If you are in the market for a diamond ring, you might be wondering how you can get a good deal. After all, diamonds are expensive, high quality or not. Fortunately, there are ways to find good deals on diamonds without sacrificing quality or appearance. Below is your guide to finding a diamond ring at a fair price point:
Review the 4 Cs
Before shopping for diamond rings, it is crucial to understand the 4 Cs of diamonds—cut, color, clarity, and carat.
The cut of a diamond refers to its shape and proportion. The cut is the most vital factor in determining how much a diamond will cost you. Diamonds are the hardest substance on earth and have a specific set of characteristics that make them unique in terms of their ability to reflect light and sparkle brilliantly in any setting. The proportions of each stone determine how well they can perform this function.
Color is also an important characteristic when considering how much you’ll spend on your stone. While color plays less of a role than cut does in determining value, some guidelines apply here as well. Yellowish-brown is cheap, while clear white tends to be more expensive. Blue or green stones with some hints at other colors may be more expensive than purer shades like red or pink (though there are some exceptions).
Clarity describes how many imperfections can be seen inside the stone—the fewer imperfections present in your diamond ring (which means less chance for chips), then, generally speaking, you’ll pay less money for it!
Carat refers only to size. Larger stones tend to cost more due–in part–to their scarcity as well as their beauty!
Compare Prices
Here is how you should compare the prices of diamond rings.
- Compare prices of diamonds and rings. Diamonds and rings are two separate purchases, so make sure the price of each is fair.
- Compare prices of different diamond cuts. Different diamond cuts have different qualities and costs, so you must know exactly what kind of cut you are looking for before you start shopping around.
- Compare prices of different diamond sizes. The size of a diamond plays a role in its quality, even though larger diamonds do not necessarily mean higher quality stones! You may want to consider buying multiple smaller diamonds instead of one large stone. That will give you more options when setting them and adjusting their settings down the line, too!
- Compare prices of different diamond clarity. Clarity refers to how flaws are distributed among a stone; depending on your preferences or budget constraints (or both), this can be something important to factor into your decision-making process as well.
To get a good idea of the various prices and types of diamonds, you can explore Leibish’s diamond ring collection. There are different types of cuts and styles of diamonds. Going through this collection will help you understand how the prices vary and what you might expect to spend.
Examine the Diamond for Inclusions
Inclusions are natural and not a sign of poor quality. Diamonds with higher clarity tend to cost more. But you should not let that deter you from choosing a diamond with inclusions—they can add to the beauty of your ring! In fact, many people prefer diamonds that have some sort of visible characteristic or even an imperfection.
Most people do not notice them unless they look very closely or under a microscope. And even if they do see something, they still find them beautiful because they know it is part of what makes up that particular stone, and no other stone has that same kind of uniqueness and character to offer them as well as its own unique beauty.
Scrutinize the Setting
Make sure to check the metal, size, and shape of the ring. If it is too small, you might not be able to get a good look at it in any light. If it is too big, you risk losing a portion of your investment if/when it gets stolen or lost.
Make sure the quality of each stone’s cut is up to par. For example, a round-cut diamond will shine brightly but won’t twinkle as much as a princess-cut diamond would. There aren’t any sharp edges for light rays to bounce off them. Whereas an emerald-cut diamond has many more surfaces where light can reflect back into your eyes, making them appear brighter than other cuts do on their own merits alone.
Confirm the Ring’s Authenticity and Details
You want to make sure that the ring you buy is authentic and not fake. The best way to do this is to have an expert examine the diamond ring before you make your purchase. You can also examine it yourself, but this may not be enough if there’s anything unusual about it. If a person attempts to sell a diamond ring without providing proof of authenticity, they could face criminal charges in some states.
When buying diamonds, always check for certifications from reputable companies such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or American Gem Society Laboratories (AGSL).
When you visit a store or website, use this article for guidance on what types of questions to ask before making a purchase.
