Why do we give diamonds as gifts? The strength and luster of the diamond symbolizes pricelessness and value. Fiancés give diamond rings to their better halves to make them feel loved and special, daughters are gifted diamonds by their fathers to show them affection, and husbands give them to their wives as a sign of respect and as a symbol of the strength of their relationship.
Check out our Where to Buy Diamonds article for information on acquiring a diamond gift.
Carat
A diamond’s weight is measured in what is known as a ‘carat’, which is a small unit of measurement equal to 200 milligrams. Carat is not a measure of a diamond’s size, since cutting a diamond to different proportions can affect its weight. Here is a diagram that shows the relative size of various carat weights in a diamond that is cut to the same proportions:
Note: the diamonds illustrated are shown ACTUAL SIZE.
The most important thing to remember when it comes to a diamond’s carat weight is that it is not the only factor that determines a diamond’s value. In other words, bigger does not necessarily mean better. All four Cs—Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat Weight must be balanced in order to select the ideal diamond.
Cut
There are many different styles of cut. The one that she likes will depend on her style and preference. Have a look at her other rings, it may give you a clue. When in doubt, stick with round as it's the safest bet.
Clarity
Diamonds, are made deep inside the earth, under pressure and heat. This leads to a lot of minute imperfections in the body of the diamond. Flawless diamonds or those diamonds that have no “birth marks” or indentations, are more expensive. Diamond cutters are responsible for scrubbing, refurbishing and polishing the diamonds in such a way that the marks are removed or hidden.
The level of clarity that you're looking for will depend on your budget. Try and get the best clarity that you can afford. The flaws are only really visible to the naked eye from the “I” category upwards. You can definitely find stones in the “VS” category for a good price.
Colour
The off white color of a diamond reflects impurity. The less tint present in a diamond, the more expensive it is. Colour becomes important when you consider the metal it will set it. If you put a R diamond in a white gold setting it will look a lot more yellow then if it was in a yellow gold setting. Try and get the lowest letter your budget will afford.
Alternatives to Natural Diamonds
Luckily, today there are some great alternatives to the expensive natural diamonds.
- Synthetic diamonds (not recommended) -Cubic zirconia and similar materials like moissanite
- Cultured diamonds (highly recommended) – Created through an atom-by-atom crystal growth process that exactly duplicates the physical, chemical, and optical properties of naturally-mined diamonds. It’s impossible to tell the two apart unless through advanced spectroscopy. This is a great alternative for women concerned with environment and all the world issues that go along with mining for diamonds
