Ever since you met THE right person you thought about it, you know this is the person you want to spend the rest of your life with and you’re ready to take that step. The marriage proposal must be perfect, at the edge of a beach, in a restaurant, when you wake up in your bed… There are a thousand and one ways to do this act as there are a thousand and one ways to choose an engagement ring. During this unforgettable moment you are going to offer a sentimental and unique jewel. It is then normal that this diamond ring is ideally chosen. You can quickly lose your mind, you ask yourself questions: what shape of diamond to choose, which metal and for my budget?
To help you in this experience, Maison Celinni offers tips for buying the diamond ring of a lifetime.
- Know the 4Cs
- Understand the difference between diamond shapes, diamond cut styles and diamond cut quality.
- Which metal to choose for the diamond ring?
- Which setting should I choose for the diamond ring?
- Choose side stones? Why ?
- Look at a diamond under different lighting conditions
- How do you get the most sparkle and size?
- Choose a diamond ring that suits your other half’s style.
- Do you know his ring size?
- What is your budget?
- Choose a certified diamond
- Why choose a Maison Celinni diamond ring?
KNOW THE 4CS OF DIAMONDS
The 4Cs are the defining characteristics of a diamond. They were put in place by the GIA laboratory. They make it possible to distinguish diamonds and also to create their identities because each diamond is different.
You will understand, to choose an engagement ring adorned with a diamond, knowing the 4Cs is one of the most important points.
The 4Cs are:
- The Color
- Clarity
- The Carat
- The Cut (or shape)
You can find our detailed articles on each of its characteristics here.
In short, here is what these characteristics correspond to:
The Color is defined according to a letter scale going from D to Z. The letter D is the most colorless color and the letter Z is the most yellow color. Of course, the goal is to have the most colorless diamond possible.
Clarity defines the presence or absence of inclusions in the stone. Inclusions are internal characteristics of the stone which appear during its crystallization. Be careful, this is not a defect but these inclusions are sometimes of large sizes that must be taken into account when buying a diamond.
The Carat is the unit of measurement of the weight of the diamond. The more the Carat increases, the more the price of the diamond increases.
The Cut of the diamond is the shape of the diamond. A diamond can be brilliant, marquise, emerald, pear… This criterion also determines the brilliance of the diamond. (Fun fact: The round or brilliant cut is the shape that makes a diamond the most brilliant. No other shape makes a diamond so brilliant)
After understanding what these criteria are, you should ask yourself “What is the most important criterion for me?” “. Is it the Color? The Carat? Clarity ? Or the Diamond Cut?
Knowing these 4 criteria is fundamental: it is a universal language in the world of gemology (= study of stones). It is not enough only to know them but also to understand them, in fact understanding them will allow you to buy a diamond ring with confidence without having the impression of making a mistake or having made the wrong choice.
UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DIAMOND SHAPES, DIAMOND CUT STYLES AND DIAMOND CUT QUALITY
Understanding this difference is as fundamental as understanding the 4 characteristics of diamonds. Let’s see their difference together:
Diamond Shape describes the outline of a diamond when viewed face up. The most famous shape is round. But there are a multitude of other shapes it is said to be a “fancy” shape where the diamond will be in the shape of a drop of water (pear shape) or rectangle (emerald shape) and many others. Shape is one of the 4Cs of diamond
The Cut Style of the diamond, refers to the way the facets of the diamond are arranged. For example: the most common facet arrangement for round diamonds is the standard brilliant cut style with a specific arrangement of 57 or 58 facets. An emerald or radiant shaped diamond has a square or rectangular shape. The emerald shape features 4 longer facets along the sides and beveled corners. A radiant shaped diamond is square or rectangular but it is cut in the brilliant style (so with 57 or 58 facets).
Diamond cut quality refers to how the facets of a diamond interact with light. Diamonds cut in the same shape and style can vary in table size, belt thickness, polish and symmetry. All of these differences have an effect on their face-up appearance and will have an impact on the quality of their cut.
WHICH METAL TO CHOOSE FOR THE DIAMOND RING?
This careful choice affects the overall appearance of the diamond ring. The most well-known metals in recent years for engagement rings are white gold and platinum. It is true, they both give a sleek and modern look.
These two metals are also a good choice for diamonds classified in the colorless to almost colorless ranges: from D to J. Why? Because they highlight the colorlessness of the diamond. Whereas setting one of these diamonds in yellow prongs would make the diamond appear more yellowish.
If you like the color of gold, know that the white metal claws are often embedded in the yellow gold bands to create a contrast with the diamond.