Buying a Diamond (anyone can learn)
Planning to buy a diamond or just wishing for one? Owning a diamond or wearing one is not just for brides or financeers. More and more women are making this purchase for themselves. More couples are at the point of being able to afford a nicer diamond or their first ever wedding set. It is likely that a bit of information could go a long way to maximize a purchase ~ I have counseled the hopeful and the thrifty with good results. So let's start with the reasons diamonds can convince the thrifty.
First tip: If you are a prospective buyer, ready to propose to that special one, go to any fine jeweler and ask to see a round brilliant white diamond that is just under one carat. Why do this? Engagement ring requests carry the expectation that a standard sized diamond of one carat is the point of departure. The price point reflects this. However a white round brilliant that is .99 carat has a far lower price yet is indistinguishable from the full carat.
Try something else. Consider color, the color "white". Diamonds are priced according to the lack of color, that is, the closer to "colorless" the diamond, the more expensive. So why is that diamond more beautiful than another? Diamond Color is graded from "colorless" to "near colorless", then "slightly tinted", then "very light yellow", etc. You can see the difference if you take a little time to ask the jeweler to demonstrate each category. Most people agree that "colorless" Grade D E F actually looks grey next to an G H or I "near colorless".
Consider this approach: getting the fiancee` into the jewelry store only after you have set aside (in your price range) a few rings. Better still is to choose from a solitaire not in a setting, an unmounted solitaire diamond. That way, you can inspect the diamond not only for the Color, but to be sure it is the Clarity Grade you want. Prongs on a set stone can hide flaws or blemishes that affect the value of your diamond. Prongs are what holds the stone onto the setting and are standard as they show the most of the diamond's surface. Bezel enclosed diamonds can work two ways: One way is to hide the edges of the stone while offering more security as a mount. The other way is to augment the size of a small stone as the lustrous finish of a white gold bezel can resemble the color of the diamond, visually "increasing" its surface area to the eye.
If you would like to see a variety of diamond shapes now available, ask the jeweler to demonstrate various Cuts. Round brilliant is only one of many cuts, it is considered the optimal cut due to its design of 58 facets. The Asscher Cut has great brilliance for a square cut diamond, other such Radiant cuts are softened at the corners. In my upcoming newsletter I will talk about the diamond's dazzling history and the science behind its matchless brilliance.
Ms Munich is Gemmologist candidate for Fellow of the British Gemmological Association in London.
