How to Buy the Best Diamond Engagement Ring

If you’re wondering how to buy the best diamond engagement ring, chances are there is a proposal in the near future. There is no one definition of what constitutes the “best” diamond ring, but the perfect ring will be the one that is favored in the eyes of the recipient. That being said, there are some things to look for to ensure you, or the lucky person you are shopping for, will have a high quality ring to be enjoyed for years to come.

Take Inventory

Think about what type of jewelry the recipient typically wears. If you need to, have someone take a discreet inventory of her jewelry box. Is there a certain metal she is partial to or style that she just loves? Some people wear only gold, while others prefer silver or platinum. Also decide whether this person would want a big ring or something more understated. Finally, consider which diamond shape will look best on her hands. When in doubt, ask. Find a way to bring jewelry up in a conversation without mentioning the impending proposal if it is meant to be a surprise.

The perfect ring makes the sentiment all the sweeter.

Look at the Four Cs

Anyone who knows anything about diamonds should be familiar with the big four: color, cut, carat, and clarity. These will probably be the things that the |jeweler you speak with will address first when you’re learning how to buy the best diamond engagement ring. To get the best ring for your budget, it’s important to understand each of the Four Cs.

• Diamond Color: Diamonds are given letter grades by the Gemological Institute of America depending on how close to colorless they are. A diamond that is considered absolutely colorless is very rare, which makes it the most valuable. Diamonds at the top of the colorless spectrum, per se, are rated D, E or F while diamonds that are obviously yellow or brown in tint are rated S through Z. All others will fall somewhere in the middle. Go for the lowest letter your budget can afford, remembering that there are no diamonds rated A through C. (Note that the engagement ring setting can affect perception of the color.)
• Diamond Cuts: While you should already have a basic idea of the cut you think the recipient will like, you still need to make sure it is of high quality no matter what the shape. First of all, check for cracks and chips. Just like cracks in a car’s windshield, they can get bigger over time. Then examine how light reflects off the stone. If it is cut properly, the light should reflect off the top of the stone as well as reflect within the gem itself, giving it a brilliant appearance. If it doesn’t it is probably too shallow or deep and may show dark spots or shadows.
  

  Buy the best ring in your budget.

• Diamond Carats: Carat weight and the size of the gem are not the same thing. There can be larger diamonds with smaller carat weights because the stones shaped differently. However, in most cases, the bigger the diamond, the larger the carat weight and the more it will cost you. Note that a ring with a large solitaire diamond can be much more expensive than a ring with several smaller diamonds even if the total carat weight is the same. It can be helpful to compare price per carat for several different rings.

• Diamond Clarity: Oftentimes the clarity of a stone is closely related to its cut. It again has to do with whether there are cracks in the stone, but it also considers natural flaws or spots in the diamond. Again, there is a rating system for this. Fl means flawless and represents the perfect diamond. After that there are ratings of VVS1 and 2, VS1 and VS2, SI and SI2 and I1, I2 and I3, with more flaws as you go down the line. The V, S and I stand for “very”, “slightly” and “included.” Included means the presence of internal flaws. Many can only be seen under extreme magnification.

How to Buy the Best Diamond Engagement Ring Overall

Consider all the different factors of judging diamond quality to buy the best diamond engagement ring. Rank each ring you look at according to the four Cs, adding a fifth category for how it fits with the recipient’s preferences. Choose the one that gets the highest ranking overall and that is in a price range you can afford, and you will be assured of a treasured ring that will be a beautiful symbol of your relationship.