The Must-Have Facts Before Buying Diamonds

Article updated: 27 June 2024

Buying a diamond ring (or any piece of jewellery) is a big decision and an expensive endeavour. A wedding ring, for example, will be on show on the person's finger, day in and day out for a lifetime, so it is extremely important that you make the right choice. Your hard earned money should be well spent, and we want you to make fully informed choices, so we have created a list of tips and key information you should know before buying a diamond ring.

Tips & Suggestions

• Pick your Jeweller carefully: research is paramount. Speak to friends and family. Think really hard about the personal nature of what you are doing here. It is a really good idea to be able to have some face-time with your chosen jeweller. Chemistry, as you probably know if you are about to get married, can create magic. John Franich Jewellers has many reviews on our site and on Google that you can see as testimonial of others experiences.

• Confirm the ring size: This is key, sometimes people get into details and forget about the basics ending up in getting a ring that doesn’t fit. The easiest way is to use a piece of thin thread and wrap it around the intended finger

• TIP: If it's a surprise, then do it whilst the person is sleeping.

• Always check the diamond in different lighting: Jewellery stores usually have it in best lighting, it may be a good idea to take it outside - with permission and an escort of course - to see how it looks in natural light.

• Ask for grading certificates for the centre stone and the side stones if you opt for them. Also, check the hallmarks on the band. The certificate also assures authenticity and most of them can be verified online. Should you want to insure your ring, you will need this information and the receipt of purchase to do so, so keep this information safe.

• Don’t break the bank: set your budget before you walk into a store. If you haven’t set a budget, chances are that you will spend more than what you have. Browsing our website will give you a good idea of what you can afford, just use the "filter button" top right to start from the right place.

 

What you need to know about diamonds: Learn about the 4 Cs: Carat, Cut, Colour, Clarity.

Carat, cut, and clarity are three fundamental attributes that define a diamond's overall quality, appearance, and value.

1. Carat is a measure of a diamond's weight. One carat equals 200 milligrams. Larger diamonds are rarer and generally more expensive. However, carat weight alone doesn't determine a diamond's visual size or beauty, as other factors like cut play a crucial role.
2. Cut refers to how well a diamond has been shaped and faceted. The cut affects a diamond's brilliance and sparkle by determining how light is reflected within the stone. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) grades cut quality from Excellent to Poor. A well-cut diamond will appear more brilliant and can look larger than a poorly cut diamond of the same carat weight.
3. Clarity evaluates the presence of internal inclusions and external blemishes or flaws. The GIA clarity scale ranges from Flawless (no inclusions or blemishes visible under 10x magnification) to Included (inclusions and/or blemishes visible to the naked eye). Clarity impacts a diamond's appearance and value, with fewer imperfections generally being more desirable.
4. Colour grading is an essential aspect of assessing a diamond's quality and value. The colour of a diamond is graded based on its absence of colour, with the GIA colour scale being the most widely used system.

Everything you need to know about clarity:

Diamond clarity refers to the presence of internal inclusions and external blemishes within a diamond. These imperfections can affect the diamond’s appearance and value. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) developed a clarity scale to grade diamonds based on their clarity. Here’s a detailed overview of the diamond clarity ratings:

The GIA Clarity Scale

The GIA clarity scale ranges from Flawless (FL) to Included (I), with several subgrades in between. The clarity grades are determined by the number, size, relief, nature, and position of inclusions and blemishes visible under 10x magnification.

1. Flawless (FL)

Description: No inclusions or blemishes are visible under 10x magnification.
Rarity: Extremely rare and highly valued.

2. Internally Flawless (IF)

Description: No inclusions and only minor blemishes visible under 10x magnification.
Rarity: Very rare and valuable.

3. Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2)

VVS1: Inclusions are very difficult to see under 10x magnification.
VVS2: Inclusions are slightly easier to see than VVS1 but still very difficult to detect.
Rarity: Rare and high-quality diamonds.

4. Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2)

VS1: Inclusions are difficult to see under 10x magnification.
VS2: Inclusions are easier to see than VS1 but still considered minor.
Rarity: High-quality diamonds that offer a good balance between quality and value.

5. Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2)

SI1: Inclusions are noticeable under 10x magnification but usually not visible to the naked eye.
SI2: Inclusions are more noticeable under 10x magnification and may be visible to the naked eye.
Rarity: More common and offer a good value, especially for those on a budget.

