buying |

The Four Cs: Carat

May 6, 2013 Jennifer

When selecting the engagement ring of your dreams there are four important points to consider, the Four Cs. We’ve gone over Cut, Clarity and Color in previous posts the final C is Carat. The carat is the weight of your diamond. Let’s not confuse carats and Karats however. 18k gold is completely different from an 18 ct. diamond which would be a monster of a rock.

The carat is the unit of measurement which is used to designate the weight of a diamond. As defined by the metric system a “carat” is equal to 0.2grams (or about the weight of a small paperclip). The carat is then subdivided into 100 points, think of it as a dollar with 100 pennies: ½ carat is 0.50 cts. When weighed, a diamond will be assigned its weight to the closest 100^th decimal place. So a quarter carat diamond will be written out as having a weight of 0.25 cts. This helps the jeweler to be as precise as possible in weighting the diamond.

But it’s not all about the size here ladies. There are the other characteristics to consider. A larger diamond isn’t always going to be the best choice or render the most bang for your buck. When comparing two diamonds with the same color grade, cut and internal clarity yes, a larger diamond will cost considerably more than a smaller diamond. This is especially true because prices rise exponentially with size due to the fact that larger diamonds are rare. But if size is what you’re going for it is possible to find a large diamond of poor quality with less sparkle at a similar price to a smaller diamond with exquisite quality and high sparkle. It’s all about preference and priorities.

For more information on carat weight and a handy interactive chart: GIA

Buying an Engagement Ring in you Bathrobe?

May 1, 2013 Jennifer

reviews-online-shopping-products — Source: Sererra

Point and click! Thinking about buying your diamond engagement ring online, think again. While the internet may provide beneficial information and helpful tips for the novice it is definitely not the route to go if you’re choosing an engagement ring, a large investment which will in the long term not only be of great financial value but sentimental value as well.

Let’s first debunk a few myths about online shopping:

With so many choices I can compare for the best value. Not necessarily true. While it may appear that the internet can offer endless choices and will allow you to compare, it is nearly impossible to compare the true value of your diamond ring. Diamonds are a naturally occurring formation, they all differ in quality and have can have varying degrees of imperfection. With online shopping many times there will be one image supplied, of one diamond and ultimately it won’t be the one you’ll be receiving in the mail weeks later. There is no sure way to know exactly what you will be getting until you get it.

It’s so convenient! Is it really? Although online shopping does provide the freedom of browsing in your bathrobe it can, in the long run, be less convenient than finding a ring in-store. The major issue is maintenance. An engagement ring is a large investment, and as such will necessitate upkeep: ring sizing, diamond cleaning, tightening. When you build a relationship with a store those services can be provided for.

You can always find a deal. Not so sure. The internet marketplace is a sellers’ market. As a consumer we’re left to dig, claw and tear through verbiage. While the vendor provides a few facts and lovely descriptions it’s still a gamble. They may say “ideal” but do they mean “ideal-cut,” they may refer to a diamond’s brilliance but do they mean that in terms of the light’s actual refraction or does it just sound great? If you’re not a professional and can’t assess a diamond based upon internal qualities you may end up making a huge, and very expensive, mistake.

No pushy salesman. Is that really a good thing? Any reputable jewelry store will have a staff knowledgeable enough to help guide you in making your purchase. While it can be a little overwhelming, and they are focused on selling a ring they can also provide a wealth of knowledge. As long as you go in with a sure price point and some basic information they can provide the great service of comparing rings within your range and explain the difference which could have eluded you otherwise.

One of the major drawbacks is not being able to actually see your future engagement ring. Although a lot of the value of your diamond center is ascribed by details too small to be seen by the naked eye, there are other qualities that need to be compared in person. Which one offers the most sparkle, which setting suits your hand, which ring takes your breath away? It’s impossible through a screen, there’s absolutely no comparison to seeing the ring and making that connection in person.

Put in the leg work, make a visit, this is the ring with which you’re promising your life to another. Make it the right one.

For more on online engagement ring shopping: The Plunge