Why a Gem Needs a Gem And Why a Man Needs a Diamond Buying Guide
A must-read guide answering all your diamond ring questions before you pop the big question. P.S. Don’t forget to take notes!
Jewellery holds a special place in my heart. Not so much because of the value of the jewels themselves, but for the memories associated. The first time I came across the concept of buying diamonds for a partner was in a whiskey commercial. A man in his 30s forgot his wedding anniversary and now wanted to express his love (and save his life) by gifting his precious one a precious stone – a sparkling natural diamond. The second time I came across the concept of buying natural diamonds was last week.
After deciding to pop the question, ‘buying the engagement ring’ was listed as just another item on the to-do list for Thursday, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. There’s a meticulous amount of research that needs to be done before buying a sparkling natural diamond. You’ll be introduced to a lot of new terms and a hundred different styles, but it isn’t that intimidating because…
You don’t need to know everything about the diamond to buy the right one, but you need to know everything about your partner to choose the right one.
So here I am preparing you a diamond buying guide (read as a service to mankind) that I wish someone had given to me when I set out to buy a diamond engagement ring.
1) Umm, so can we talk about price first?
You can’t put a price on love, but at the same time, you need to factor in all the information you know about the gem. Everything from the shape and the carat, to the colour and the metal, plays an important role in planning the perfect proposal. Now, before you start planning an elaborate diamond heist, know that there are a huge variety of diamonds catering to different budgets; from the famous 2-month salary rule, to shutting down a Tiffany store so she picks her own ring, be sure to be spoilt for choice. From Solitaire Diamond Rings to Stacked Natural Diamond-Studded Bands, there’s a range of designs with different price points. It’s about finding the one that suits your pocket and the style that you have in mind, which is slightly easier than planning a heist. Steal her heart, not the ring, right..? Right!
2) Wondering how to Cs the day?
The value of a natural diamond is determined by the cut, carat, colour, and clarity. The cut deals with the diamond’s ability to reflect light. It holds paramount importance in the grading of the diamond. A carat is not something you’ll find in the bottom compartment of your refrigerator, but it’s the weight of the diamond. Colour plays an important role in grading diamonds and colourless diamonds are considered to be of the highest quality. Meanwhile, clarity stands for the purity of the natural diamond and focuses on its internal characteristics. So, are you still wondering why the 4Cs are important?
3) Does certification matter?
According to diamond jewellery experts, and now me, there is a 5th C which stands for certification. It means that independent laboratories (GIA and the American Gem Society are the real gems here) give you a grading report for your diamond. Getting this issued is a way to ensure that you’re actually getting what you pay for.
Sadly, there’s no certificate for you after choosing the right diamond (yes, we checked).
4) It’s time to ring in the style
Now, to choose the style of your natural diamond ring, you need to scroll back to your chats, your Facebook memories, and also your food order history to start digging for hints. In times like this, your head starts asking questions like its trivia night, what was her favourite celebrity’s outfit during the Oscars, or what was her favourite celebrity wedding and what wedding ring did they buy for their s/o?
You need to remember that this ring, a symbol of your love, will be shown off on every occasion, so it needs to be the plus one that definitely compliments her style. A bespoke, customised diamond engagement ring would be perfect if she values uniquely crafted things over everything else. Meanwhile, if nostalgia and retro are her thing, then a vintage diamond ring is where you should be heading.
I know it’s a lot to process. The carats, the cuts, the clarity, and the chaos; which were merely words to you yesterday, but hold a lot of meaning today. And so does the million-dollar question of “Will you marry me?”, which is best served with a billion-year-old ethical natural diamond in your hand and a gazillion emotions in your mind.