6. Included (I1, I2, and I3)

I1: Inclusions are obvious under 10x magnification and may affect transparency and brilliance.
I2: Inclusions are more pronounced than I1 and can affect transparency and brilliance.
I3: Inclusions are prominent and can significantly impact transparency and brilliance.
Rarity: Common and typically the least expensive, but inclusions are visible to the naked eye and can affect the diamond's appearance and durability.

Factors Affecting Clarity

1. Size of Inclusions: Larger inclusions are more noticeable and can have a greater impact on the diamond's appearance.
2. Number of Inclusions: A higher number of inclusions generally lowers the clarity grade.
3. Position of Inclusions:** Inclusions located near the center of the diamond or on the table are more noticeable than those near the edges.
4. Nature of Inclusions: The type and impact of the inclusion (e.g., cloud, feather, crystal) also influence the clarity grade.
5. Relief: The contrast of the inclusions compared to the diamond itself affects how visible they are.

Choosing the Right Clarity

When selecting a diamond, consider:

• Personal Preference: Some individuals may prioritise clarity and prefer diamonds with higher grades (FL, IF, VVS), while others may find VS or SI diamonds offer a good balance between quality and value.
• Visibility of Inclusions: Many inclusions in VS and SI diamonds are not visible to the naked eye, making these diamonds appear similar to higher-clarity diamonds at a lower cost.
• Budget: Higher clarity diamonds are more expensive. Balancing clarity with other factors such as cut, colour, and carat weight can help you find the best diamond within your budget.

Understanding diamond clarity ratings helps in making an informed decision when purchasing a diamond. The GIA clarity scale provides a reliable standard for assessing diamond clarity, ensuring you choose a diamond that meets your aesthetic preferences and financial criteria.

A detailed overview of diamond colour grading:

GIA Colour Scale

The GIA colour scale ranges from D to Z, with D being the highest grade (completely colourless) and Z indicating a noticeable presence of colour. Here's a breakdown of the grades:

D-F Colourless

• D - Absolutely Colourless. The highest colour grade and extremely rare.
• E - Colourless. Only minute traces of colour detectable by an expert gemologist.
• F - Colourless. Slight color detectable by an expert gemologist, but still considered colorless to the naked eye.

G-J Near Colourless

• G - Near-Colourless. A faint trace of coloor detectable only when compared to higher colour grades.
• H - Near-colourless. Slightly more noticeable colour than G but still high quality.
• I - Near-Colourless. Noticeable colour when compared to higher colour grades.
• J - Near-Colourless. Slightly detectable colour; can still be a good value choice.

K-M Faint Colour

K - Faint colour. Noticeable colour, usually visible to the naked eye.
L - Faint colour. More noticeable colour than K.
M - Faint colour. More noticeable colour than L.

N-R Very Light Colour

Diamonds in this range have a noticeable light yellow or brown tint.

S-Z Light Colour

Light colour. Diamonds in this range have an obvious tint of yellow or brown.

Colour and the Impact on Value

Colourless to Near-Colourless Diamonds (D-J):

These diamonds are highly sought after, with D-F being the most desirable and expensive. Near-colourless diamonds (G-J) offer a good balance between quality and value, with any colour being less noticeable when set in jewellery, especially white gold or platinum.

Faint to Light Colour Diamonds (K-Z): 

These diamonds are less expensive but can still be beautiful, particularly when well-cut. They can be set in yellow gold to mask the faint colour.

I have also heard about "Fluorescence" in diamonds, what does this mean?

Fluorescence is a phenomenon where some diamonds emit a faint glow when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. The GIA grades fluorescence as None, Faint, Medium, Strong, or Very Strong. In most cases, fluorescence has little impact on a diamond's appearance under normal lighting conditions, but strong fluorescence can sometimes make a diamond appear hazy or oily.

Choosing the Right Color

When selecting a diamond, consider:

• Personal Preference: Some people prefer the icy look of a D-F diamond, while others find that diamonds in the G-J range offer the best value.
• Setting Metal: Diamonds with slight color can appear more colorless when set in yellow or rose gold.
• Budget: Balancing colour with other factors such as cut, clarity, and carat can help find the best diamond within your budget.

Understanding diamond colour grading helps in making an informed decision when purchasing a diamond. The GIA color scale provides a reliable standard for assessing diamond color, ensuring you choose a diamond that meets your aesthetic and financial criteria.

In summary, carat determines size, cut influences sparkle, clarity affects purity and colour can affect the value of the stone. Understanding these differences helps in selecting a diamond that balances these attributes according to personal preferences and budget.

Understand the different diamond shapes and cuts:

If you are buying for your better half, getting an insight of what they may like is going to help.