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Diamond Education |
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The 4C: Color, Cut, Clarity, Carat Weight |
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Diamond professionals use these four factors to describe and classify diamonds. When taken together, they help in evaluating the finished diamonds you buy. That's why they are often called value factors. |
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back to Diamonds 101 | |
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Color |
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When applied to diamonds, color is often misunderstood by people outside the diamond trade. Many people think of diamonds as colorless. In reality, truly colorless diamonds are quite rare. Most diamonds used in jewelry are nearly colorless with faint yellow or brown tints. These diamonds fall in the normalcolor range. |
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Clarity |
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| roll over to see how these diamonds actually appear under 10X |
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| Like the rest of the Four Cs, clarity's influence on value is directly related to the concept of rarity. Flawless diamonds are very rare so rare in fact,that it's possible to spend a lifetime in the jewelry industry without ever seeing one. As you might imagine, they command top prices. |
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Cut |
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| Cutting a diamond to produce the maximum return of light depends on the inter-relationship between three critical proportions and table size, crown angle and pavilion depth. These can be combined in many ways to yield equally bright round brilliant cut diamonds. |
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Carat Weight |
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| The aspect of carat weight that surprises people is the relationship between rarity, weight, and value. People know that a pound of sugar costs about twice as much as a half pound of sugar. So it's not always easy to understand, or explain, why a 2-ct. diamond might be worth more than twice as much as a 1-ct. diamond of similar clarity, cut and color. It's really a simple concept: Large diamonds are rarer than small diamonds. The scarcer a diamond is, the higher its worth. A larger stone doesn't just cost more. It also costs more per carat. |
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Buying Gold Vs. Platinum |
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While an engagement ring signifies a promise, the wedding band symbolizes the actual fulfillment of that promise, the marriage itself. The shape is significant. The unbroken circle symbolizes eternal love. It not only represents the permanence of your marriage, it also links you to the chain of generations past and future who celebrate the marriage ceremony.
Of all the choices you will make for your wedding day, only the wedding band you select will endure. No matter how gorgeous your gown or delicious the wedding cake, only your wedding band will be close to you always, a beautiful symbol of your vow. For this reason, you should choose a band that reflects your style, personality, and taste.
First things first: which metal speaks to you. While tradition, and perhaps your future mother-in-law, says yellow, your heart may say white. If that is the case, follow your heart. You're the one who's going to wear it every day! |
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click on ring for more info: |
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| Yellow Gold |
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Platinum or White Gold |
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Daring Duo |
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Delightful Details |
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Manly Bands |
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Bonding Bands |
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back to Diamonds 101 | |
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Yellow Gold
For some, the gleaming color of gold, the "traditional" wedding band metal, symbolizes the warmth and love of a marriage. Gold is available in 14K, 18K, or 24K. The carat reflects the gold's purity; a 24K band is pure gold. A lower caratage means metal alloys have been added to strengthen the metal. |
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Platinum or White Gold
The hottest trend in jewelry today are white metals (platinum and white gold). Platinum's supreme strength and rarity make it an ideal choice for your eternal symbol of love; its purity makes it safe for most people with sensitive skin. White gold offers a similiar look for less money. |
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Daring Duo
Can't decide? Choose a design that gracefully combines yellow and white metals, combining white and yellow gold, yellow gold with platinum, or several different shades of gold. A bit of texture highlighting one of the colors adds even more richness to the design. A classic new look sandwiches an 18K yellow gold circle between two narrow bands of platinum (or vice-versa). This dual metal and duo-tone band need not be very wide to convey an intriguing mix of elegance and individuality. |
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Delightful Details
If you don't want to mix the color but like the idea of a more intricate design, consider a unique finish and/or detail such as engraving, filigree, or milgraining. The beauty of finishes is that they can be applied, removed, and changed at will. Consider your plain ol' band a canvas, ripe with possibilities, and your hand its showcase. |
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Manly Bands
For many men, the wedding band may be the only piece of jewelry they'll ever wear besides a wristwatch. When in doubt, buy a traditional band. Don't buy a trendy design he'll regret in five-or fifty-years!. Opt to indulge in subtle details. A wedding band may be small in size, but it can pack a lot of design on its surface. |
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Bonding Bands
To match or not to match, that is the question. Choosing the same band in different widths for both of you is an obvious way to visually confirm your bond. Traditionally, the wife's band is wider than the husband's. You decide what width looks best on each person's hand. |
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Ring Appraisals and Insurance |
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BRC strongly recommends that you take the time to protect your diamond ring purchase buy having a formal appraisal. Insurance is expensive. Keep in mind that leading insurance companies state that the greatest chance for loss and/or damage of a diamond ring is in your first year of ownership. |
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back to Diamonds 101 | |
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Why get an appraisal?
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- To verify facts about the stone for which you just plunked down several paychecks. (The diamond grading report that accompanies most stones weighing one carat or more is not an appraisal, although it does list all pertinent facts about a stone. An appraisal will double-check these facts.)
