Shopping For Loose Diamonds
When designing an engagement or wedding ring, the buyer will need to purchase loose diamonds. As one of the most prominent gems, loose diamonds have been cherished for more than four thousand years. Even the smallest diamond can be used to add beauty to any piece of jewelry. Knowing how to shop for loose diamonds will guarantee the customer will get the stone he is searching for at the right price. Establishing a Budget This may seem like simple common sense, but it is surprising how many people intend to purchase loose diamonds without deciding how much they can spend. There is a modern convention that an engagement ring should be valued at around two months salary. Once a budget is established, the buyer should find out more information about loose diamonds in order to choose the desired stone. Decide on the Shape The next step in shopping for loose diamonds is choosing the shape of the diamond. Popular shapes for a center stone include heart, emerald, oval, marquise, pear, princess, radiant and round. The traditional shape for loose diamonds for engagement rings is round. The round diamond shows the most sparkle and brilliance while hiding imperfections. Other shapes tend to be more expensive because it is more difficult to cut diamonds into different shapes. The shape will most likely be determined by the woman’s personal style. A woman whose style is more traditional would most likely prefer a round diamond solitaire ring. Her personal preference should always be kept in mind when choosing loose diamonds. Decide on the Carat Size The next step is to choose the size of the diamond, and the carat determines the size of the diamond. When deciding on the carat size for loose diamonds, the size of the hand that will be wearing the ring should be kept in mind. A large diamond ring will look too big and gaudy on a small hand, and a small diamond ring will look too small on a larger hand. Another thing to remember is that dollars per carat increase exponentially, and a one-carat diamond is worth more than several smaller diamonds that equal a carat. Decide on the Best Color and Clarity The buyer must next choose the best diamond color and clarity that will fit within his budget. Unless the wearer prefers