Buying an engagement ring is an exciting moment. Browsing the rings at chisholmhunter.co.uk, we can feel the anticipation buyers must feel when choosing the perfect ring for their beloved.
But buying an engagement ring can also feel overwhelming. With so many cuts and styles to choose from, purchasing an engagement ring could quickly turn into a stressful process.
You might have never purchased a ring in your life. And now you’re searching for the most important ring you’ll ever buy. One step in the process is figuring out what diamond to choose. We often hear about 24-carat diamonds as the peak of luxury, but carat isn’t everything. In fact, you shouldn’t be blinded by carat weights. Instead, you should follow the 4Cs.
What to Remember When Choosing an Engagement Ring
So if choosing a diamond is getting you down, here is a guide to finding the perfect diamond engagement ring.
Colour, Cut, Clarity and Carat
Also known as the ‘4
Cs’, the colour, cut, clarity and carat are the four ways jewellers assess diamonds. This universal method is used to value diamonds, so it will play a big part in deciding which engagement ring you should choose. Here’s an overview of what each of the 4Cs mean.
- Colour: The less colour in a diamond, the rarer it is. Jewellers assess a diamond’s colour to determine its grade and its worth. The colour of a diamond is rated from D to Z, with D being the most colourless and Z having a visible yellow or brown tint. Colourless diamonds shine more and have a timeless elegance to them. But some brides-to-be are opting for yellow diamonds as a cheaper yet fashionable alternative.
- Cut: The cut of a diamond determines its ability to sparkle – an all-important part of an engagement ring and the reason why the cut of your diamond is the key quality to consider. Jewellers assess the diamond’s angles and proportions and grade it on a scale from Ideal, Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair or Poor.
- Clarity: The clarity of a diamond indicates how many blemishes and inclusions (small imperfections) it has. The fewer blemishes and inclusions, the better quality the diamond is. Blemishes and inclusions usually occur in diamonds during the manufacturing process. Jewellers grade the clarity of a diamond from flawless to I1 or I2 (visible inclusions).
- Carat: We often think a diamond’s carat is its size. Actually, carat indicates the diamond’s weight. Whilst a high carat diamond if you are after a large, eye-catching engagement ring, it’s not the most important aspect of choosing an engagement ring. Instead, you should look at the diamond’s cut, colour, and clarity – these factors will make the diamond stand out far more than a heavy diamond.
Many of us go into the engagement ring purchase completely blind. But with such an important purchase, it’s vital you have an understanding of how diamonds are assessed. Otherwise, jewellers will rattle off words like ‘clarity’ and ‘cut’ and you won’t understand a word of it! Keep in mind this guide to the 4Cs and you’ll be able to make an informed purchase.
Further reading
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