All About Diamonds
There is a reason diamonds are the traditional center stone for an engagement ring, and it isn't just because of the sparkle! Diamonds are the hardest and most durable stone, making them perfect for a ring that you'll be wearing for years to come.
Diamonds are graded and priced based on 4 key elements - Color, Clarity, Cut, and Carat weight. While cut refers specifically to the technical cutting of the diamond, it also lends to the shape of the stone such as an oval, cushion, round, etc. There are endless cuts of diamonds to consider, but we'll get into that later!
Let's start with the diamond cut...
Diamond Cut
The way a diamond is cut is directly responsible for how much sparkle it has, and isn't that what we love about diamonds? Even a large diamond won't sparkle properly if it isn't cut well. If we laid out three identical clarity and color graded diamonds, but each had a different cut grade, the difference would be notable, especially in natural light!
Pro tip: our Skeie's diamond is a triple excellent cut round brilliant, and was designed for optimal light return. If you're dream diamond is a round, ask our bridal specialists about our signature Skeie's AGS Ideal Round Brilliant!
Diamond Color
Diamonds are graded face down, and go from a D (colorless) to a Z (noticeable yellow tiny). Many people note that even up to a G can be colorless to the naked eye.
Diamond color is all about perception; for some, the stark white of a D color diamond may be unappealing, to others the warmth of an I color may feel more natural. After all, a colorless-graded diamond is more expensive because it's more rare, not necessarily because it's more beautiful.
Image from the Gemological Institute of America
Pro tip: If you're setting your diamond in yellow gold, you can comfortably stay in the H-K range.
Diamond Clarity
Clarity refers to the presence and visibility of inclusions, those little bits of mother nature sprinkled in your diamond. Inclusions can be useful in identifying your diamond, so these aren't a bad thing! The clarity range starts at Included (I), where some inclusions can be seen with the naked eye, and scales all the way up to a Flawless (F) diamond, which has no inclusions inside and perfect polishing on the outside.
The clarity is determined by the number of inclusions that are visible under 10x magnification.
Image from the American Gem Society
Pro tip: If you want to prioritize carat weight, opting for a diamond in the SI1-VS2 range is the perfect way to maximize budget and have a diamond that looks completely eye-clean!
Diamond Carat Weight
Did you know that carat does not equal measurements of the diamond? Carat refers specifically to the weight of the diamond, another reason it's so important to consider excellent-cut diamonds. When a diamond is cut poorly, it's carat weight may not be represented by it's size. You could end up with a diamond that says 1 carat, but actually wears a bit smaller because it was cut too deep.
Pro tip: there is something called a "magic number" that happens when a diamond hits 1 carat, 1.5 carat, 2 carat, etc., and it means that you pay a premium because your diamond has a recognizable size weight. By staying in the .90-.95 range, you can maximize other elements of diamond statistics, and still get the same look as a 1.00 carat! Working with our bridal experts means that you get the full experience and transparent choices. We want you to understand all of your options and we will help you make the best decision for what you want to prioritize.
Diamond Shape
Okay, here is where it gets really fun... the shape of your diamond! There are endless options, and even within one shape, like an oval, there can be a variety of cuts that make it more elongated or more rounded. These are the most-requested diamond shapes we source, but it doesn't end here! If you want some really fun ideas, reach out to our Bridal team for more information on kite diamonds, heart-cuts, and more!
We recommend trying several diamond shapes on in person. Sometimes the way one cut looks online isn't quite how it feels in person; for example, emerald and radiant cuts often don't appear smaller for carat weight because of the way they are cut, whereas a round or an oval may spread larger.
Once you've chosen your diamond shape, our specialists will walk you through a range of options depending on what's most important to you - budget, carat weight, diamond characteristics, etc.
Get connected with our team by setting an appointment now!
