An engagement ring is one of the most special jewellery gifts you will ever buy – it represents your love and commitment to sharing a life together. As such, there is a lot to consider when shopping for a diamond ring. What’s her preferred diamond shape and setting? Does she mind lab grown diamonds?
An engagement ring is one of the most special jewellery gifts you will ever buy – it represents your love and commitment to sharing a life together. As such, there is a lot to consider when shopping for a diamond ring. What’s her preferred diamond shape and setting? Does she mind lab grown diamonds?
Planning for your proposal is an exciting time, but it can also be stressful trying to make sure you have her perfect dream ring while sticking to your budget. Here’s our tip: getting to know the 4Cs will make a difference in your diamond shopping journey while staying within budget. Let’s explore more below!
Why the diamond 4Cs matter
The 4Cs have become a universal diamond grading system since the 1940s to judge the quality of a diamond and determine its value. No matter where you are purchasing your diamond ring from, these characteristics help you compare diamonds to one another.
With this system, they serve as a resourceful tool for shoppers – when you fully understand the diamond 4Cs, you can prioritise some Cs over others to find a diamond that falls within your budget.
Introducing the 4Cs
The 4Cs are colour, clarity, carat weight and cut. Each C has its own grading scale for evaluating quality. Knowing where your diamond falls in the spectrum allows you to understand its attributes and qualities, so you can make a better-informed decision and get your money’s worth.
– Diamond colour
Diamonds are found in naturally occurring colours, like yellow, brown and grey – but do you know that colourless diamonds are considered more valuable and rare? The industry standard’s colour grade ranges from D (colourless) to Z (light yellow or brown).
This makes the D grade diamonds the rarest and most expensive. However, this doesn’t mean you have to break the bank. Near-colourless diamonds that fall under G-H or I-J offer slight warmth that isn’t noticeable to the human eye, giving great value for the quality.
– Diamond clarity
Diamonds are also graded based on the natural inclusions (internal defects) and blemishes (surface flaws) they have. The scale is divided into 6 categories and 11 diamond clarity grades – starting from FL, IF, VVS1, all the way to S12 and I1.
A flawless diamond is 100% free of inclusions and incredibly rare, making the price even more expensive. Most diamonds sold today contain inclusions that are undetectable, since clarity is graded using magnification tools. Unless you’re buying a diamond over one carat or considering certain fancy-shaped diamonds, you can afford to save on cost with a lower clarity grade!
– Diamond carat weight
Carat weight is the unit of measurement used to indicate the weight of the diamond, though it is commonly mistaken for the diamond’s size. One diamond carat is equivalent to 200 mg. There is also a close relationship between the carat weight and price, which means slight differences in carat weight may result in a huge cost difference!
Instead of a 1 carat, you can opt for a 0.9 carat and save a lot of money – since it would be nearly impossible to discern between the two. Bigger carat weight doesn’t necessarily mean a bigger size; there is also the matter of settings, cut and ring size that play a role.
– Diamond cut
Saving the best for last – a diamond’s cut grading is undeniably the most important C factor. That’s because it refers to the dimensions and proportions of a diamond’s surfaces, which influence a diamond’s beauty and sparkle. Even a flawless diamond can look dull if the cut is too deep or shallow.
The grading scale is often Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair and Poor. The diamond will be evaluated for its brightness, fire and scintillation – which essentially informs how much light reflects from the stone. So if you want to get a beautiful and sparkling diamond, prioritise on the cut!
The wallet-friendly choice: Lab grown diamonds
Beyond just the 4Cs, you can also save more money with lab grown diamonds! They are physically, chemically and optically identical to their mined counterparts – thanks to the advanced science and technology which allows the formation of diamonds in the lab under a controlled environment. This means they also subjected to the same 4Cs Diamond Grading system, which assures shoppers of their quality.
Aside from the differing origins, lab grown diamonds also come at a more affordable price point. You can expect to pay almost half for a typical 1 carat lab grown diamond ring, or get a bigger stone for the same price as a mined diamond! You no longer have to bust your budget when proposing to your loved one with her dream ring.
At SK Jewellery, we wish to help you celebrate life’s important milestones. Explore our Star Carat collection which carries stunning lab diamonds for the ideal engagement ring that suit your budget and preferences. Book an appointment to visit our physical showrooms and get a close-up look at these beauties!
