Are The 4C’s Really Important While Buying A Diamond Ring?

October 10, 2017

A diamond ring is a perfect adornment for the finger. It could be a graduation present, an engagement ring, some retail therapy, or the perfect gift to give to yourself. A diamond ring lends itself to all occasions. Whenever we think about buying a diamond ring, we are always cautioned and asked to consider the 4C’s. Are the 4C’s really important while buying a diamond ring? Yes, they are! And here is why: The four C’s refer to cut, clarity, carat, and color. Each of these elements is essential. The simple reason for this is that a diamond ring is an expensive proposition. Whether as an investment or a gift, it is going to cost you money and you need to ensure that you get the best possible product for your hard earned money. The 4C’s are an effective way to gauge your purchase.

Cut

The cut of a diamond varies from excellent to poor. You want to stay at the top end of the spectrum. The cut is important, because the brilliance and flash of a diamond comes from how well the diamond has been cut. A well-cut diamond catches the light at just the right angles and flashes it back, giving it illumination. A good cut gives your stone added dimension and proportion. Even a small sized diamond can be shown off to its best advantage with a well-cut stone.

If a diamond is cut badly, then not only is the shape of the stone compromised, the stone could end up looking dull and lacking in the quality a diamond is known to have the sheer dazzle of the stone.

Clarity

Even a great cut cannot save a diamond with poor clarity. Just like a clean pool, let us look at its very depths; a clear diamond lets you see into its very soul. The clearer the diamond, the better it is for you. Diamonds can be flawless in appearance, but they are extremely rare to find. What you need to look for is a stone that may have flaws or inclusions, however that are not visible to the naked eye. They may come under the category of Very Slightly Included, Included, or Very, Very Slightly Included. All these are good choices for the diamond ring.

Clarity of a stone is important, because blemishes can not only mar the appearance of the diamond, but also make it weak and prone to breaking easily. If you want your diamond to last a lifetime, then choosing one with the best clarity is a must. Here, you will need to think about the setting of your diamond too. Some of the older styles actually work at accentuating the flaws of a stone. The general rule to follow is better clarity, better quality.

Carat

Traditionally, the bigger the diamond, the more worthy it is of being worn. The carat weight determines the number of zeros in the amount you pay for your ring. While it is true that a large carat diamond looks impressive, it will have little or no value if it does not have clarity or a good color. If it is cut badly, then it will not look as advantageous as it should. So, while carat is important, the setting of the stone is too. For instance, if the band on which the diamond rests is thin and slim or the main diamond is surrounded by other smaller diamonds or different stones, then the diamond could look larger in size. Think of a rectangular diamond adorning your finger and you will see what we mean.

The higher the carat weight, the more difficult it is to find the stone. Large stones are rare in nature and you may have to wait a while before you get the one you are looking for. Plan for this eventuality too when you do decide to shop for your jewelry.

Color

While color diamonds are all the rage, with people going in for pink, grey, and red diamonds, the traditional diamond color is the one to go for white. Better known as a colorless diamond, it shows off clarity, cut, and carat to perfection. It is also easier to re-sell a white diamond if you so desire. A colorless diamond rates the highest in the color chart. As more elements of light grey, yellow, or brown enter in the mix, the rating comes down. Just like with the carat, the colorless diamond is rare to find. If you do not want a pure colorless stone, you can look for near colorless stones as well.

A white diamond also has the advantage of looking good in any setting with any other stone as well. If you make the ring in yellow gold, the slight color difference may not even be apparent. As always, the setting of the stone makes all the difference.

Thus, we find that the 4C’s are a faithful guide to determine how wise or unwise our choice of diamond ring is. Use them to make a sound purchase!

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Andi Perullo de Ledesma

I am Andi Perullo de Ledesma, a Chinese Medicine Doctor and Travel Photojournalist in Charlotte, NC. I am also wife to Lucas and mother to Joaquín. Follow us as we explore life and the world one beautiful adventure at a time.

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