What You Need to Know About Diamond Rings Before You Shop

Diamonds represent love, commitment, and loyalty. Before you shop for an engagement ring, wedding band, or a meaningful gift, you'll want to learn about diamond rings to make an informed decision. We'll cover the ins and outs of what you need to know about diamonds before you start shopping. We'll cover cost, value, the best choices, popular sets, and various types of diamond rings.

Cost and Value

All diamonds are evaluated for quality using their individual color, cut, carat, and clarity. These are called the 4Cs; you'll hear them when shopping for diamonds. Color is the stone's hue – colorless stones are rarer, valuable, and expensive. Cut refers to the diamond shape as well as the intricate facets within the diamond. Carat is the weight of the diamond, and larger diamonds are more expensive than smaller carats. Clarity evaluates the inclusions within the stone. When you can see some inclusions with the naked eye, then the clarity would be of a lower grade.

Setting a budget prior to shopping can help you narrow your search so it's more streamlined. You can browse different quality elements to see how each impacts the price. Keep in mind that a well-balanced diamond might offer more value than a larger diamond with visible flaws. It comes down to your quality preferences and your budget.

Diamond Shapes and Cuts

You're probably already familiar with some diamond shapes, but there are some others that you might not know. Diamonds are either cut using triangular or kite-shaped facets or parallel facets called step cuts. Kite and triangular cuts have more brilliance and sparkle cuts than step cuts, but both are elegant and magnificent.

• Round: The round diamond features 57 facets of brilliance, with 33 facets on the crown and 25 on the pavilion. The top of the diamond's (crown) facets comprise the table, 8-star facets, 8 kite facets, and 16 upper girdle facets. It's the most popular diamond cut and brings tons of sparkle.
• Princess: The princess cut is the second most popular cut and also has plenty of brilliance. Its square shape and pointy corners typically have 50 to 58 facets, depending on how it was cut.
• Emerald: The emerald-cut diamond is an elegant example of a step-cut diamond with its elongated shape. It features parallel cuts and generally 57 facets, with the most significant facet being the table at the top of the stone.
• Oval: The elongated oval shape is gaining in popularity because it's elegant, flattering, and versatile. It features 58 facets that provide spectacular brilliance.

The Best Choices

Another area that you'll need to know is the type of engagement ring settings. Popular options include:

• Classic Solitaire: The solitaire diamond ring places all of the focus on the main/center stone. It's a timeless and elegant setting that can have a simple band or one with small diamonds.
• Halo Settings: These settings are popular for their additional diamonds and ability to make the center diamond appear more prominent. Halo settings feature a center diamond surrounded by a ring of smaller accent stones.
• Ring Sets: If you're selecting a unique engagement ring, you can go for a wedding band that matches the engagement ring and hugs the curves of the ring for a seamless fit.
• Pavé: This type of setting refers to tiny diamonds set within the engagement ring setting. To help you remember this term, the French word pavé means "paved," and diamonds with this feature look like they're paved with diamonds.
• Hidden Halo: This feature has gained in popularity in recent years. It refers to a small ring of diamonds underneath the center stone that you can see from the side, but not from the top (thus the name, hidden halo). It's a glitzy detail that the wearer can admire.

We touched on it, but as you shop for engagement rings, it's essential to consider the type of wedding bands you two will want.

• Matching Wedding Bands: If you and your loved one want matching wedding bands, discussing them before you start shopping for engagement rings is important.
• Mix and Match: Some couples prefer a unique look for their rings and mix and match the engagement ring and wedding ring to create a personalized set. You can also stack rings for a combination that reflects your style (perhaps a band on top and below the engagement ring).

Types of Diamond Rings

Although diamond engagement rings are probably the most well-known, there are a few others you should be aware of before you head out shopping.

• Engagement Rings: Engagement rings are used for proposals, typically featuring a prominent center stone. They symbolize love and a commitment to marriage and spending a lifetime together. Within this category, you'll see different designs varying from simple to extravagant. Review different styles to see what types of rings catch your eye.
• Wedding Bands: These rings are exchanged between the couple during the wedding ceremony and often complement the engagement ring. You can choose a band that completes the style of the engagement ring or find one that reflects your unique sense of style.
• Anniversary Rings: Anniversary rings can also be simple or extravagant and celebrate milestones. They typically feature a band with multiple diamonds or gemstones that are set in different ways. Anniversary rings can commemorate years of love and commitment, a relationship milestone, or simply communicate how much love you have for your spouse.

