Top 4 Diamond Buying Mistakes

Nowadays it is pretty easy and simple to buy a diamond or diamond jewellery. Tons of jewellery shops, independent jewellers, websites and more offer customers with a fabulous array of dazzling gems in various price points. People today also look at loose diamond specialists and specialty stores to buy loose gems and have them set at a later date or for investment purposes.

Diamonds are dazzling and people are often spell bound by their looks to pay attention to the nitty gritties of buying good quality diamonds. Whether you decide to go to a traditional jeweller in store or go via today's online route, taking an informed decision and making an educated purchase is a must. To make sure you get your money's worth avoid these very common diamond buying mistakes 

You start unawares – Buying a diamond isn't all about finding a beautiful stone that you think will look good on a ring. As a buyer who is approaching loose diamond specialists or a store, know which components of this stone you should be paying attention and what qualities affect the value of the diamond in question. The four basic tenets of diamond shopping must be researched namely the cut, carat weight, the clarity and the colour which are known as the 4Cs. To start you off the carat refers to the weight of the stone, the colour ranges from absolutely colourless to lightly coloured (unless it is a specifically coloured stone like a yellow or pink diamond), the clarity refers to the presence or absence of natural blemishes and inclusions in the stone and the cut refers to how a diamond reflects light due to the quality of its cut which will ideally be from the top surface of the gem. Brush up on the basics throughly before you begin looking for diamonds to purchase.

You don't ask for a certificate – A diamond must be certified and have been graded by a gemological standard and not simply verified or appraised by the jeweller or retailer in question.  A certification will imply that the diamond has been examined, assessed, graded by an independent institution based on the 4Cs that will give you an idea of its quality in these aspects. Be wary of a seller that does not offer certified diamonds.

You don't do a price check – Although you may find a retailer or loose diamond specialists you trust, make sure you do a comparative price check from different sources.  Settling for the first price you have been offered could lead to a costly mistake and you will end up paying a lot more for something you could have gotten cheaper.

Not checking the return policy – When buying loose diamonds or diamond jewellery too experts always suggest checking to see what the seller's return policies are and what the trade or exchange rules are as well. A healthy return policy is all the more important when you are purchasing online.

Engagement Ring Shopping Tips for Him

Engagement rings are a tradition that goes back centuries and one that holds super duper importance even today. The would be bride definitely awaits for a beautiful and thoughtful ring from her special man, and it is definitely going to be a piece of jewellery she will flaunt to friends, family and her social media peeps. If you think the pressure is on, it probably is! But there is no reason to get totally stressed out before purchasing a gorgeous ring for your sweetheart.

Once you figure out what your budget is, it is time to start looking for that perfect ring just for her. A ring that symbolises your love, affection and the commitment you are making to each other for a sweet happily ever after.

So let's take a look at a few steps that will make shopping for an engagement ring a little bit easier

Brush up on the basics of diamonds – When in doubt it might be best to go with diamonds! Unless budget prohibits, most women love a gleaming rock on their finger, whatever the size may be. When shopping for diamond rings, it would be a good idea to do a quick study of what it entails and the 4 basic tenets, namely the cut, carat weight, colour and clarity of a diamond. The cut and shape of the stone will basically depend on personal preference; the carat weight of the diamond as well as its size will depend on your budget. You will also find colour and clarity grades that will affect the look and cost of the stone in question.

Consider your shopping options – Now whether you are looking to buy diamonds in New York or New Delhi you don't have to get stressed out about wear to shop. If the thought of going from store to store makes you break out in a cold sweat you can simply turn to the wondrous online world and find a variety of well known diamond and diamond jewellery retailers that will deliver the prized ring right to your door step. If you are going to go to a physical store get some recommendations and limit yourself to a couple so you don't get too flustered. Take a pal for some help or better yet ask your lady love's friend to steer you in the right direction! Make sure you buy certified jewellery to validate its authenticity.

Pay attention to her style – This is the time when you will need to pay a little attention to what your bride to be likes to wear and what her basic style is. A loud glitzy ring for someone who likes timeless and classic styles or a traditional ring for a woman who prides herself on being eclectic and funky just shows that you might not have being paying attention to her preferences!  Does she prefer yellow gold or white metals? Wants a diamond or plain band? Stumped even after trying to study her tastes? If possible ask a close friend or sibling to weigh in on it as well.

Take your time and let your love for her dictate the shopping experience rather than the stress!

An Ideal Accompaniment to Bridal Fashion – Princess Cut Diamond Earrings

Weddings are about love, commitment and honouring a relationship. But for most brides, it is also about the bridal clothes and accessories! Bridal fashion has turned into a gigantic industry and for good reason. This is the one day you have the absolute liberty of dressing up like a princess and being treated like royalty. You want to look and feel your best and be that glowing blushing bride that is gushed about. Finding the right bridal dress, the accessories and having the right look becomes of paramount importance.

Another aspect that features big in weddings, in cultures all over the world, is that of jewellery! Wedding jewellery is not only meant to make you shine on your big day, be part of your trousseau or be worn for the nuptial related events, but is often cherished, saved and passed on as heirloom pieces. Which is why it comes as no surprise that one of the most popular features in bridal jewellery today is a pair of gorgeous princess cut diamond earrings?

Princess cut diamonds are loved all over the world, and come second to only the brilliant cut round diamonds where the popularity charts are concerned. And there are good reasons for that. Firstly, jewellery with this cut of diamonds, like princess cut diamond earrings, are eternally chic. They are classic pieces in a classic shape that never go out of style. They speak of elegance and as the name suggests look regal and beautiful, pretty apt for a bride. They also fit in really well with the whole vintage style aesthetic that is so big these days. Romantic and with an old world like charm, princess cut rocks also work exceptionally well for rings, apart from earrings.

