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How to Buy a Diamond
We, at Diamond Traces, believe that a well educated customer makes smart decisions.
Before you begin diamond shopping, we would like you to fully understand and be completely knowledgeable regarding your purchase.
This guide simplifies the four C's of diamonds - Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat weight, so that you can choose your diamond based on the same criteria a professional gemologist uses to grade them.
We hope this guide will be beneficial in helping to find the perfect diamond for you.
Please be advised that this information comes from feedback from our customers and statistics that have been recorded, but everyone should choose according to his/her own taste and budget.
How Much Should I Spend
When buying a diamond, the most important factor that you have to consider is your budget. Since this is a very special event and a purchase that will last forever, a common starting point is two months salary. Regardless of your budget, we believe, quality and value should always be your top priority.
How to Choose the Perfect Shape
Another factor should be the shape that you and your partner desire. Therefore, we at Diamond Traces offer all types of shapes for you to choose from. Every diamond that we have has been carefully cut and polished from a rough diamond to reveal optimal brilliance and fire. Cut also refers to the shape and style of a polished gem.
The most popular shapes on the market today are the Round Brilliant and Princess Cuts.
- Round Brilliant Cut is a classic shape that fits any woman's style.
- Princess Cut is most desired by the Sophisticated Woman.
- Marquise Shape and Pear Shape are most desired by the Conservative Woman.
- Asscher Cut and Cushion Cut are most desired by the Trendy and Modern Woman.
- Oval Shape and Emerald Cut are most desired by the Socialite Woman.
- Heart Shape is most desired by the Homemaker and the Housewife.
How to Choose the Right Carat Weight
The carat weight of a diamond is not a measurement of size; it is a unit of mass. It stands to reason, however, that two diamonds cut to the same proportion and shape, will be the same size.
Since larger diamonds are rarer and occur less frequently in nature, those of a heavier carat weight are more valuable. A common misconception is that rough diamonds are huge in nature and are broken down into many smaller diamonds because of the high demand in the market. However, this is a fallacy. A rough diamond gets polished as is and is never broken down as that would be impossible since it is the strongest material in nature.
To choose the best carat weight of a diamond for the recipient, consider her individual style and your budget. Please keep in mind that the size of the setting is determined by the size of the diamond and not the opposite.
When buying an engagement ring the most common size to use as a starting point ranges anywhere from 1 carat and up. Here at Diamond Traces we keep in stock sizes ranging from 1/4 carat up to 15 carats as we believe that each person has their individual preference when it comes to something as significant as this.
Diamond weight is expressed in "carats" and "points". 100 points equal one carat, 50 points measure half a carat, 25 points equal a quarter of a carat, etc; the chart below will give you an idea of the approximate size of a round diamond.
½ carat measures 4.9-5.5mm and costs between $300-$3,000
¾ carat measures 5.7-6.3mm and costs between $500-$7,000
1 carat measures 6.4-7.3mm and costs between $800-$25,000
1 ½ carat measures 7.5-8.1mm and costs between $1,500-$40,000
2 carat measures 8.0-9.1mm and costs between $2,000-$80,000
3 carat measures 9.1-10.1mm and costs between $4,500-$200,000
4 carat measures 10.3-10.9mm and costs between $6,500-$300,000
Please be advised that the measurements of the diamonds above are only for round cut and the prices depend on the Cut, Color and the Clarity of the diamond.
How to Choose the Right Clarity
Because diamonds are created by nature with millions of years of intense heat and pressure, imperfections or "inclusions" are often formed in the process. A diamond that has no inclusions may be graded as FL or "Flawless" as it is of the highest clarity and quality. The chart below illustrates the various clarity grades available.
- IF-FL: Flawless-Internally Flawless, containing no inclusions.
- VVS1-VVS2: Very Very Slight Inclusions, Even under 40x magnification.
- VS1-VS2: Very Slight Inclusions. Unable to see inclusions with the naked eye.
- SI1-SI2: Slight Inclusions, visible under 10x magnification (most recommended)
- SI3-I1: Inclusions, visible under 10x magnification and small visibility to the eye.
- I2-I3: Inclusions, which can be seen with the naked eye.
When choosing the clarity of your diamond it is highly recommended to get a diamond without any eye-visible inclusions, also known as "eye clean". An eye clean diamond ranges from I1 and up.
For a larger diamond it is highly recommended to go with a Clarity Enhanced Diamond, which gives you the option to purchase a 50% larger diamond equal in color and clarity with no visible inclusions for the same price. To see the difference between clarity enhanced diamonds and non-enhanced diamonds, please refer to our diamond price comparison chart.
When choosing a clean or even eye clean diamond we suggest that you go with a 4 prong setting to show maximum brilliance on all 58 facets of the diamond, since a 6 prong setting will cover more of the diamond, and thereby obscuring part of its beauty.
How to Choose the Right Color
The term color of a diamond actually refers to the absence of color. When a diamond is colorless, it acts like a prism, letting light pass through it effortlessly. When light is broken down, it is transformed into a rainbow of colors. Typically, the closer a diamond is to colorless, the more valuable it becomes. The scale shown below demonstrates the subtlety and various grades of a diamond's color.
When choosing the color of your diamond, we suggest that you go with a white color also known as "near colorless" (G,H,I) or a very faint yellow (J,K) diamond. A colorless diamond (D,E,F) is valued at a much greater value than all the other hues.
In addition, you should take into account the setting that you will be placing your diamond in.
When choosing a colorless, near colorless or even a white diamond, it is highly recommended that you set your diamond in a white setting, e.g. platinum or white gold. These metals will intensify the brilliance of the diamond.
If you are going with a J,K color diamond or darker, it is better to select a yellow gold setting for optimal brilliance. The yellow gold setting will make the diamond appear whiter than it actually is.
How to Choose the Right Cut
One of the most important factors when selecting a diamond is the cut.
The cut of a diamond represents the proportions, the symmetry and the polish. A diamond cut with the correct proportions and angles is also called "Ideal Cut", which will refract the prism of light more efficiently, resulting in vibrant sparkle and brilliance. Less optimal cuts of diamonds result in less fire and sparkle.
If the cut of the diamond is too deep, some light escapes through the sides of the diamond.
If the cut of the diamond is too shallow, light escapes through the bottom of the diamond.
We at Diamond Traces carry mainly Russian Cut Diamonds which are known to be the Ideal Cut. An Ideal Cut, which is most sought after is comprised of the following:
- Symmetry: Good-Excellent
- Polish: Good-Excellent
- Cut: Ideal-Near Ideal
- Depth: 62%-60% (only for round)
- Table: 58%-54% (only for round)
- Girdle: Medium
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