Finding your perfect diamond can be tricky, especially when it comes to carats! A carat is the amount of pure white material that makes up a diamond’s “surface.” The higher the number, the larger the stone — but only if you like very large check 3ct diamond prices!
Most people are familiar with color grading, which determines how much blue, yellow or otherwise non-white content there is in a diamond. This is important because some colors cannot be improved with time (or melted down and resold as other jewelry).
However, there is another way to grade diamonds that goes beyond their surface qualities. It focuses not just on whether there is any trace amounts of lighter or darker elements within the gem, but also on how many there are!
This is called internal quality and can easily add to the price tag of a diamond. As such, most diamond buyers agree that having a high percentage of excellent quality stones is more valuable than having lots of expensive ones that are mostly internal trinkets.
But what exactly defines an excellent quality diamond? And how do you know if a diamond has enough of them for its price to rise? Here we will discuss why good internal quality matters, where you can find them and how to tell if one does exist.
Look for a reputable dealer
When it comes to buying jewelry, carats are one of the most important things to consider. A carat is like the size of a gemstone — just think about it as the weight of the stone. The heavier the diamond, the higher its price!
Most people agree that lower quality diamonds look better than higher quality ones, but there is no clear number defining what constitutes low or high quality jeweler’s metal.
And while cost is a factor in determining which gems are budget-friendly, it isn’t the only one. Because carsat also factores in how much light the jewel glows under, and how well it is fit into an overall setting, heighth, etc., not to mention who you buy them from!
So, how do you know if a diamond shape has a good quality? There are some general tips, such as looking for fire (a bright white color) and luster (brilliance), but nothing more specific than that until you find a diamond that is.
Here, I will go over a couple of rare carat jewels and some information about each one.
Pay attention to the diamond’s cut
The ideal shape for an engagement ring is called a round, or crescent-shaped, profile. This shape contains no longer or shorter lines than any other, which makes it look most beautiful.
A classic way to describe how well a diamond cut shapes its luster and brilliance is by thinking of a glass bottle. A perfectly shaped bottle has thinner, more rippling sides, which create brighter reflections and increase the stone’s sparkle.
But while this may be the style that you think looks the best like our standard example, there are some less common cuts used in very special diamonds. An octagonic stone, for instance, has eight pointed corners, whereas a pear-shape diamond has a short top with a slightly longer bottom.
Consider the carat size
When choosing your perfect diamond, one of the first things to consider is the carat size of the stone. A larger carat weight can look heavier for your ring, while a smaller carat weight looks thinner.
A 1-carat stone looks very thin compared to a 2-carat stone. Because diamonds are categorized by their density, a higher number means that it takes more effort to break down the gem.
Carats also vary in color, but most brides want white or slightly yellow stones because they match most skin tones. If you do find a darker colored diamond that fits your budget, then go up in carat size!
There are many sites that compare like metals to determine which one sounds the best. You can also test out some rings on the price site’s sleeve to get an idea of what size would fit well with your budget.
Think about color
When it comes down to it, most people do not care how much carat your diamond is as long as they like them and they look nice with their clothes. Therefore, most sellers will advertise that their diamonds have a certain color which seems very vague.
Most major jewelry stores have trained staff who are experienced in diamond colors. They can tell you what tone of yellow or white a diamond has and if this looks good with clothing. Or, they may suggest buying another diamond of the same quality but with different colors to see which one looks better with your clothes.
This is an easy way to find your perfect diamond! Most reputable jewelers offer a warranty for a second stone of the same size and price. Check before you buy though, some may only give you this guarantee if you purchase directly from them.
Pay attention to surface quality
When looking for your perfect diamond, one of the first things to consider is its shape. While some diamonds are called round or cushion shaped, most people agree that the classic shape is pear-shaped.
Many say that this shape is more attractive than a square or oval diamond because it creates slightly bigger eyes. But what if you like strong, large eyes?
That’s when bicone diamonds come in handy! These asymmetrical jewels have two distinct points instead of just a tip. Each side is several carats long, making them much longer than a typical 1/2 -carat stone.
Because they are cut so beautifully, many believe bicones are better suited for less casual looks such as engagement rings or wedding bands.
Look at the clarity
Clarity is one of the most important features to look for when buying a new diamond. This term refers to how much in-depth color you will see in the stone.
Most people associate diamonds with being very white or slightly yellow, but that isn’t always the case. A lot of black diamonds exist!
And while some contain heavy metals to be manufactured, many don’t. The intensity of a diamond’s darkness is determined by what type of cut it has.
A higher percentage of shorter wavelengths are reflected away from the viewer, leaving an unobscured bright surface behind. These shades of blue or red disappear once the diamond is set into another jewelry piece, so they’re not considered part of the sparkle.
But just because a diamond looks darkish plain doesn’t mean it’s without value. Some darker stones are labeled as “faint” or even “white gold” due to their similarity in tone to more classic white gems. And while they may lack the attention of a brighter gem, these heavier stones are still valuable.
At 24 karats, this particular ring contains enough weight to make its appearance matter. Because this beauty is shrouded in secrecy, there are no quality reports available.
Is the diamond in a setting?
Most people agree that if you can’t appreciate the sparkle of a new stone, then it is time to look elsewhere. But what about diamonds that are already surrounded by jewelry?
A carat (weight) does not make up for how beautiful a jewel will look when placed next to other jewels. A one-and-a-half carat diamond may seem like it is enough because there is another half carat attached to it, but then you have to worry about where to store your extra jewelry.
And how much space do we have available these days with everything being very tight? If you must buy a one-carat diamond ring, then go up a size so that it feels more substantial.
RareCarats has got you covered! We only carry top quality, rare diamond jewelry from established brands. You get the same level of craftsmanship and expertise as buying direct from the brand. And since we handle all the inventory and logistics, you never have to worry about low supplies or overpaying due to high demand.
Is the diamond loose?
Most people recognize cubic zirconia as being fake, but there are some that believe the very best quality diamonds can look like they’re made of plastic. This is because they contain boron which looks similar to glassy material when cut into.
This isn’t a good thing though! Only 0.2% of all mined diamonds have significant amounts of boron so most diamonds with this “quality” are actually quite poor quality stones.
By looking closer you may be able to tell if a diamond has too much boron by its color. Since boron is a relatively light element it makes the diamond seem brighter than it really is. A darker colored stone means less boron and thus better quality.
However, never assume just because a diamond seems dark or even white that it is not containing boron.
