| What do you look for when choosing a diamond? | | | | oblong diamond shape with pointed ends is usually |
| This is perhaps one of the most important | | | | presented as a solitary stone although they are |
| purchases you will make in your life, right up there | | | | sometimes used together with several smaller |
| with buying a house and maybe even having kids | | | | diamonds. Interestingly enough, this style was |
| as well. With so many different styles and cuts to | | | | originally commissioned by King Louis XIV of |
| choose from, it is hard to know which is the right | | | | France and if rumors or anything to go by, it was |
| one, and what each one is, etc. It can get | | | | inspired by the smile of Marquise de Pompadour. |
| overwhelming. While each person must decide on | | | | Generally, grading diamonds is not an expertise |
| their own which one is right for them, here is a | | | | that most of us have. When a couple walks into a |
| brief explanation of what the major styles are | | | | jewelry store to look at an engagement ring, or |
| about. | | | | something just as special, there are many other |
| To start with, let's briefly talk about the process | | | | things on their minds than just picking out a ring. |
| to polish the diamonds. Uncut diamonds look very | | | | However, there are definitely some things to |
| similar to regular quartz crystal before they are | | | | know when going in that can help you make a |
| cut to size. They are taken and cut down with | | | | more informed decision about an investment that |
| diamond saws, and grinders until the are a fraction | | | | hopefully will last a lifetime. |
| of their original size, and then the jeweler cuts the | | | | Different cuts effect the diamonds brilliance, and |
| facets, cuts and polishes them into what you see | | | | the shape of the diamond is only one aspect of a |
| today. This is just a brief look at this aspect of | | | | quality diamond. Shapes also can effect its beauty |
| the diamond making process. | | | | and shine. Shapes like the pear, heart shape in |
| The are around 11 different traditional diamond | | | | sometimes even the Marquise sacrifice brilliance |
| cuts, and 4 newer styles. There are round, heart | | | | for their shape. Some shapes like the emerald, |
| shaped, square cut and its different variations. | | | | and Asscher may even make any flaws or |
| The round cuts are even shaped differently, with | | | | imperfections stand out more than some other |
| Marquise, oval and pear shaped. The newer styles | | | | styles. It is a good thing to check these closely. |
| include the Leo, which has a slightly flatter head | | | | The clearer the diamond, the better quality it is. |
| that the traditionally shaped round style. The | | | | Make sure that your diamonds are the clearest |
| Elexese cut, which has 60/60 proportion facets. | | | | possible to bring out the most sparkle. While the |
| The Ashoka is a specialty cut by William Goldberg, | | | | carat of the stone is less important than a good |
| and is a modernized version of the traditional | | | | cut, but there are certain shapes, oval, and the |
| cushion cut. By rounding the edges to the usual | | | | emerald, just to name a few, that are designed |
| rectangular shape, it is a more modern option to | | | | to give the illusion of a bigger size. This may be a |
| the more traditional cuts. | | | | big determining factor in your purchase. |
| The important thing to know about diamonds is | | | | Cost is often one of the biggest factors and |
| the facets. The more faceted it is the more | | | | obstacles when buying a diamond ring. The more |
| brilliantly it will look. The larger number of facets a | | | | unique the design, the more facets there are and |
| diamond has, the more brilliant it will appear and | | | | any specialty cuts are going to be more |
| the more valuable it will be. An ideally cut diamond | | | | expensive than more traditional styles. This is one |
| will have around 58 facets, but they also go as | | | | factor that needs to be considered when |
| high as the 66 facet Leo Diamond cut. The more | | | | purchasing a diamond ring. |
| facets, and more brilliance, the higher the cost will | | | | There are many other considerations. Whether |
| be. | | | | you choose to buy a stone that is already in a |
| Round diamonds and the squarish Princess cut, a | | | | setting, or buying the stone and ring separately |
| square diamond, are the most popular with most | | | | and putting them together. Many jewelers are |
| couples getting married. The round cut is the has | | | | flexible and can change the setting on the stone if |
| the classic elegance, and what woman can resist | | | | needed, but will often incur additional costs. |
| the Princess cut. The Marquise style which is an | | | | |