5 Things to Consider When Buying Diamond Engagement Rings

Diamond engagement rings are very popular — and for good reason. Diamonds are not only beautiful, but also incredibly durable and resistant to scratching or discolouration, which means they should last as long as your marriage. To ensure you get the best possible diamond engagement ring for your budget, take the time to learn about these key diamond characteristics.

1. Shape

Many people today opt for unusual diamond shapes for their engagement rings. While a pear, heart, or oval-shaped diamond is sure to make your ring more unique, bear in mind that round diamonds offer the greatest amount of sparkle due to the way the light reflects inside them.

2. Colour

One good way to make your diamond engagement ring stand out from the crowd is to opt for a coloured diamond. Diamonds come in a variety of shades, from blue to yellow to pink. Always consider how a coloured diamond will look against the metal you want to use for the band of the ring, as some shades can look odd against a gold band.

3. Cut

Jewellers use four grades to classify the quality of a diamond cut: poor, good, very good, and ideal. The better the cut grade, the more you can expect the diamond to sparkle, so go for the best you can afford.

4. Clarity

Clarity is a measure of the number of internal flaws that are present in a diamond. The highest grade of clarity is "flawless" or "FL" for short. However, this grade is very expensive.

Clarity matters most for larger diamonds, as flaws are unlikely to be noticeable in very small stones. If you cannot afford a single large diamond with a high clarity grade, consider a ring design that uses several small stones instead. This kind of ring can look just as beautiful and leaves you with a larger budget left over to plan your wedding and honeymoon.

5. Carat

Carat is a diamond measure that most people have heard of, but it is actually not the most important when shopping for a diamond engagement ring. Caret simply refers to the size of the diamond. In most cases, it is a better value for your money to opt for a lower-carat diamond that has a higher clarity and cut grade than to splash out on the biggest stone available. Smaller, higher-quality diamonds have much more sparkle and fewer flaws than larger, lower-quality ones.

Contact a seller of diamond engagement rings near you in order to learn more.