diamond jewelry to commemorate an important moment. The greater your understanding of the sun and rain that determine diamond quality, the better chances of understanding what you want, getting precisely what you are after, and deriving lasting pleasure from it.
- Whats diamond?
Chemically speaking, diamond jewelry may be the simplest of all gemstones. A diamond is plain, crystallized carbon; the same substance, chemically, because the soot left on the inside of a glass globe after the burning of the candle; it is the same substance used in lead pencils.
Diamonds is different from these in the crystal form, which provides it the desirable properties make it so highly prized; its hardness, which provides it unsurpassed wear-ability; its brilliance; and it is fire. (But note that while diamond may be the hardest natural substance known, it can be chipped or broken if hit hard from certain angles, and if the "girdle" has been cut too thin it may be chipped with a modest blow.)
The transparent white colorless) diamond is most widely used variety, but diamond can also happen in colors. When color is prominent it is called a fancy diamond. Diamond is frequently present in nice yellow and brown shades. Diamond color for example pink, light blue, light green, and lavender occur a lot more rarely. In diamonds, the colors seen are often pastel. Deep diamond colors in hues of red, green, and dark blue are incredibly rare. Historically, most colored diamonds have sold in excess of their colorless counterparts, except for light yellow or brown varieties. Yellow or brown in very pale shades might not be fancy diamonds but off color stones which are common and sell for a smaller amount than colorless diamonds or those with true "fancy" color.
engagement and wedding rings
In addition to natural color diamonds, "fancies" which have obtained their color artificially, through exposure to certain kinds of radiation and heating techniques, are readily available. The balance of sale (and any accompanying certification appraisal, etc.) should specify if the color is natural or induced. If induced, the cost ought to be a smaller amount, even though gem will often be just like beautiful as one with a natural color.
- The four factors that determine diamond value
Diamond quality and value are determined by four factors. They are known as the "Four Cs." If we were to rank then based on their essential in determining the need for a diamond, we would list them the following:
- Color (body color)
- Clarity (degree of flawlessness)
- Cutting and proportioning (often referred to as the make)
- Carat weight (which affects the size)
When it comes to determining beauty, however, we would rank them in a different order:
1. Cutting and proportioning
2. Color
3. Clarity
4. Carat weight
Tips on obtaining the diamond you want, affordable
If you have a limitless budget, you might feel you need to have a large stone of the finest quality available; a "D" flawless by having an ideal make. But for the majority of us who must work inside a limited budget, selecting the correct ring is really a few learning how to juggle, and discovering what factors will best meet our needs, emotional in addition to financial.
- In diamonds, choose color and sparkle first
If you have a limited budget, you need to compromise on something; either the size, color, clarity (flaw grade), or liveliness. Of those four factors, its possible to see size, color, and liveliness. In terms of what most people notice around the finger, the clarity is the least important in our opinion. Personally, on the limited budget wed choose a stone using the best possible color and liveliness personality.
What many people dont understand is the fact that even in SI2 diamonds, flaws are not really noticeable when the diamond is being worn and, in most cases, can not be seen whatsoever without using a magnifier. In fact, if you take a properly cut one carat D-color and FL (Flawless)-clarity diamond and hold it nest to some well cut one carat D/SI2 diamond, you wont see any difference using the naked eye. Contrary to what many think, its not the clarity grade that determines how lively an brilliant diamond jewelry is going to be, But its cut and proportioning. And you may feel much more sparkling yourself if you can spend $7,500 for a diamond, D/SI2, that may look like a $36,000, D/IF, diamond to anyone without a magnifier!
The diamond brilliance and liveliness is really as essential as its color. After all, thats what sets the gem apart from glass and cheap imitations. A properly cut diamond has more sparkle; more brilliance and "fire," than any other gem. But the key towards the sparkle is within its being well cut. We have seen diamonds which were so badly cut that they had no life at all. In fact, one might just as well be looking at a bit of glass.
Because of this, we prefer diamonds with very fine makes. Diamonds that are cut to appear just a little larger than they really are can also be pretty, however when they are cut too spread, they will be lifeless. In our opinion, wed rather buy a diamond thats cut exceptionally well; a diamond that really dances before the eye, though it costs more. Since it does are more expensive, wed consider decreasing the color grade a little in exchange for the perfect "make," or decreasing in dimensions a little. While you look around, pay attention to what sort of diamond is cut. Ask to determine diamonds with "ideal" makes. Youll soon be able to spot variations in brilliance and liveliness. Then your eye will help you find the right balance for your own budget.
- A small difference in points can make a big difference in dollars.
The cost of diamond jewelry increases significantly when it reaches the full, 1 carat weight. However, try to find a diamond that weight 90 points (or 9/10 of a carat). When set, few can easily see the difference from a 90 points diamond and something thats a full one carat diamond. The difference, however, is extremely noticeable in dollars. In which a fine one carat diamond (G/VS1 quality) might sell for $9,800, exactly the same quality diamond weighting 90 points cost only $8,500. The money you save could pay for an attractive diamond studded wedding band!
A thing of caution: Be careful that you arent sold a diamond that is too "spread" (a term used to describe diamond jewelry that is cut to look larger than its real weight). We have seen diamonds weighing 90 points that come LARGER in dimension than 1 carat diamond that is cut well. These diamonds usually lack the brilliance and sparkle of the well made diamond. You might be pleased with with their size, but be certain that youre happy with the sparkle. In the end, if you are paying for a diamond, you deserve a stone that demonstrate its full beauty.
