Are you looking to buy diamonds but don't know where to start? Worry not! Follow this easy how to buy a diamond guide to help you choose the best diamond within your price range.
This guide also explains how different characteristics influence both the appearance and the cost of a diamond.
A diamond is graded through the key characteristics of the 4Cs: cut, colour, clarity, and carat weight. These factors will have an impact on a diamond's appearance and price.
1. Effect on diamond appearance This indicates how much a specific characteristic, such as cut or colour, enhances the diamond's visual appeal.
2. Effect on diamond price This describes the impact each characteristic has on the diamond's price. For instance, a higher carat weight typically increases the price.
By understanding these aspects, you can make a more informed decision when selecting a diamond.
To determine the most valuable diamond purchase, use this formula:
This approach ensures you choose a diamond that looks stunning while remaining affordable. A diamond that significantly enhances in appearance without greatly increasing the price represents the best value for your investment.
What to look for in a diamond? Let's take a quick look at this handy chart that will help you navigate how each of these characteristics influences a diamond's beauty and price.
Now let's go through step by step how to pick a diamond by learning more about the 4Cs.
Effect on diamond appearance: Low
Effect on diamond price: High
Round Brilliant is the most sought-after diamond shape for an engagement ring. However, new brides are exploring alternative shapes, such as Cushion and Oval.
These alternative shapes often offer better specifications for the same price and generally cost less than the more popular Round Brilliant. It's crucial to prioritise cut quality in any fancy-shaped diamond to ensure maximum sparkle. Nonetheless, the Round Brilliant diamond remains unmatched in brilliance compared to all other diamond shapes.
Additionally, fancy shapes can offer more flexibility in cut, allowing for a more brilliant stone at a similar price point compared to a round brilliant. However, it's crucial to prioritise cut quality to ensure maximum sparkle in any fancy-shaped diamond.
Effect on diamond appearance: High
Effect on diamond price: High
The weight of a diamond is expressed in carats. One carat = 0.2 grams, and one carat equals 100 points.
Why Carat Weight Matters:
Carat weight significantly influences both the appearance and cost of a diamond, often making it the most noticeable of the four key characteristics (the 4Cs). If you're unsure about the ideal carat size for your budget, let us help. Provide your price range, and we'll suggest the optimal carat weight that ensures you receive the best quality and value.
Speak to our ZCOVA Curators now!
Effect on diamond appearance: High
Effect on diamond price: High
Defining Cut Quality:
A diamond's cut grade determines how its facets reflect light. It is the beauty factor for diamonds, directly influencing their brilliance and beauty. A poorly cut diamond appears dull and lifeless. Hence, we only offer Triple Excellent in Cut, Symmetry & Polish at ZCOVA. This grade is also referred to and branded as a 'super ideal cut diamond' in the retail market.
Why Choose Triple Excellent?
A Triple Excellent cut diamond is highly sought after for its potential to maximise brilliance and fire, the qualities that create a diamond's captivating sparkle. Consult with our gemologist to guide you on the intricacies of cut grades.
Click on the video to see the difference between a standard 3EX Diamond and LUMOS by ZCOVA.
Effect on diamond appearance: High
Effect on diamond price: High
Clarity refers to the inclusions and blemishes in the diamond. These imperfections can affect the stone's pristine appearance and cost.
Optimal Clarity Range:
When buying diamonds, we recommend selecting diamonds rated between Internally Flawless (IF) and VS2 for the best balance of clarity and cost. Diamonds in this range generally appear clean to the naked eye, ensuring both beauty and value.
Diamond Clarity Explained:
Effect on diamond appearance: Medium
Effect on diamond price: High
Choosing the Right Diamond Colour:
Diamond colour refers to its absence of colour, with D-E-F being the most coveted colourless diamonds. For excellent value without compromising appearance, consider G-H-I colour diamonds. These grades appear white to the naked eye and allow you to focus on the cut, which is crucial for maximum sparkle.
Effect on diamond appearance: Medium
Effect on diamond price: High
The second thing most people notice after carat is brilliance, the intense bright light that shines from a diamond. Interestingly, diamonds with seemingly identical 4C specs can have different levels of brilliance. Here's where Light Performance comes in. We use Sarine Light Performance (Brilliance, Fire, Sparkle, & Symmetry) to determine how brilliant a diamond is.
Light Performance is the precise grading of the diamond's interaction with light. This analysis helps us understand how a diamond performs, allowing you to find the perfect match for your budget and visual preference (bright and sparkly or more subtle). Our diamond buying tip is to consider Light Performance alongside the traditional 4Cs.
To guarantee superior brilliance and exceptional quality, LUMOS by ZCOVA Diamonds selects only stones with the highest Light Performance rating. This commitment to unmatched sparkle is reflected in our complimentary LUMOS service, ensuring you receive a diamond that stands out. As the only online retailer in Malaysia and Singapore offering dual GIA and Sarine certificates, ZCOVA provides unparalleled transparency and confidence in your diamond's exceptional light performance.
Need assistance to choose your diamond or engagement ring?
Speak to our Curators now!
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