3 Tips for Buying a Quality Diamond

Shopping for diamonds and jewelry is an exciting, albeit overwhelming, process. This kind of shopping trip usually accompanies an engagement, anniversary, or another type of celebration. It can sometimes be hard to know what to look for in a diamond, but there's no need to panic. Before you jump in the car and drive to the nearest jeweler, you're going to want to keep these three helpful tips in mind.

Remember The Four Cs

Although diamonds have been sought-after since the 1800s, it wasn't until the mid-20th century that we had a universal method for determining diamond quality. Jewelers refer to this as system as the 4Cs: Color, Clarity, Cut, and Carat Weight. Color refers to a lack of color, meaning that the most high-quality diamonds have no hue and should look clear, like water. Clarity refers to an absence of inclusions and blemishes within the stone. A diamond's cut is the most challenging aspect of a diamond to analyze. Cut determines how well a diamond will be able to sparkle and catch the light. This is the quality that makes a beautiful engagement ring catch the eye of everyone in the room. Carat is the easiest of these terms to grasp. Carat refers to the weight of a diamond. The larger the carat, the heavier the stone and thus the larger the price tag. Next time you are shopping for a diamond ring, earrings, or necklace, remember to keep the 4Cs in mind!

Consider the Shape and Settings

The 4Cs aren't the only thing you need to worry about while shopping for a diamond or piece of jewelry. Quality is key, but you also need to make sure that you are going to enjoy your purchase for years to come. The shape of the stone should be a huge factor for those shopping for the perfect diamond. Natural and lab diamonds come in several various shapes such as pear, emerald, and marquise cuts. The most popular of these is the round-cut diamond, known for its intense sparkle and shine.

Although round-cut diamonds are the standard, there is a diamond for every style and occasion. Each cut has its pros and cons, so think it over carefully before choosing the final product. A diamond's setting goes hand in hand with the shape of the stone. You should also consider how many prongs you need to keep your perfect diamond safe and secure for a long time.

Consider the Ethics of Your Purchase

Aside from considering the 4Cs and the shape of your diamond, the next step should be to consider the ethical implications of purchasing a diamond. Diamonds form naturally deep within the Earth due to incredible pressure and heat. Volcanic eruptions bring raw diamonds to the surface, which are later mined in various ways. Due to their location deep within the earth, mining diamonds is dangerous and labor-intensive. Although some mines produce natural diamonds ethically, many do not. A few laws have been put in place to guarantee that these workers are safe from dangerous conditions, but there is no way to be sure.

However, this doesn't mean that you have to forgo buying a diamond altogether. Lab manufactured diamonds, such as the ones in these Agape Diamonds reviews, are impossible to distinguish from natural diamonds. This way, you can have the jewel of your dreams without worrying about where it came from. Buying fine jewelry is an investment, and you should put your money toward a purchase that will reflect your ethical standards without sacrificing beauty.

Shopping for a diamond should be exciting and fun. With these tips in mind, you can be sure to find the perfect diamond no matter the occasion.