The ring, hmmm, where do I start?
Does the ring have to be diamond? No, not at all. It can be any gemstone that her heart desires. The only thing that matters at this point is what that “rock” symbolizes to you and your bride. It can be her birthstone being emerald, rubies and sapphires.
The most symbolic of all stones out there is the diamond. It represents eternity and love. So before you go out there and shop for that diamond, the groom needs to research and learn about the 4 C’s- carat, clarity, cut and color, And oh, there’s a 5th C, certification.
Engagement rings by Ritani
Carat is the weight of a diamond and there is 142 carats to an ounce. A one carat diamond has 100 points. Now, don’t get carat confused with karat. Karat is used to measure the purity of gold. Does size matter? Yes it does but let this NOT be the measure of your love.
Clarity refers to the presence of defects on the surface which is a blemish and inclusions which are flaws in the internal of the diamond. Blemish flaws includes scratches, pits, and chips due to the cutting process and inclusions can be air bubbles, cracks and non- diamond minerals. Clarity grade ranges from F (flawless – very rare and expensive) to the lowest grade, I1; I2; I3.
The cut of the diamond is considered the most important because its brilliance depends heavily on it. The cut will make the brilliance seem like it is coming from the very heart of the stone. Once again, do not get yourself confused with the diamond’s cut and the diamond’s shape because the cut solely refers to the diamond’s reflective qualities. The cut also has a grading method and they are: Ideal; Premium; Very Good; Good; and Fair & Poor.
The value of a diamond also depends on its color. If it is clear and colorless like a clear window which allows light to pass through, it is rated D. D is the highest color rating and it goes all the way down to Z, yellow. The diamonds that naturally have the color, from blue to green to the brightest yellow, do not follow how white diamonds are graded and these colored diamonds are referred to as “fancies”.
The 5th C is the certification. The diamond ring that you purchase should come with this. This is your diamond’s grading report that is performed by the International Gemological Institute. This report should include the diamond’s weight, grade, and identifying characteristics.
An additional diamond information that you might also consider before buying is the shape and it varies from marquise, round, oval, emerald and pear.
Another article I found rather interesting in The Atlantic by Andrew Sullivan:
affectionately… -jo ann- 480-216-4630 Apropos Creations, LLC
