The first thing she’ll notice is its size - quality comes later. We are, of course, referring to the center diamond in her engagement ring (if you thought otherwise, we recommend getting your mind out of the gutter). Seriously though, the size of a diamond is the easiest to see with an untrained eye. But just because it is the most recognizable doesn’t mean it's what you want to prioritize on your diamond search. Finding the perfect one is playing around with different areas to get the right fit for you. Why? Size won’t matter if the diamond’s quality falls flat.
We’re sure you have questions. Lucky for you, our diamond experts here at Vanscoy, Maurer and Bash Diamond Jewelers in Lancaster, PA are going deep into each of the four diamond quality categories to show how we make sure you get the diamond of your dreams at any price point.
Cut
What does size matter if you don’t know what to do with it? Cut is arguably a diamond’s most important feature since it is responsible for a diamond’s trademark sparkle. It’s as easy to see as size - you just might not be able to pinpoint exactly why a poorly-cut diamond doesn’t look good. To ensure maximum light exits the diamond (aka how it sparkles), the diamond’s underside can’t be too shallow or too deep. A diamond’s cut is also graded on two additional measures, polish and symmetry. When a round diamond scores as ‘excellent’ in all three categories, it is considered triple excellent, the most brilliant it can be. We aren’t trying to argue that size isn’t important. But while a diamond’s carat weight might get everyone’s attention, the cut will keep it. You want her friends and family (and other peeking eyes) to be blinded by her ring, right?
Color
Now we’re getting into more nuanced qualities of a diamond. Color is especially hard to spot, even to a trained eye. But those subtle differences can work to your advantage. Colorless diamonds, grades D, E and F, are considered rare and are therefore more expensive. Diamonds in the near-colorless range, grades G, H, I and J, are less rare, less expensive but no less beautiful. So, if the differences are so subtle that even diamond experts struggle to tell them apart, why pay a premium for a barely-there feature?
Clarity
Since we’re on the topic of barely-there specs, it’s the perfect time to talk about clarity. All diamonds, natural or lab-grown, have inclusions, natural birthmarks that form during its creation. Clarity measures the noticeability of these birthmarks under 10x magnification and a trained eye. Now, we would like to present a quick question before we continue - do you carry a microscope, magnifying glass or similar piece of equipment everywhere you go? If the answer is no, then we have a similar argument for clarity as we do for color. Why pay more for something you won’t see? If your answer to the microscope question is yes, then we still think it’s worthwhile to stop in and look at the Slightly Included category of diamonds (and tell us what kind of job you have).
Carat
Ah, we’ve reached the big one (literally!) - we know it, we love it and it’s sure to turn heads. Carat is the simplest measure a diamond is given because it only quantifies its size. When a diamond’s size goes up, the price goes up exponentially. There’s not many ways to get around the price premiums you pay for larger size diamonds. But of course, we have a couple tricks up our sleeves. For example, consider going down in size by just a couple carat points. A 1.01 carat diamond and a 0.98 carat diamond will look the same size but only one has the carat premium. If you’re looking at a fancy shape, slightly elongated styles carry more of their weight on the top of the diamond, giving the illusion of a larger carat size without sacrificing cut. And don’t forget our discussions above! Going for a nearly-colorless, slightly included diamond may just get you to the carat price point of her dreams.
TLDR: Cut can be seen from 4 feet away, color from 4 inches and clarity from 4 millimeters. Be aware of spending extra dollars on something that won’t impact the shine and sparkle of your diamond. Go to a good jeweler (we know one!) that listens to your wants and makes sure you get the best quality without any unnecessary fluff. A diamond is meant to be a lifelong purchase, so make sure you can see the qualities that matter most.
We hope this blog shows that the diamond experts at Vanscoy, Maurer and Bash Diamond Jewelers know a thing or two about what really matters when choosing that unforgettable piece. So don’t worry about remembering every detail - just stop in and let us guide you to the perfect diamond.
