When shopping for the perfect diamond engagement ring for your significant other, there are things or essential factors that you should consider. Have you or haven’t you heard about the 4Cs of a diamond engagement ring? Well, if the term sounds new to your ears, then you better keep your eyes on the next pages.
Read further and find out everything you need to know about the 4Cs of a diamond and how it can save up much of your time during engagement ring shopping.
1. Carat weight
The term carat is often misunderstood, particularly during engagement ring shopping. Well, term carat weight is referring to a diamond’s whole weight and not its size.
Aside from considering a diamond’s carat weight, it’s also necessary to consider the diamond’s cut when shopping for a diamond engagement ring. Heavier diamonds with an undesirable cut may look less enticing unlike lighter diamonds with an elegant cut.
2. Cut
The next C on the 4Cs of a diamond is the cut. A diamond’s cut has something to do with its sparkle rather that of its shape. It’s because a diamond’s cut affects its brilliance and elegance all at the same time.
Check out the list of the most popular diamond cuts to date:
- Asscher cut
The Asscher-cut diamond is the first diamond cut on the list, named after the jeweller who customised the design way back in 1902. Also known as the “square emerald” cut.
- Cushion cut
Next is the cushion-cut design, created in the 1800s. It’s mainly square with elegant rounded edges.
- Emerald cut
The emerald-cut diamond has large facets, which reveal an excellent clarity of the stone.
- Heart cut
Although heart-cut diamonds aren’t traditionally good as engagement rings, this is perfect for other celebratory events like Valentine’s Day, birthdays, anniversaries, and more.
- Marquise cut
The marquise-cut diamond showcase a long, narrow design that helps in maximising the carat size.
- Oval cut
The oval-cut diamond has an elongated style which best fits those who have long, slim fingers.
- Pear cut
Also known as teardrop cut, the pear cut is a hybrid style that’s perfect on a light, thin band.
- Princess cut
The princess-cut diamond is a widely known engagement ring style. It has a broad, face-up and pyramidal shape that makes the diamond appear larger than it is.
- Radiant cut
In 1977, Henry Grossbardcatches invented the radian-cut style, which simulates an emerald-cut diamond. However, the radian-cut design gives a diamond an extra sparkle.
- Round cut
The round-cut diamond is the most popular or the crowd’s favourite of all the diamond cuts as it gives a diamond a maximum brilliance that’s making every ring more stunning.
3. Clarity
A diamond’s clarity is the evaluation of small flaws both on the surface and within the stone. Blemishes are flaws you’ll see on the diamond’s surface while inclusion is internal.
However, the diamond’s flaws don’t often affect its beauty since inclusion is rarely visible with a naked eye.
Buying a high clarity grade to avoid the visibility of imperfections, and the higher the clarity grade, the more sparkle the diamond has, are two of the many misconceptions about a gemstone’s clarity.
4. Colour
The colour refers to a diamond’s lack or absence of colour and is the second most crucial factor to consider during engagement ring shopping. The lesser the colour of a diamond, the higher its grade, which means the more expensive it might cost.
Diamonds with a complete absence of colour are the rarest of all, unlike diamonds in any commonly transpiring colour such as brown, green, grey, pink, white, and yellow.
See the diamond’s colour chart below:
| D |
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| E |
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| F |
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| G – H |
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| I – J |
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The engagement ring shopping is one of the most crucial parts of the marriage proposal preparations and planning. To get the best engagement ring for your significant other, you must first know the factors that you need to consider, especially when shopping for a diamond engagement ring. That’s why learning about the 4Cs is a great advantage for engagement ring shoppers like you.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kath Ramirez took up journalism as her Bachelor’s Degree with Bachelor of library and information science on the side and now writes for Musson Jewellers. It’s a Sydney-based jewellery design business that has been providing the world with the quality pieces of jewellery for over 40 years. After a busy working week, you’ll either see her binge-watch on Netflix, cuddling with her fur babies, bonding with her family or devouring her mom and sisters’ homemade goodies.
