Modern wedding fashion offers a variety of designs and types of wedding rings. Despite the enormous choice, the diamond remains the most popular element of this jewelry, which carries a sacred meaning. This timeless stone is strongly associated with wealth and romance. How can you choose the best diamond engagement ring for yourself? You cannot make a mistake, as you only get such a piece of jewelry once in a lifetime. We will give some advice on what nuances you should pay attention to.

The shape of a diamond

Perhaps the shape of the stone is the main criterion when choosing a diamond ring. It is even more important than its size and weight, although many make the mistake of thinking otherwise. The shape of a diamond can affect its visual perception, making the stone look bigger in the eyes of others. Cut types such as emerald, oval, and some others have this property. Another reason to pay attention to this characteristic is brilliance. Different diamond shapes have different shines, and round and oval stones, for example, have the most sparkle due to the number and placement of their facets.

Princess and cushion cuts are also known for their exceptional brilliance. The appearance of a diamond is also directly related to its cut: some prefer classic simplicity, while others may opt for an unusual double heart-shaped stone. When choosing the shape of the diamond, it’s important to consider that you’ll be wearing the jewelry for most of your life. Don’t rush to choose something too unique or trendy, as fashion trends come and go, but classics are forever. It’s also important to ask your partner which design they prefer.

Size

The second aspect to consider is the size of the stone. The bigger the diamond, the more expensive it is, so think carefully about it. There are only three basic sizes: small (<0.29 carats), medium (0.3-0.99 carats), and large (1 carat and above). The advantage of small diamonds is that flaws are not as visible and can be hidden by the cut, but with large diamonds, the clarity is of great importance. Another thing to consider is that the quality of cut affects the proportions of the stone. A large-size diamond may seem flat because of its large diameter. Professionals advise choosing not-so-big diamonds but Good or Very Good cut. This way, you get perfect proportions, symmetry, and brilliance at a reasonable price.

Color and purity

Characteristics such as color and clarity are also very important when choosing a diamond. The clarity of a diamond indicates whether or not it has flaws and foreign inclusions, which can be seen under ten times magnification. The grading scale for clarity falls within 11 values. The stones of the highest quality are identified by the letter F, which stands for flawless. In Russia, there is a different classification – numerical, from 1 to 7. Diamonds with a clarity of 1-2 are considered perfect, while 3 and 4 are also a great option, but they are cheaper.

The color of a diamond also matters. Not everyone knows this, but these stones come in a very wide range of colors, from blue to purple. In nature, most colorless diamonds have a slight tinge of yellow. The more colorless the diamond, the rarer and more expensive it is. For white diamonds, there is a scale (from D to Z) beginning with clear white diamonds and ending with yellowish diamonds. This scale was adopted by the Gemological Institute of America. In Russia, there is a numerical system for evaluating color, where the closer to one, the more transparent a diamond is.

There are other characteristics of diamonds, but you have to pay special attention to these two. By considering color and clarity, you can easily find your perfect engagement ring.