Thanks to an amazing 1940s ad campaign by the diamond mogul De Beers, diamonds forever won a spot in not just the hearts of women, but among gentlemen as well. The catchy ‘girl’s best friend’ claim still cannot be shaken off up to this day and would still be among the first few things that would enter your mind when asked to describe diamonds.
If you have finally found your soul mate and are planning a 2022 proposal, you need to know a lot about these alluring gemstones.
The 4Cs
The famous 4Cs are: Clarity, Cut, Colour and Carat, and every diamond is graded according to these 4 characteristics.
Here is some information on each:
- Clarity – Diamonds have inclusions and surface imperfections, as they are subjected to enormous stress over millions of years and the term ‘clarity characteristics’ refers to the clarity of all imperfections. The least the amount of characteristics, the better the clarity. As expected, the value of a stone can be raised or lowered by clarity characteristics.
- Colour – Diamonds come in many colours and this section has a big influence on the value; colourless stones are the most sought-after with a high price tag. Pink Argyle diamonds are a favourite for diamond engagement rings, mined in Australia, although production ceased in 2019, yet there are still many stunning pink diamonds that the Argyle Mine produced. If you are looking for the unique halo engagement rings Sydney or the jewellers in your area can offer, a quick Google search should lead you to a reputable custom jeweller.
- Cut – The list of diamond cuts is indeed long, ranging from the Brilliant Round to the exquisite Fancy Cuts and everything in between. The Brilliant Round has a total of 58 facets (sides) and is very popular as it maximises the sparkle. When you discuss the many aspects of your dream diamond engagement ring with the custom jeweller, he or she can show you many images of every cut imaginable, and using 3D imaging, the jeweller can create an accurate view of the ring using a specific cut.
- Carat – The weight of a diamond is measured in carat; 1 carat equals 200 mg, or 0.00705 oz. The carat can be divided 100 points of 2 mg each. This system was first introduced in 1907 as a standard weight for diamonds and has remained ever since.
Diamond Certification
The Gem Institute of America (GIA) is the main body for issuing diamond grading certificates. Any stone that you are thinking of acquiring should be accompanied with a GIA certificate. If you want the ultimate diamond engagement ring, talk to a leading custom jeweller, who can transform your design into reality.
Online Solutions
Thanks to digital technology, you can carry out the entire process of having a custom diamond engagement ring made without ever meeting the custom jeweller. The process would start with an informal Zoom call when the jeweller can get a clear idea of what you are looking for and should you be in agreement, a design can be put together and sent to you via email. A few more video calls and the design is perfect. The skilled jeweller can work his magic and a viewing date can be set.
It is a myth that a custom diamond engagement ring is more expensive than an off-the-shelf ring, and most couples prefer the uniqueness of a custom made diamond engagement ring.