It might seem like you're entering an entirely new world of terms and jargon when one starts discussing the inner workings of a diamond. But do not fret, for this article has you covered. By understanding the 4C’s of a diamond and what you're looking for one can easily pick the right diamond.
Some helpful advice before you get started
Before jumping into selecting your diamond it's smart to understand the diamond's anatomy first. Below is a summary of the 4C’s, an alliterative system explaining everything you need to know about purchasing diamonds.
Familiarize yourself with the 4’Cs (For an in-depth guide on each of the 4C’s click on each heading)
- Cut quality: The diamond’s cut is more than just the shape of the stone. It's also the overall light balance throughout the diamond. Essentially how well light bounces and refract across the facets.
- Color: The amount of yellowing the diamond has or lacks.
- Clarity: the number of inclusions and blemishes that plague the diamond
- Carat weight: measurement of how much a diamond weighs
Now that you have a general understanding of the 4C’s you will have a keener eye when moving on to the next step; selecting your diamond shape.
Choosing your diamond shape.
A great place to start your hunt is to look at the many diamond shapes that Dunkin’s Diamonds offers. Picking a shape depends on both the purpose of the ring and the preferences of the ring bearer. Luckily there really is no wrong answer when it comes to diamond shapes. When you finally purchase the ring, the shape is not what matters most, but the meaning behind its purchase. However, that should not encourage you to pick a random shape. If you do, you miss out on all the love you could add to the ring by simply selecting a shape that relates to your purpose. For example, if it's a wedding ring you are after, try looking at the rounder shapes. Round diamonds tend to reflect the most light and give off the most brilliance with their many facets. A round diamond becomes perfect in this case because the ring represents the radiance and strength of a new marriage. Below we have compiled some diamond shapes that we believe symbolize different things. Take these tips with a grain of salt as they are suggestions and up to interpretation.
Diamond shapes and their meaning
Round: The round diamond's simple yet brilliant glamour looks beautiful in any scenario or setting. Whether it be for a wedding or anniversary, its strong everlasting brilliance symbolizes love without end which is perfect for those eternal vows.
Pear: Since this shape is so unique and outstanding it symbolizes independence and empowerment. Pear-shaped diamond rings are a great choice for strengthening bonds filled with love and passion. Therefore, a pear-cut diamond works great for anniversaries.
Princess: The squared geometric edges of this diamond generate a sense of symmetrical beauty. This shape works great when paired with any earring or bracelet setting and can accentuate the delicacy of a lady's hand. Furthermore, this cut is also attractive for weddings as it has a similar radiance to that of a round cut but always goes well with other jewelry. Note for the guys: It may also make her feel like a princess :)
Marquise: The marquise diamond’s slender and sleek presentation represents royalty and grandeur. When considering this shape know that the diamond's outstanding posture might represent the bearer's loyalty. This cut works great for any occasion, but we think it can work especially well on an engagement ring.
Heart: You might hear the layman say that heart shapes are tacky or childish. Well, they are very wrong! Heart shapes are passionate and adorable. This diamond truly shines (pun intended) on pendants and could even be used as a cute engagement ring.
Oval: This shape is for those who find beauty in the imperfect. An oval is round but not perfectly circular and can therefore be used to represent unconditional love. We find this diamond exceptional for engagement rings because it highlights the most important aspect of relationships; Loving someone for their flaws.
Emerald: The many strong stairstep-like edges of this rectangular-shaped diamond are perfect for that special someone who is bold, daring, and exceptional. These stair step cuts in the emerald represent the infinite amount of heights the ring bearer can reach. These empowering attributes of the emerald diamond add to its versatility and allow it to work in any setting.
Radiant: Like the emerald cut, the radiant diamond has an empowering rectangular shape. However, the radiant diamond shape is slightly more brilliant than its sister cut. Thus, because of this added brilliance, the radiant glorifies strength and stability. This sense of stability works great for engagement rings as it mirrors the unity between spouses.
Cushion: This diamond cut dates all the way back to the 1700s with its original name the old mine cut. This shape is perfect for someone who does not let the past dictate their future and is ready to look forward to a new chapter in life. The optimistic symbolism that comes with the cushion diamond shape makes it perfect for marriages, anniversaries, promise rings, and of course engagements.
Asscher: The octagonal structure of the Asscher cut draws the eyes into the diamond's core. Additionally, the shape of this diamond is perfect for that special someone who is eye-catching and alluring in every way. Ultimately, the mesmerizing effect of the Asscher diamond is perfect for engagement rings and weddings.
Lab-grown vs Natural Diamonds
You might have some skepticism in regards to whether or not you should go for a lab-grown diamond or a natural diamond. Hopefully, these next few quick words will clear up some of that hesitance for you.
What is a Natural Diamond:
Natural diamonds are diamonds made inside the earth's mantle millions of years ago that have erupted to the earth's surface through volcanoes. When mining volcanic rock and debris, natural diamonds can be found. Each of these diamonds is always going to be unique due to the differing environments in which they were created.
For more on natural diamonds, see the “All about Natural and Lab-grown diamonds” page
What is a Lab-grown diamond:
Lab-grown diamonds are diamonds that are curated and grown in a high-tech laboratory environment. These diamonds are created by mimicking the process that makes natural diamonds. The diamonds are made of pure carbon atoms and make the diamond by undergoing a High-PRessure High-Temperature process (HPHT). For more on lab-grown diamonds see the “All about Natural and Lab-grown diamonds” There you can learn about the pros and cons of lab-grown diamonds.
What is diamond certification and what does it mean for me?
This question tends to arise for those who are unfamiliar with the diamond buying process. The good thing is our professionals have this part covered. Simply put, Diamond Certification is a process that your diamond undergoes to evaluate its quality based on the diamond’s cut, color, clarity, and carat Weight (the 4C’s). The process was created by the Gemological Institute of America(GIA) and ensures that your diamond is what is advertised. This is why you see the GIA symbol next to your diamond. However, GIA isn't the only diamond grader; there are other reputable sources such as the American Gem Society (AGS) and the International Gemological Institute (IGI) that do the same thing. In short, if your diamond is certified by companies like these three you can be sure of its complete authenticity.
