Buying a Diamond Solitaire Ring
A diamond solitaire ring is designed to show off a single, beautiful diamond to its maximum advantage. Here are some tips to help you identify the best deal before you buy your diamond solitaire ring.
The classic solitaire setting is one of the most popular ring settings. Solitaire rings vary greatly in price depending on the size and quality of the diamond and the rings setting. Doing your research online and looking around in high street jewellery shops is essential to give you a better idea of what is available within your preferred price range.
Buying a diamond solitaire ring as a gift for someone else means that you will also have to try and find out that person’s taste in jewellery, ring size and such. You may need to enlist the help of a friend or relative, discreetly.
You may already have come across the Four Cs of diamonds: Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat Weight.
Colour grades are very subtle. Only experienced diamond experts will be able to tell the gradual differences between some of these (and only by comparing side-by-side two diamonds of a different colour grade). The less colour diamond has, usually referred to as colourless, the rarer and more expensive it generally is.
The clarity is important. FL (Flawless) is the best clarity grade and therefore the best to buy. The average person can’t tell the difference without a magnifying loupe between FL and VS1 clarity diamonds, however everyone can tell the huge difference in price. For those who have a flexible budget VS1 or VS2 is a good choice, whereas people who have a limited budget will find good deals in the SI1 range of diamond clarity. If size matters more to the recipient of your diamond solitaire ring than quality, look out for diamonds with an SI2 clarity grade.
The cut of a diamond is not the same as its shape. ‘Shape’ refers to the general outward appearance of the diamond, i.e. round, heart, pear, marquise or princess. A diamond’s cut refers to the way in which the diamond displays light. An ‘ideal cut’ diamond reflects all the light that travels through it and thereby produces optimum brilliance and scintillation – ‘sparkle’ if you like. That also means that a well-cut diamond can appear larger than one with a poorer cut.
The setting is the way in which the diamond is held by the ring. A prong setting – also called a claw setting – is the most common option for a diamond solitaire ring. More prongs usually means a slightly more secure setting, but fewer prongs enable a little bit more light to reflect on the diamond – thus creating more sparkle and making the diamond stand out more.
A diamond solitaire ring is an investment as well as a piece of jewellery to treasure forever. Our engagement ring and diamond experts will be delighted to help you find the perfect diamond solitaire ring, and they are available for live chat (online, on the phone or in person) 7 days a week. You can also email us on service@diamondmanufacturers.co.uk.