- What to consider when selecting the colour grade.
D-color is the rarest and most expensive color in white diamonds. You will find not many diamonds that receive this high grade. Diamonds graded from D through H around the GIA scale are graded within the "white" by other grading systems and, when mounted, can look white. I and J colors are colored "slightly tinted" by others and you may see some yellowish or brownish tint within the stone body color. K and L may also be called "tinted white," and you can more easily begin to see the tint. M through Z can also be called "tinted color" or "off white" and appearance yellowish or brownish white.
The main difference in cost between D and E color, however; even though both considered "white" diamonds, can be significant.
You should keep in mind that whenever a diamond is set, it is very hard to differentiate between D, E, and F colors without comparing them immediately nest to each other. For all those on a tight budget, picking out a diamond with E, F, or G color rather than D might allow you to bets meet all your expectations; a "white" diamond with lots of sparkle inside a pleasing size.
- The color of the setting can make your diamond appear whiter.
If you are on the limited budget, remember that if you think you cannot afford diamond jewelry as white as you would like and have the size and sparkle thats important, setting the stone in a white gold or platinum may make diamonds appear whiter than it really is. Less white diamonds (L through M colors) can actually look whiter inside a white gold or platinum setting; the whiteness of the metal is reflected in to the diamond and masks the yellow, making the diamond appear more white. Yellowish tinted diamond ( M - Z Colors) usually look more white in a gold setting, where the contrast with with the bright yellow of the setting masks the yellowish tint of the diamond and frequently causes it to be appear whiter.
- Flaws may mar the beauty of your band under you believe.
On a budget, they may add beauty! As discussed previously, flaws cannot normally be viewed in a mounted diamond using the human eye alone until the classification I1 clarity! As well as diamonds considered "I" flaws are not immediately visible once the diamond is placed, especially when worn. So, while its important to understand what the flaw grade is to be sure youre make payment on correct price, this is the factor you can stretch the farthest without having affected the beauty of the diamond you select. Its an area by which juggling can dramatically affect the budget whilst not affecting the sparkle. Therefore, we normally recommend trying to meet your individual preferences regarding the other three factors first. The cost difference between Flawless and Internally Flawless, and each successive grade, can be dramatic. Looking at the diamonds without using a loupe, the D/SI@ would seem like the D/IF!
- Consider shapes apart from round.
While the round brilliant cut diamond is considered by most to be the cut that best reveals the diamonds maximum beauty, it normally looks small compared to diamonds cut in other shapes. Today women are showing a heightened interest in other shapes. As compared to the round, pear shaped diamonds and marquise shaped diamonds look larger.
- Think about a design that uses several small stones than a single large diamond.
As you can see in greater depth in the past articles, may beautiful designs use several small diamonds rather than one large diamond. These designs offer a beautiful way to keep the budget down. The smaller diamonds, the lower the price per carat. For example, a 1 carat round brilliant cut diamond occur a solitaire ring more than a ring containing three diamonds having a total weight of one carat (each diamond weighing 1/3 carat). A solitaire, even though it is the most popular ring style among new brides-to-be, is also the costliest.
Search for the innovative designs available in multi gemstone rings. These present an alternative that can create a very important and individual look.
- Illusion settings.
Certain settings create an illusion that diamond is larger than it is.
- Bold designs in gold and platinum add importance and distinctiveness to smaller diamonds.
New designs reflecting todays more independent woman have had a major effect on the diamond engagement ring and wedding band market. Using wider, innovative designs in metal can produce a spectacular look, using a smaller diamond (less that certain carat) as well as larger diamonds.
- Pay attention to your heart as well as your head.
The most important consideration in the selection of your engagement ring is how you feel about this. You want to feel a thrill; you need to feel excited; you would like so that it is your decision. If you really prefer yellow gold, dont allow someone talk you into platinum; should you really like the pear shape diamond, dont let someone talk you into round shape diamond.
Our clients was torn between two diamonds; you the best possible color D and she knew it had been the "better" diamond.
Another was a little larger also it was not quite as white, F color, but it had a magnificent make and the sparkle was really dazzling. She decided on the slightly larger diamond, even though it was F color, because she was honest with herself and her fiancee; she really preferred diamond jewelry that was a little larger, she was constantly drawn back to that diamond because of its "personality." The other diamond was a "rarer" stone, color-wise, making it more expensive around the per carat basis, however it wasnt the one she really felt looking forward to. She made the best choice in going with her heart and never her head!
Diamond Grading report (certificate)
Today, few fine diamonds more than one carat are sold without a diamond grading report (or certificate, as they are also known as) from a respected laboratory. Reports from the GIA, Gem Trade laboratory, are the most widely used in the United States and in many countries around the world.
A grading report does more than certify the diamonds genuineness; it fully describes the stone and evaluates each one of the critical factors affecting quality, beauty, and value. The information they contain can provide verification of the facts as represented through the seller and enable someone to make a safer decision when purchasing diamond jewelry. Another important purpose of the reports is to verify the identity of the specific diamond at some some future time. Also for insurance purposes, the the data provided around the report will make sure replacement of the lost or stolen diamond with one that is truly compatible quality.
The availability and widespread utilization of these reports can, when properly understood, enable even those without professional skills to make valid comparison between several diamonds and more informed buying decisions.