Metals and Settings

Diamond rings need to last, so common metals for diamond rings include platinum or gold (yellow, rose, or white) so that they're strong and durable. Platinum has a silvery appearance, along with white gold. Yellow gold has a warmer hue, as the name implies, and rose gold has a pinkish tint.

Another aspect that's helpful to know is the different types of settings. Pronged settings mean tiny metal pieces hold each stone in place. Pavé settings feature tiny or micro diamonds set in the setting. A bezel setting surrounds the outer edge of the stone in metal. The metal lip overlaps the edges of the stone, and only the crown of the gem is exposed.

Diamond Certification

Some diamonds include certification, which helps ensure you know what you thought you were buying. Certified diamonds have undergone quality analysis by a trusted gemological laboratory, such as the AGSL (American Gem Society Laboratories) or GIA (Gemological Institute of America). Certified diamonds are accompanied by a lab report detailing the cut, color, clarity, and carat of the diamond you're buying. Reports provide peace of mind and documentation about your diamond's quality. The report includes the diamond's proportions and locations of any inclusions.

Ethical and Sustainable Diamonds

Another area to familiarize yourself with is lab-made diamonds. Lab diamonds look exactly like mined diamonds - the only difference is that one is made in the lab and the other with the earth. The only way to tell the difference between natural and lab diamonds is with a microscope.

Natural diamond mining disrupts ecosystems and uses plenty of natural resources, while lab diamonds do not. The mining process is sometimes questionable; hence, more modern couples are choosing lab diamonds for being conflict-free and sustainable.

Ring Care and Maintenance

Taking care of your ring and maintaining it is essential - after all, you spend a lot of money on diamond rings and want them to last for generations. Avoid wearing your diamond rings if you're going to exercise, do yard work, or do any strenuous activity that could damage your ring or it could get lost. You'll also want to clean your ring periodically at home to remove built-up grime that can get wedged in the setting. It'll also leave your diamonds sparkling!

Once a year, take your diamond rings to a jeweler for a professional inspection and cleaning. They can examine your setting and stones under a microscope to ensure they are safe and secure. They'll also look at the prongs to ensure they're not broken or worn down.

Customization and Personalization

You want a diamond ring that reflects your style and preferences. Your diamond ring will get plenty of use, and you want it to be something you adore. With Clarity, weaves customization into the ring shopping process. They allow you to select the metal and shop for loose center stones (lab or natural) to make the ring your own. If you can't find what you're looking for, you can also completely custom-design a diamond ring based on what you envision.

If you're overwhelmed by the number of diamond ring designs, browse some rings, see which styles you're drawn to, and determine your ring style. Once you start looking, you can decide if you like more simple or extravagant designs.

Buying Tips

Now, you can buy diamond rings in stores or online. Regardless of where you buy it, you want to ensure the company is reputable. Research to find out what types of warranty is offered on their jewelry and their return policies. Look at company reviews before purchasing diamond rings from that retailer. Ask questions so that you can make a well-informed decision about your upcoming purchase. As we discussed before, getting a certified diamond can also ensure you're getting what you thought you were buying. A third-party report is helpful to provide details about your diamond.

Conclusion

Shopping for diamond rings includes a lot of factors: cost, value, settings, metals, styles, and retailers. There are also diamond rings for various occasions – engagements, weddings, anniversaries, or holidays. Having all of the information you need to make an informed location can help you browse for diamond rings and select the perfect ring for yourself or a loved one.

Whether it's a completely custom design or you customize ring characteristics from the retailer, you want your diamond ring to last for years. Carefully research any retailer you're considering, and look for certified diamonds with documentation about the diamond quality. Take good care of it and have it cleaned and inspected periodically. Your diamond ring carries sentimental value, and you want it to remain strong and beautiful for generations. With Clarity has a range of customizable and pre-set diamond rings for you to choose from.