Another reason why you might want to consider getting a pair of princess cut diamond earrings is that usually as they cost a little less than their round counterparts when it comes to its price per carat. The reason being its shape lends itself to more efficient cutting from the rough stone, resulting in a lot less wastage. Traditionally a square or squarish shaped diamond, princes cuts also come in more rectangular shapes, which cost a little less. What you choose of course depends largely on what kind of look you prefer.

The cost factor coupled with the fact that a princess cut diamond tends to look bigger than a brilliant round cut gem of the same carat weight, makes them ideal for jewellery during weddings when you definitely want more bang for your buck. This illusionary size difference has to do with the crown surface area this cut affords you, thanks to its inverted pyramid-like shape.

Princess cut diamonds also have a eye-catching fire and brilliance that draws the eye in immediately. Which is why having a pair of princess cut diamond earrings is perfect for when you want the attention toward the beautiful and happy face of a bride!

Forever in vogue; trendy yet classic – this accessory is definitely a worthy investment!

How to buy the perfect Asscher diamond engagement rings

When you go out shopping for diamond rings, it is unlikely for you to pay attention to all aspects of a diamond. However, if you want a perfect diamond ring for your engagement, you must ensure that you have complete and detailed information about these gleaming rocks. The Asscher cut is a particular cut of diamond that consumers are not very familiar with. There is a lot of confusion concerning the Asscher cut of diamonds. This level of confusion is heightened because of the availability of two types of Asscher cuts – the Standard Asscher cut and the Royal Asscher cut. It is important to be careful when making choices when it comes to Asscher diamond engagement rings in terms of its colour, clarity and cut quality.

1.  Colour:

Being cautious is the first step when examining the colour of an Asscher cut or Emerald cut. You can drop your guard when choosing diamonds with a Round Brilliant Cut or a Princess Cut. The latter cuts help in disguising a diamond’s rough material. When it comes to the Asscher cut, the scenario is totally opposite. These cuts lack radiance and therefore, the roughness cannot be masked easily. When buying the Asscher diamond engagement rings, always opt for a lower H colour. The most important thing to remember when buying diamond engagement rings is to ensure that there should be a similarity in the tones of the centre diamond and the side stones.

2.  Clarity:

The clarity is the most important factor that separates an Asscher or Emerald cut from other shapes of diamonds. The other cuts are also known as the ‘Brilliant’ stones. This is simply because of the fact that they are placed that allow light to enter and exit in a variety of ways. This is the reason diamonds appear luminous and thus, attractive to the human eye. It not only provides a shiny surface but it is also a way to conceal the impurities that are prevalent in a diamond. The Asscher cut, on the other hand, is a step cut wherein a sparkle or brilliance is absent. When buying Asscher diamond engagement rings, it is best to stick to a VS2 Clarity or higher.  

3.  Cut quality:

Round cuts are easier to buy. There is less complication and there are few factors to pay attention to. The situation is exactly the opposite when it comes to an Asscher cut. There are no definite rules that decide the quality of an Asscher or an Emerald cut. Sometimes, this can be a daunting task. However, experts suggest that a Total Depth between 60% and 68% is ideal when buying Asscher diamond rings. When it comes to the Asscher cut, the lower this percentage, the better it is. Unlike other cuts, the depth of the Asscher or emerald cuts have absolutely no impact on the brilliance. It is, therefore advisable to not go beyond 68%.

Remember these easy tips to ensure that you buy the best engagement rings for your special day.

Jewel up for the Weekend Perfectly – Some Must-Haves!

It is sensational as to how when done right the smallest pieces of jewelry can transform your look entirely. On the other hand, too much shine and you could end up looking like a disaster. How easy and refined can jewelry be when you take the simple steps of setting your list of the most needed essentials in your wardrobe.  For most of us diamonds are home. Nothing beats the solid glitter of the tiny rocks. However what are the key elements that your jewelry box should hold? From beautiful princess cut diamond earrings to emeralds, here’s a list that will transform your thinking about baubles.

Solitaire Studs:

Any diamond lover knows that to get your rocks right you need to understand the 4 C’s of the diamond language: cut, carat, color and clarity. After this it is on you to splurge as much as you need on a classic pair of solitaire studs. They are the perfect match to your crisp white shirt and dark blue denims for work, or the sun-dress for your late afternoon or that LBD which you sport in the night as you put your hair down and party. The princess cut diamond earrings serve as one of the best solitaire shapes around.

Emeralds and Diamonds:

A match made in jewel heaven, emeralds and diamonds speak of a chemistry which has been since the birth of the stars. They are classic way to perk up the evening in any and every form, be it your marriage or a cocktail party with your international clients. This combination never goes wrong. There are certain colors however that compliments the hues of an emerald diamond neck-piece or bracelet like off whites and largely pastels.

Solid Gold:

A band of gold can be the perfect edge to your finger. Italian gold rings are the most famous and ideal options when it comes to investing in these. It’s all about the design, with swirls and simplicity blending in to form a result of the perfect harmony for every individual taste. Make sure your gold ring speaks about you when you wear it, since jewelry that does not reflect you is just a waste of ethnicity and charm.

Strings of Pearls:

Your grandma’s cupboard will have the treasure of your childhood - that single string of pearly white pearls that was the apple of your eye since you learned to play.  A modern version of this simple classic also involves a classic strap of silver with a tiny diamond lock and it could also have two or three strands of pearls attached in the centre to give it that curvy look of regality.  Pearls are the best compliments to any evening dress and are the preferred elements of class during any social.

Princess cut diamond earrings, charm bracelets of white gold and platinum, long thin gold chains that adorn a cross and a simple fabric ring; these are elements that make jewelry come alive.