Choosing a Diamond Ring

When it’s time to propose you have to choose the right diamond at the right price.  Whether you are the potential bride or groom, it’s a good idea to be wise to what to look for since there is so much choice.

1. Decide on the money you want to spend.  Obviously don’t get into debt for the sake of a ring – who wants to start married life in debt?  At the same time, save up a little so you have a reasonable amount to spend.  For each person that amount is different.

2. Decide on the setting.  Gold, Platinum or White Gold.  Diamonds are too valuable to set on Silver which tarnishes easily.  Some people prefer gold and a lot of people prefer a cool coloured metal.  You should be able to tell which you other half prefers.

3. Decide on the shape.  Traditionally most people go for a Brilliant, other known as a round shape.  This is known as a Brilliant because the circular shape has the most perfect dimensions for the best amount of shine or ‘fire’ – the thing that makes a diamond just glow.  If your other half is traditional and prefers classic things go for this.  Other popular shapes are the Marquise (like a cat eye shape), Princess (rectangular) or a Square.  Fancier cuts include the Asher, which is square but has a layered look inside and the cushion cut which is oval but has lots of different reflective segments cut away underneath.

4. The size of a diamond is every girls dream!  Many diamond rings for around £500 are around 0.5 carat.  Carats are the way that diamonds are weighted.  1 carat is a generous and stylish size and will cost an absolute minimum of around £1500 (if it has a decent clarity and cut).

5. Clarity is how clear or flawless a diamond is.  There are different grades for diamonds, flawless diamonds being the rarest and most costly.  Few diamonds on the high street are flawless – most have a rating of VSI or VSII which means they have very slight markings (not visible to the naked eye).  A diamond that is huge but has lots of marks inside will not have ‘fire’ and will look dull.

6. Look on the internet as well as the high street! The best deals can be found online especially from the US but don’t forget that you will need to pay tax on it once it arrives in the UK.  Sometimes though, it can still work out cheaper than buying it in the UK but make sure that its from a reputable company.

 

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