| Guide to Diamond Engagement Rings | | | | (GIA) has developed a grading system using |
| | | | alphabet letters D to Z that compares the |
| Congratulations! | | | | color of a diamond to the color of |
| | | | pre-selected gems. Later letters indicate |
| The wedding ring is the single most important | | | | deeper colors. |
| piece of jewelry that you will give to your | | | | |
| spouse in your lifetime. The ring symbolizes | | | | Shape |
| your everlasting love and devotion to your | | | | |
| spouse. It not only symbolizes your love for | | | | Round |
| each other, it also marks one of the most | | | | |
| important occasions in your life. To make the | | | | By far the most preferred diamond shape, the |
| best decision when buying a diamond ring, you | | | | round-brilliant cut is also the most |
| should be ready with as much information as | | | | optically brilliant because of its 360-degree |
| possible. | | | | symmetrical shape. A round brilliant is a |
| | | | great choice if you want the most sparkle and |
| Diamond Grading Terminology | | | | the most enduring classic shape. |
| | | | |
| A diamond's cost is based on the | | | | Princess |
| characteristics known as the "4 C's". | | | | |
| Clarity, Colour and Cut (proportion) are the | | | | The princess cut is a modern classic of |
| quality elements which together with the | | | | clean, square lines and beautiful sparkle. |
| Carat Weight determine the value of a stone. | | | | This shape is the perfect choice if you |
| | | | prefer a square or rectangular outline but |
| 1. Diamond Carat Weight | | | | want the brilliance of a round. |
| | | | |
| When shopping for an engagement ring, one | | | | Marquise |
| quality that is always discussed is the | | | | |
| diamond carats. Carat is the measure of a | | | | The marquise cut is a regal, elongated shape |
| diamond's weight, though it is often confused | | | | with tapering points at both ends. Its shape |
| with size. One carat is equivalent to 200 | | | | tends to flatter the finger, making it appear |
| milligrams. | | | | longer. A marquise-cut diamond should be |
| | | | mounted with six prongs: four positioned on |
| 2. Diamond Clarity | | | | the sides to hold the body of the stone |
| | | | securely and two V-shaped prongs to protect |
| Diamond clarity is critical for engagement | | | | the points at either end, the most vulnerable |
| rings. Nature seldom creates flawless | | | | part of the diamond. |
| diamonds, and most stones have various types | | | | |
| of flaws. Inclusions are additional minerals | | | | Emerald |
| that may cause a streak or stripe through the | | | | |
| stone, and fractures are miniscule cracks and | | | | The emerald-cut diamond is among the most |
| splits that look like tiny crystals, clouds | | | | classic of diamond shapes. Its clean lines |
| or feathers. Clarity is the scale of | | | | come from step-cutting, or parallel line |
| perfection established by the Gemological | | | | facets. It is always cut with blocked corners |
| Institute of America (GIA) that measures the | | | | and is usually cut to a rectangular outline, |
| number and magnitude of flaws in a diamond. | | | | although a few are cut to be more square. |
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| 3. Diamond Cut | | | | Oval |
| | | | |
| The cut of a diamond refers to the angles and | | | | The oval cut is most similar a |
| proportions of the stone and has nothing to | | | | round-brilliant cut and combines the round's |
| do with its shape. Diamond cuts are designed | | | | sparkle with a flattering, elongated outline. |
| cut to internally reflect light from one | | | | It makes a good choice for someone who wants |
| mirror-like facet to another, dispersing and | | | | a unique shape but loves the fire and |
| reflecting it through the top of the stone. | | | | brilliance of a round diamond. |
| This brilliance is known as the diamond's | | | | |
| "fire." | | | | Heart |
| | | | |
| 4. Diamond Color | | | | The heart-shaped diamond is the most romantic |
| | | | of diamond shapes. It is similar to the pear |
| Diamond color ranges from clear to varying | | | | shape but has a cleft in the rounded end that |
| shades of yellow and brown. A diamond's color | | | | forms the lobes of the heart. The complexity |
| rating refers to its degree of coloration, | | | | of the shape requires skilled cutting to |
| and the Gemological Institute of America | | | | ensure proper brilliance. |