Choosing the right engagement ring can feel like an overwhelming task, especially if you are finding the right ring on your own. Our diamond buyers at our La Jolla locations see many partners come into our store looking for the right ring, full of anxiety wondering how they will ever find the right ring for their soul mate. Though our diamond buyers don’t know your special someone personally, we can offer a place to start and some basic considerations to help you narrow down your options.
Budget
Your budget will determine the direction of your search for the perfect engagement ring. The rule of thumb used to be that you saved 3 months salary and that was how much you would spend on your ring. Today, with higher paying jobs and careers, the 3 month rule no longer applies unless you can afford or want to purchase a ring with a high price tag. As you consider how much to spend on your ring, first think about how much you can afford and then do your research or ask our diamond buyers how much you can buy.
Four C’s
The Four C’s are something that every partner should know about as they consider what ring they want to buy for their special someone. The Four C’s refers to the four characteristics of diamonds to consider: clarity, carat, cut, and color.
Clarity
Clarity refers to how many imperfections are in the diamond. The clarity of a diamond is graded on a scale. Clarity is considered one of the least important qualities of a diamond, for most diamonds that you will find in engagement rings have imperfections that are invisible to the naked eye. If you have a limited budget, often choosing an “Eye-Clean” diamond can save you money while also giving you a beautiful stone.
Carat
A diamond’s carat is a means for measuring a diamond’s weight. Explained on a very basic level, the higher the carat, the bigger the diamond. However, there is more to know. A larger carat diamond that is cut poorly can appear smaller, and a smaller carat diamond that is cut well may appear bigger. Often when buying a diamond, some will “Buy-Shy,” i.e. instead of buying a 2 carat, they will buy a 1.9 carat diamond. The difference between these two carat sizes is unnoticeable.
Color
The color of the diamond refers to just that: the amount of color in a diamond. A diamond that is of a higher grade will be colorless. Diamonds that are of a lower grade will exhibit a slight yellow color. Color is the second most important characteristic to consider when choosing a diamond.
Cut
The cut of your diamond is the most important characteristic. The cut of a diamond will determine the amount of sparkle that a diamond has and, as we mentioned earlier, can either hurt or help the carat size of a diamond. If a diamond is cut properly, then light will return through the top of the diamond and will not leak out the bottom. When looking for the perfect diamond, invest in a diamond with the highest quality cut.
These are just some of the characteristics to consider when buying an engagement ring. If you have any questions about buying a ring, contact H. Moradi Jewelers! We would love to help you find the perfect ring from our extensive collection. Have ring that you no longer want? Sell it to us. Visit our website to learn more.