Most important things when look for a diamond??

[Busybee6778]

What are the top most important things to look for & consider when searching for a diamond? Cut, clarity, color etc.

 

[Gypsy]

Cut. Cut. Cut.

https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds Read all the links. Especially this one: https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-cut


What shape are you looking for?

 

[Niel]

cut

cut is what makes the diamond sparkle. If not, why wouldnt you just buy a 10 ct D color IF CZ??

Because it doesnt sparkle like a diamond! And to get the most sparkle, you need the best cut.

All the rest are subjective.

Clarity, to a degree, is a mixture of eye cleanliness and mind cleanliness. Some people arent comfortable going lower than VS1 or whatever grade for one reason or another. I, personally, look at it as you dont wear the certificate on your finger, so as long as i cant see the inclusion, im content. Now thats can vary by person. But you can get an eye clean stone at SI1, and if you are happy buying a stone like that, youre lucky, as it saves you some $$$

Color is what you like to look at, do you like a stark white diamond, do you like it to have no tint one way or the other? do you like it creamy? Do you like it yellow?

Dont let anyone tell you you HAVE to by a D, or an H, or a K for that matter, you are allowed to wear WHATEVER color you want, and make sure you like it before you buy it, see it in person. As ive seen people think Js are too tinted, and Ds are entirely too white.

And carat, well, thats often just as much as you can afford.

 

[Busybee6778]

Great info!! Thanks! I like the round and possibly oval. I agree, I'm not wearing the certificate on my hand, I just want it to be pleasing to the eyes. As far as color I don't want it to look yellow. The ring has pave & maybe a halo. I don't want the color of the stone & pave to clash & the diamond look yellow.

 

[bunnycat]

Great info!! Thanks! I like the round and possibly oval. I agree, I'm not wearing the certificate on my hand, I just want it to be pleasing to the eyes. As far as color I don't want it to look yellow. The ring has pave & maybe a halo. I don't want the color of the stone & pave to clash & the diamond look yellow.

ANother thing to keep in mind is to be honest with yourself what you want most out of a diamond. If you want something that is very sparkly, a well cut round stone is probably going to give you the best bang for your buck. Ovals tend to have a better spread for weight over rounds, but you may sacrifice a little in the sparkle department. Learn what you can expect performance-wise (as in how much and what kind) from the types of shape that interest you.

 

[Busybee6778]

I definitely want it to sparkle like crazy! There's so many gorgeous rings on here & different cuts. Looking at all the pictures makes it hard to choose. The round cut is my favorite though.

 

[Niel]

I definitely want it to sparkle like crazy! There's so many gorgeous rings on here & different cuts. Looking at all the pictures makes it hard to choose. The round cut is my favorite though.

Its not that a well cut oval won't sparkle. Just not to the degree a round will.

The either thing to consider is fancy shapes are a lot more interesting. I couldn't decide between rounds and fancies so I ended up getting one of each as I needed something sparkly and interesting.

 

[Rhino]

Here is the relative "light return" between an ideal round and an oval that Octonus constructed for the DiamCalc program. The scores you see on the right are based on ray trace algorithms programmed by them to measure the characteristics you see there. In a nutshell yes ... a round will outdo even more of the nicer ovals but it really depends on what it is your fiancé likes best. View the two side by side.

But then even when it comes to round diamonds there are rounds cut with very different personalities as well. There are rounds that emphasize many more sparkles than a typical round but the flashes are smaller and there are also rounds that emphasize bolder/broader reflections but fewer. Many personalities to suite many varying tastes and here on this forum you'll find opinions of all kinds. You're in a good place to learn.

All the best on your journey.

Rhino

 

[Rhino]

That graphic seemed a little small so I made bigger.

 

[Busybee6778]

Seeing those pictures help a lot! I'm not sure I understand about the bold flashes & small flashes. How do I tell when looking at a diamond? Also when it comes to color, what ranges should I stay in? I want it in the whiter range & not creamy or yellow. Thanks!!! You all are so much help

 

[Niel]

Seeing those pictures help a lot! I'm not sure I understand about the bold flashes & small flashes. How do I tell when looking at a diamond? Also when it comes to color, what ranges should I stay in? I want it in the whiter range & not creamy or yellow. Thanks!!! You all are so much help

If you are haloing it I would say, unless going over 1.5 CTS, an I color round and a G color oval. Some people say stay h or whiter with halos, I don't agree, as a halo hides the side of the diamond, which is what shows the most color, an I will face up white, and will not clash with the melee. Ovals tend to show more color, so to be safe stay G or whiter.


Have you looked at possibly long cushions? They are similar to ovals as they elongate the finger but can have better performance, and bigger flashes. I don't rmemeber your budget but this is a stunner.

http://www.victorcanera.com/diamonds/edm2xd

 

[Busybee6778]

Seeing those pictures help a lot! I'm not sure I understand about the bold flashes & small flashes. How do I tell when looking at a diamond? Also when it comes to color, what ranges should I stay in? I want it in the whiter range & not creamy or yellow. Thanks!!! You all are so much help

If you are haloing it I would say, unless going over 1.5 CTS, an I color round and a G color oval. Some people say stay h or whiter with halos, I don't agree, as a halo hides the side of the diamond, which is what shows the most color, an I will face up white, and will not clash with the melee. Ovals tend to show more color, so to be safe stay G or whiter.


Have you looked at possibly long cushions? They are similar to ovals as they elongate the finger but can have better performance, and bigger flashes. I don't rmemeber your budget but this is a stunner.

http://www.victorcanera.com/diamonds/edm2xd

Wow! Lovely... haven't seen that cut before. I adore the uniqueness but I worry it will not look appealing on my hand seeing that my fingers are already long & thin. I should probably go & try on different shapes. I've tried on a 1.5 carat round & loved the looks of it on my hand. My price range is 7-10k.

 

[Gypsy]

Since you are looking at ovals as well;
Rounds: CUT and light performance.

Ovals (and all fancies): light performance and faceting.