| |
|
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
We recommend that instead of worrying about
the style of her overall, first decide on the shape
of the diamond you want and your budget.
Round, square, pear, emerald cut, radiant or marquis are the
most popular of the many styles of a diamond.
Remember Round Brilliants will cost more per carat weight
than fancy shapes. So if she isn’t set on a Round try
an Oval, Pear or Marquise. These stones tend to be “spready”
which mean they look bigger than they weigh. You can get
a lovely shape for a little less and it looks bigger.
The market is geared towards the Round Brilliant diamond and
the demand is always there. Popular new shapes may get expensive
for a while, and then later go out of fashion. If long-term
investment is important, stick to the Rounds. |
| |
 |
| You can get amazing diamonds without
breaking your personal bank. Set a number and then
comparison shop so you can get the best diamond
for the money. Determine if you want a big diamond
or the best quality. A large size does not guarantee
quality and visa versa; weather it is a .50 or a
4.50ct diamond, a certified
diamond is always the safest and best way to
go. Oh and don’t forget to include money for
the setting. |
| |
 |
Cut
Diamond cutting techniques have been refined since the fifteenth
century when master craftsmen passed down their art form
from generation to generation. Today, the finest diamond
cutting still occurs in the hands of a skilled craftsman.
Cut determines the fire and brilliance of the diamond. If
the diamond is cut with just the right proportions and at
certain precise angles, the stone's ability to reflect and
refract light will be maximized. When a round diamond is
cut to ideal proportions, light will bounce freely within
the diamond, and reflect back out of the crown without escaping
through the opposite side or the bottom of the stone. The
skill and experience of the diamond cutter will determine
the stone's brilliance and scintillation.
Carat
Weight
This is the weight of the diamond measured in carats. One
carat is divided into 100 'points', so that a diamond of
75 points weighs 0.75 carats. Carat weight is the easiest
of the 4 C's to determine. But two diamonds of equal weight
can have very unequal value, depending on their cut, color
and clarity.
Color
Diamonds range in color from colorless to yellow. Even though most diamonds appear colorless to the untrained eye, the majority of diamonds contain traces of yellow or brown. The closer the stone is to colorless, the more valuable the diamond.
Clarity
Most diamonds contain very tiny natural birthmarks known as inclusions. However, the fewer and smaller the inclusions are, the less likely they will interfere with the passage of light through the diamond, and the more beautiful the diamond will be. Diamond is nature's material that is most capable of producing a maximum amount of brilliance. A diamond that is free of both inclusions and surface blemishes is very rare and therefore more valuable.
|
| |
 |
| Remember the cost of the mounting
when you determine your budget. If the budget
is getting tight you can always upgrade the mounting
later. Mountings can also be fairly inexpensive
without side stones and if
you don't buy in platinum. You can present
your mate with a diamond in a simple 14kt gold mounting
and allow her to design the perfect look. |
| |
 |
| To determine a style she will adore
you may have to do a little research. What style
is her home? Contemporary or traditional? Check
the jewelry she already owns. Is the majority
white gold (silver colored) or Yellow Gold? Big
and bold or small and simple?
Think about were she shops for clothing and shoes:
trendy or classic? Sneak a peak at some bride
magazines (oh, c’mon, only paper) and
tear out any styles you think she would like.
Use the ads to Locate the perfect ring from Maxaria!
And of course the oldest trick in the book, ask
her best friend or sister to help you. Warning:
this is always risky — your accomplice
may not be able to keep the secret. Also remember
that even good friends/siblings can get a little
jealousy when helping you pick out a diamond.
Make sure you know your accomplice well.
If you’re at your wits end and you just
need the insight from a professional all you
have to do is ask. We can’t wait to help
you. Also visit The
Perfect Gift for more advice. |
| |
|
|
