When buying a diamond ring, learn the four C’s
Buying a diamond ring can be intimidating. What do you look for? How much should you pay? Should you buy online or in a store?
Demystify the process by learning about the four C’s: carat, color, clarity and cut. This system of grading diamonds was developed 60 years ago by the Gemological Institute of America.
Then do some research online or visit jewelers. You’ll soon understand your options. Here’s a primer on the four C’s and other advice.
The four C’s
– Carat is a weight measurement. A 1-carat diamond weighs 200 milligrams. But there’s no ideal size for a diamond. It depends on your budget and taste. Some women want a big rock; others prefer a delicate, less blingy look. A ring with three small diamonds totaling 1 carat costs less than a single 1-carat stone of similar quality.
– Color is graded by letter, starting with D for rare, colorless diamonds. E and F are considered excellent, but G or H diamonds will look just as good to the naked eye. Farther down the scale, you’ll notice differences.
– Clarity measures diamond flaws, called inclusions, which might appear as tiny spots, clouds or cavities in the stone. The clarity grade SI stands for “slightly included.” VS is a better grade, “very slightly included.” VVS is even higher, “very, very slightly included.” Most inclusions in the VVS-SI range cannot be seen by the untrained eye.
– Cut measures workmanship, rather than a diamond’s inherent qualities. The way a stone is cut enhances sparkle and luminosity and can hide flaws. The best cut rating, ideal, is rare. About a third of diamonds are rated fair, good or very good.
The formula
What should you look for in each of the C’s?
“The one thing you should not trade off on is the quality of the cut,” said Russell Shor, senior industry analyst for the Gemological Institute. “Even a nice color stone, if not well-cut, will be dull and lifeless. But if it’s a middle color – like K – and it’s got a real excellent cut, it will pop and flash with all the sparkle that diamonds are famous for.”
After choosing the cut, “balance the color, clarity and carat weight based on your personal preference to find the best diamond for you.
For $2,000, you might pick a 1-carat, K-color stone with a slight inclusion, or a half-carat, G-color, with a very slight inclusion. An L or M-colored diamond at that price “will get you a 2-carat honker, but you’ll definitely notice the yellow and you’ll see some inclusions,” Shor said.
Consumers pay $3,500 on average for engagement rings, according to Jewelers of America. On the low end, Shor recommends spending at least $700 to $1,000.
It’s easy to compare options online. At BlueNile.com, set your price range, then play with carat size and the other C’s to see tradeoffs.
Shape and style
Engagement rings traditionally feature gold bands with a center diamond, though some have smaller diamonds on either side.
Melissa Colgan, senior style editor for Martha Stewart Weddings, said the engagement ring that Prince William gave to Kate Middleton, a large sapphire surrounded by diamonds, has increased interest in rings with other gemstones.
FILE – This Sept. 1, 2011 file photo shows “The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond,” a 33.19 carat a gift to the actress from Richard Burton at Christie’s, in New York. The 33.19-carat diamond ring given to Elizabeth Taylor by actor Richard Burton sold for over $8.8 million at auction in New York Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011. The ring was purchased in 1968 for $305,000. But diamond experts caution that the average diamond ring bought for a few thousand dollars by a consumer, while it will never be worthless, will not appreciate much if at all in value. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)
FILE – This Sept. 1, 2011 file photo shows “The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond,” a 33.19 carat a gift to the actress from Richard Burton at Christie’s, in New York. The 33.19-carat diamond ring given to Elizabeth Taylor by actor Richard Burton sold for over $8.8 million at auction in New York Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011. The ring was purchased in 1968 for $305,000. But diamond experts caution that the average diamond ring bought for a few thousand dollars by a consumer, while it will never be worthless, will not appreciate much if at all in value. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)
This undated publicity photo provided by Ocappi.com shows six “try on rings” made from silver and cubic zirconia. Shoppers looking for diamond rings on Ocappi’s just-launched website can order the replica rings to see how different styles, shapes and stone sizes will look on their fingers, something that’s hard to judge from most online retailers. The replicas are shipped at no charge to the consumer, as long as they are returned, and there is no obligation to buy. (AP Photo/Ocappi, Ray Buonanno)
FILE – In this May 16, 2010 file photo, Prince William holds Kate Middleton’s hand with her engagement ring which once belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales, on the day their engagement was announced in London. Prince William revealed that he proposed using the engagement ring of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, to make sure Diana “didn’t miss out on the excitement.” Publicity surrounding the royal engagement ring sparked an interest among average consumers in adding gemstones like sapphires and rubies to their diamond engagement rings, according to Melissa Colgan, senior style editor of Martha Stewart Weddings. (AP Photo/Arthur Edwards, pool, File)
This publicity photo provided by Gemological Institute of America shows seven diamond cut shapes, from left to right: cushion, Asscher, emerald, modified radiant, oval, marquise, and pear. A simple round cut is the most common for modern diamond rings but some of the more unusual shapes, which have a retro look, are experiencing a resurgence, according to Melissa Colgan, senior style editor for Martha Stewart Weddings, because they are being seen on celebrities. (AP Photo/Gemological Institute of America)
This publicity photo provided by BlueNile.com shows a model wearing a diamond ring. About 11 percent of diamond rings are bought online, and Blue Nile is one of the largest online-only retailers of diamond rings, with 325,000 couples having purchased engagement rings from the site. Shoppers can easily compare the carat weight, color, clarity and cut of various stones, and the site has a 30-day return policy as well. (AP Photo/Blue Nile)
This publicity photo provided by David Tutera for Mon Cheri shows a two-piece organza and lace dress set available in ivory or white. The strapless full A-line gown (detachable spaghetti and halter straps included) has a sweetheart neckline, a directionally ruched bodice with a hand-beaded lace motif at an asymmetrically dropped waistline, and a multi-tiered asymmetrical skirt with organza bands with a chapel length train. The dress set includes a matching illusion and hand-beaded scalloped lace bolero jacket with cap sleeves and back covered buttons. (AP Photo/David Tutera for Mon Cheri)
FILE – In this April 29, 2011 file photo, Prince William and his bride Kate walk down the aisle at Westminster Abbey, following their marriage, in London. New bridal collections are dominated by dresses with no sleeves, even though that takes many women out of their comfort zone. There was a brief period when sleeves were hot, after Kate Middleton wore a long-sleeve Alexander McQueen gown to become the Duchess of Cambridge, but it didn?t last and bare arms are again the norm. (AP Photo/David Jones, Pool, File)
FILE – In this April 29, 2011 file photo, Kate Middleton enters Westminster Abbey on the arm of her Father, Michael Middleton, for her wedding to Prince William in central London. New bridal collections are dominated by dresses with no sleeves, even though that takes many women out of their comfort zone. There was a brief period when sleeves were hot, after Kate Middleton wore a long-sleeve Alexander McQueen gown to become the Duchess of Cambridge, but it didn?t last and bare arms are again the norm. (AP Photo/Tom Pilston, Pool, File)