Wedding Ring Info- Selecting a Diamond
Acquiring wedding ring info on selecting a diamond for the bride to be can be just as important as the wedding day itself, maybe even more important. A wedding ring is the symbol of marriage that every bride will wear for the rest of her life, so choose carefully and with knowledge.
The instant two people decide to marry is probably the most intimate, important moment of their lives. It marks that point in time where two commit to become one forever. As a gift of love, diamonds are used to symbolize the unbreakable bond of marriage and the ring is an external symbol of the love and commitment to each other. The first step in finding the perfect ring is dealing with a reputable jeweler. The store should be able to provide a large selection of styles and help you feel comfortable and become educated prior to making your decision. Many people are confused about how diamonds are priced. The best explanation is that the asking price of a diamond depends on its beauty and rarity which are determined by the 4C's. The 4C's are used throughout the world to classify the rarity of diamonds. No one C is more important than another in terms of beauty and it is important to note that each of the 4C's will not diminish in value over time. Diamonds are classified according to what diamond merchants call the 4 C's: cut, clarity, color and carat.
*CUT - This is what gives a diamond its brilliance and should not be confused with the shape of a diamond. How well a diamond is cut determines its sparkle and fire. Brilliant cut stones have fifty-eight facets that reflect light, while step-cut stones have fewer facets and thus less brilliance. There are several different shapes of diamonds that include: round brilliant, pear, oval, marquise, emerald, princess, and heart.
ROUND BRILLIANT - This is the most popular shape for engagement rings and the best "sparkler," since this cut transmits more light than any other.
PEAR - Your jeweler can provide details on the cutting of a pear as they have their own guidelines to be well-cut. Fancy shapes of pears differ and can be wide or elongated.
MARQUISE - The marquise is named after Louis XV's mistress, the Marquise de Pompadour, who preferred her gems cut in this shape. The extra labor involved in cutting the diamond makes it more expensive than a round brilliant of a similar size and quality.
EMERALD - The name for the stone that is often fashioned this way, the emerald cut has less sparkle than a round brilliant but is a very elegant look nonetheless. Princess Grace of Monaco's engagement ring was a 12 carat emerald-cut diamond solitaire.