In a perfect world, every diamond would be flawless and have the best qualities. However, because we don’t live in a perfect world, all diamonds are unique and may carry some flaws. That isn’t to say that diamonds can’t still be gorgeous, beautiful, or one-of-a-kind. In fact, diamonds with flaws helps to set them apart from the other diamonds in the world, or at least in your social circles. If every diamond was perfect, your diamond wouldn’t have a unique story to go along with it.

We’re here to help you pick a diamond that both meets your standards while still keeping some of its unique qualities.

Pick a Carat Weight
The word ‘carat’ is often used to discuss or determine how large a diamond is. This is a misconception. The correct use for carat is to refer to the weight of the diamond itself, not its size. There’s no standard in place that determines what size or weight of diamond you should get, although it’s common to hear that “the bigger the diamond, the better.” This will depend on you and your significant other’s personal preferences. Sometimes you can find a bigger sized diamond that actually weighs less, often cutting down the cost.

But let’s not forget there is more to a diamond than simply how large it is.

Figure Out the Shape
The majority of diamonds sold around the world are round brilliants. While they are the most popular and the most brilliant, they also come with the most expensive price tag. If you are treating your significant other to a surprise, a round brilliant diamond is one of the safest bets you can make. Make sure that you think about the shape before you purchase, however, as you are the only person that knows your significant other and what they may enjoy.

For this reason, there’s no true hierarchy of diamond shapes. No diamond shape is better than another. Each diamond shape has its own benefits and disadvantages that should be considered before making your purchase.

Determine the Cut
The cut of a diamond determines the diamond’s finish and proportions. If you want a diamond that is beautiful, you have to make sure that the angles and proportions are perfect in order to get the look you’re after. Cuts are categorized by poor, fair, good very good, and excellent ratings. When choosing a diamond for an engagement, you should aim for very good or excellent.

Pick the Clarity
Many diamonds will have a natural defect, called an inclusion. These are completely normal, as they’re formed during the diamond’s crystallization when deep underground. Inclusions are unique to each diamond, similar to how each snowflake is entirely unique. There are many different kinds of inclusions and some may actually help to enhance the beauty of the diamond. However, if you want to find a diamond where the inclusions are not visible or very hard to see, you’ll need to look for diamonds with an “SI” (short for slightly included) grade or better.

There are many factors to consider when you’re picking a ring for an engagement or other special occasion. This is why you want to make sure that you take the time to consider all of the factors that go into a well thought-out decision. If you have any questions about diamonds, give us a call today and we’ll help you find the perfect diamond.