What To Look For In A Diamond Ring: The 4Cs
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to choosing a diamond ring for that special someone.
Other than the style and visual beauty, there are several things to look for in a diamond ring. Whether you are choosing a diamond ring for your loved one or your are choosing it together, you must consider these 4Cs – cut, colour, clarity and carat.
Known as the universal language, cut, colour, clarity and carat is the best way to find the ideal diamond. Knowing each of the 4Cs will help you determine what diamond fits your style and budget. Knowing what to look for in a diamond ring will make your choice much easier, and below are these descriptions in more detail to help you in your quest in purchasing that perfect diamond ring.
COLOUR
Colour grades of a diamond start from colourless to the presence of noticeable yellow colour. With D being the highest colour grade, and Z being the lowest, purchasing a diamond that is higher on the scale will ensure there is little or no colour. To avoid pale yellow colour, it is advised to choose a diamond that is H or higher. With the naked eye not being able to distinguish between letters such as G-H or I-J, this can help you purchase a diamond less in price but still a great colour.
CUT
Different to the shape of the diamond, the cut determines how well the diamond unleashes light. The cut is the greatest influence of the diamond’s sparkle and this should be an important consideration when choosing your diamond. If a diamond is poorly cut, it can appear dull and not be as sparkly. With the scale starting at poor/fair, good, very good and ideal, choosing a diamond that is cut ‘very good’ or ‘ideal’ will ensure that it will have a great sparkle.
CLARITY
The clarity of a diamond is the absence of inclusions and blemishes. With the surface flaws known as the blemishes and internal defects known as inclusions, these tiny imperfections can only be sen with a microscope not effecting the beauty of the diamond. The diamonds with the least and smallest inclusions get the highest grades which start at FL (flawless – less than 1% of diamonds are FL clarity), IF (Internally Flawless), VVS1, VVS2 (very very slightly included), VS1, VS2 (very slightly included) and SI2, SI1 (slightly included diamonds).