- To insure your ring at the proper amount to cover theft, loss, or damage (it is also a good idea to re-appraise your ring every three years to adjust for inflation or deflation).
- To record detailed information-a"fingerpring" plot diagram-that will enable you to legally claim a ring recovered by the police or to find a ring of "comparable quality" if your ring is lost or stolen (a diamond grading report serves a similar purpose.
Keep in Mind?
A gemologist can verify facts about your ring, an appraiser can assign a value to your ring; a gemologist appraiser can do both. Follow these tips to find someone you can trust: |
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10 Important Points to Consider |
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Certain buying basics apply to all jewelry, but when it comes to your wedding rings, the pair of bands you'll wear for countless anniversaries to come, a different set of shopping tips apply. Here are our 10 commandments to finding, affording, and caring for your all-important wedding rings. |
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back to Diamonds 101 | |
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1. Narrow Your Choices
Because this is one of the few pieces- if not the only piece-of jewelry you'll both shop for and wear, make some preliminary decisions. What color metal are you interested in- yellow or white? Perhaps all the jewelry you own is gold, but he wants a white metal to match his watch. Compromise; Look for bands that have both yellow and white metals. Are you interested in something simple or with a touch of flair? What about a band with diamonds or colored gems?
2. Set a Budget
A set of simple gold bands will cost from $125 to $200 each; plain platinum bands run $400 to $600 each. Diamond wedding bands average $742, according to the Diamond Information Center. Engraving on the inside of the band can cost form $1 to $8 per character, depending on the front and whether you have it engraved by hand or machine.
3.Start Browsing Early
Begin looking for your bands at least 2 months before your wedding date. this gives you time to browse and revisit rings that catch your eye. Allow even more time if you're interested in a custom piece. Engraving can take up to one month.
4.Think Practical
Keep your lifestyle in mind at all times: What's the point of buying something pretty if it makes you uncomfortable or you have to remove it often. Remember you will wear this band everyday. The idea is to choose something that becomes a part of your life seamlessly. For example, those who enjoy-or pursue for a living- sports or music should avoid wide, bulky bands and opt for a slimmer ring with rounded edges. Those who work with their hands might want to avoid the hassle of a diamond engagement ring and opt for something simpler that can't trap dirt. If you're allergic to certain metal alloys, invest in platinum. Its purity renders it hypoallergenic for most people.
5.Do the 20 Year Test
Don't be afraid to be different, but make sure the style you choose is something you will still want to wear in 20 years.
6.Be Smart About Size
Most people rarely take thier wedding bands off; they wear them through summers, winter, menstruation, exercise, pregnancies-all times when your fingers swell and contract due to heat, cold, water retention, and weight gain.
7.Check for Quality
This applies to all rings, but bears repeating. Make sure bands have two marks inside the shank ("ring" part of the ring): the manufacturer's trademark (proves they stand behind their work) and quality mark (24K or PLAT, for example -- proves that it's what they say it is). If the ring consists of two or more metals, make sure there is a quality mark for each.
8.Cleaning Your Ring
Cleaning your wedding rings is a cinch. For a ring with no stones, simply rub it with a soft, lint-free cloth (chamois is good). Grease can be removed by dipping the band in alcohol. Tarnish can be cleaned with a solution of soap, water, and a few drops of ammonia (simply brush the ring with a soft toothbrush, rinse-make sure the drain is closed!-and dry with a soft cloth). For a ring with stones, wash and soak it in warm sudsy water; brush with a soft toothbrush or eyebrow brush; rinse; and pat dry with a soft lint-free cloth. The Bridal Rings company includes a complimentary cleaning ket with all ciamond ring purchases.
9.Protect Your Investment
Yes, metals-even platinum-are vulnerable. Real life will never allow your rings to be completely blemish-free, but avoid wearing your ring when doing extremely rough work or sports (which can nick and scratch your rings) and when working with concentrated chlorine, such as that found in bleaches, cleaners, and swimming pool disinfectants (which can cause pitting or discoloration to your band). Nicks and scratches are most obvious on matte finishes and most easily affect platinum, which is softer than white or yellow gold on the surface but more durable in the long run. Luckily itís easy for your jeweler to re-apply-or change-the finish or plating on your ring to restore its former glory.
10.Keep Your Band On Your Hand
Youíd be surprised how easy it is to lose your ring. Hopefully, youíve chosen something that you rarely have to remove. When you absolutely have to do the deed, put it in a designated place so youíll always know where it is (pockets don't count) and never near a sink. If it does not fall down the drain on its own, your cat will help it along. The most dangerous time to remove your ring is when youíre away from home. Traveling is when most rings are lost, set down or forgotten. "Insurance companies warn that the greatest percentage of chance to loose or damage a wedding ring or stone from a wedding ring is in the first year of ownership." |
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