In Ogden, one of the most important purchases you will ever make is choosing the perfect diamond engagement ring.
The first lesson is to only settle for the best. Try on several rings to see what you like to get a feel of quality craftsmanship. Also, examine the quality prongs and how they will hug your center diamond.
When purchasing a diamond, there are four characteristics, known as Cs, that must be considered: cut, clarity, carat, and color. Additionally, there is a bonus fifth C, “conflict-free.”
Here’s how diamonds, a popular choice for engagement rings in Ogden, are valued.
First C: Cut
The cut of the diamond is the first C among the 4 Cs.
A well-cut diamond will allow more light to pass through the crown. This is what makes a diamond ring sparkle so beautifully. Conversely, the light will escape from the sides and bottom of a diamond if it is too deep or shallow.
There are many different cuts—or shapes—of diamond engagement rings in Ogden. Here are a couple of the most popular shapes at the moment.
- Round
Round-cut diamonds are a popular choice for brides.
Its shape maximizes the fire and light reflections of the diamond, making it the most popular choice for engagement rings. For a retro look, round brilliant-cut diamonds can be used as solitaires in two or three-stone settings. These diamonds make great brides if they want something classic and traditional. Round-cut diamond rings will always stay in style.
- Princess
Who doesn’t want to feel princess-like on her wedding day?
The princess-cut is another popular style of engagement ring. Because of its versatility, the princess cut can be used with almost any ring style. They have a more modern, geometric look and are generally cheaper than round-cut diamonds. However, protective settings are important because princess-cut diamonds can chip at the corners and fall out.
- Cushion
The cut’s square-cut combination of rounded corners and 58 larger facets makes it look like a pillow.
This shape was popular in the 19th century and was still called the “mine cut.” In recent years, popularity has surged again; the shape exudes a vintage vibe, making them a great choice for vintage settings.
- Emerald
The emerald-cut diamond ring is characterized by a rectangular cut, open corners, and a table with cropped corners.
It’s popular for its art deco aesthetic. It has a more subtle sparkle; some call it a hall-of-mirrors effect engagement ring. The diamond’s clarity is captured by its long silhouette and angular lines. This shape makes fingers appear longer and slimmer when set vertically. Because it has fewer facets, you can’t disguise blemishes or imperfections.
- Oval
The oval-shaped stone is an elongated form of a round diamond. It can have as many facets and sparkles as a round-cut diamond ring. This is a unique and elegant choice. However, this engagement ring can show imperfections and inclusions if not properly cut.
Second C: Clarity
The clarity of a diamond is very important.
It can affect the rarity of the diamond and, thus, the price. The diamond’s small markings are called clarity. GIA developed a diamond grading system to help consumers understand the value of a diamond. The scale ranges from FL (flawless), to VVS (very, very slightly included), to SI (slightly involved), to I (included).
A diamond’s internal flaws are called inclusions, while external flaws are blemishes. Most natural diamonds will have some inclusions; fortunately, most inclusions aren’t visible to the naked eye.
A flawless diamond ring is the most expensive because it’s rare, and an included diamond is the least expensive.
Third C: Carat
The diamond’s carat is determined by mass. And because large stones are rare, the price per carat will increase.
Many people desire the biggest diamond ring they can afford. One carat can be divided into 100 points, so 50 points equals 1/2 carat. Furthermore, each metric carat weighs 200 milligrams. If a diamond is more than one carat, it’s expressed in decimals. For example, a 1.75-carat diamond. However, a larger carat doesn’t always mean a “bigger” diamond.
Carat often gets confused with the visual appearance of a diamond. What plays more into how a diamond looks is the cut. For example, two diamonds of the same carat, but different shapes, can look like two different sizes. Also, a diamond can look bigger depending on the spread, which means the width, and the brightness.
If you are looking for the best bang for your buck, consider sizing down. You can save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars by selecting a stone slightly smaller than your desired weight. Usually, there is also no visible visual difference. For example, if you want a 2-carat stone, select a 1.91-carat gemstone of the same specifications. Not only will it be much cheaper, but you won’t be able to tell the size difference in your engagement ring.
Fourth C: Color
The next of the four Cs is the color of a diamond.
The color of most diamonds can range from an icy white colorless to light yellow. Although there is an established color scale, it isn’t easy to distinguish between different color grades. Thus, it is important to compare different diamonds side-by-side.
The most expensive and rarest diamond is colorless. Yellow is the most common and, thus, the least expensive. The industry’s most accepted color grading system is the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). It categorizes diamonds using a D-Z scale, with D being colorless and Z being yellow.
Although most diamonds come in these ranges, some come in different “fancy” colors. The pinks and blues of fancy diamonds make for stunning jewelry.
Fifth C: Conflict-Free
In recent years, a fifth C, “conflict-free” or “blood-free,” diamond ring has become more important to buyers in Ogden.
Conflict or blood diamonds are diamonds extracted from a country or region in a civil war. They may have been illegally and unethically used to finance wars against governments or other factions.
For example, diamonds mined in civil wars across many African countries are labeled conflict diamonds. Similarly, many Ogden shoppers also seek “ethical” diamonds. These are stones mined with fair wages, safe working conditions, and no human rights violations.
Which Diamond Is Right For You?
Diamond rings are like shoes; there is no one-size-fits-all.
The perfect engagement ring depends on the person. There are so many options these days for rings—you can purchase something classic and traditional or go the custom jewelry route to create something one-of-a-kind.
