Whether you’re shopping for an engagement ring or a graduation present, it can be hard to choose the right diamond. But as long as you have the right information on hand you’ll be able to spend your budget wisely, and get the diamond that’s best suited to your needs. The first thing you need to do is to determine what shape you want for your diamond. Let’s figure out how to this.
How to choose the diamond shape and size
The first step here is to communicate! Find out what shape the person you’re buying the ring for likes. Yes, you should definitely keep the ring as much of a surprise as you can, but do make an effort to figure out if the person has a specific preference. Try rummaging around in your partner’s jewelry box to see if there’s a particular shape she tends to favor.
If you can’t find out what the recipient might like, go for a popular shape. Some of the more popular shapes include oval, round, Asscher-cut, emerald-cut, marquise-cut, pear-shaped, heart-shaped and radiant-cut diamonds. The most popular shape by far, however, is the round diamond, with oval coming in at second place.
The size of the diamond will depend on the budget. Within a given budget, you’ll find quite the wide range of sizes available for you. This range will be further narrowed when you decide on the quality of the diamond. Larger diamonds are not as common as small diamonds are, and so as the carat weight rises, so too will the diamond value exponentially. The key is to balance the size of the diamond with the overall diamond quality through an understanding of color, clarity and cut.
Choosing a shape that maximizes size
Here’s the thing. The most important aspect of a diamond will always be its cut. The cut of a diamond determines its brilliance, and how bright its sparkle will be. A large diamond, if not cut well, will appear dull. On the other hand, a well cut diamond will always shine brilliantly, even if it’s significantly smaller.
On the other hand, it’s an accepted norm that diamonds on engagement rings be as large as you can afford. People on a budget don’t need to fret, however. Certain cuts and shapes allow the diamond to look significantly larger. While round cut diamonds are the most popular shape, they’re also the most expensive. So a smaller round diamond is going to cost more than a larger one in a different shape. Simply by using a different design that’s not as popular, you can get a larger stone that’s within your budget. Oval diamonds, for instance, are more affordable. Pear shapes and marquise cuts will also always look bigger compared to other shapes of the same carat weight.
In the end, the shape of the diamond should depend on two factors – the style and preferences of your partner, and your own budget. Good luck!
