HowToSelect a diamond

Diamonds > How To Select Diamonds

Select Diamonds the Easy Way

If you are comfortable with your choice of on-line diamond supplier in terms of qualifications, code of ethics and industry affiliations, then you can confidently use this quick and easy method of choosing your diamond criteria.

Step 1 - Decide on CUT

The Cut actually refers to two separate aspects of a diamonds appearance:

The shape of diamonds and the make of diamonds

The make is a trade definition that refers to. symmetry and proportional quality

The Shape of diamonds

Round Brilliant diamonds are currently the most popular shape for engagement rings followed by Princess cut diamonds and Emerald cut diamonds

For earrings and pendants the most popular are Round Brilliant diamonds followed by Princess cut diamonds and Pear shape diamonds

Sometimes keen prices can be achieved by choosing less popular shapes like Oval cut diamonds and Radiant cut diamonds. Remember though, that often the decision to cut a fancy shape is based on the dimensions of the original rough diamond material. These diamonds are often cut for weight retention at the expense of quality.

The Make of diamonds

To decide on make,

For quality and beauty – select "Ideal to very good ”;

For a larger diamond for your money – select "good";

Lowest grades – not recommended for engagement rings due to a noticeable lack of brilliance and fire (even when colour and clarity are very high).

Tip: Read " Practical advice on CUT "

Step 2 - Decide on COLOUR

To decide on the Colour of the diamond

For perfection regardless of cost - select D colour

For excellent quality and beauty - select E or F colours (colourless to the untrained eye)

For a larger stone for your money without sacrificing appearance – select G, H, or I colours (near colourless to the untrained eye)

If you like very faint yellow tints -- select colours like J, K, L, or M

Tip: Read "Practical Advice on Colour"

Step 3 - Decide on CLARITY

To decide on Clarity consider:

Select Internally Flawless (IF) or Loupe Clean (LC) for perfection regardless of cost.

Select VVS1 or VVS2 for flawless to an untrained eye when viewed with a loupe, 10 x magnification.

Select VS1, VS2 for flawless to the naked eye, even to a diamond grader - very light inclusions visible under 10 x magnification with the loupe. " Good Value for Money"

Select SI1 or SI2 for flawless to the naked untrained eye." Very good value for money if inclusion are in a good position"

Select I1 clarity if you don't mind some small inclusions that might be visible to the naked eye in consideration of a larger stone that still sparkles.

We don't recommend I2 or I3 clarity grades for engagement rings because they lack brilliance and crack or chip more easily due to distinct inclusions or fractures.

Tip: Read "Practical Advice on Clarity"

Step 4 - Decide on CARAT WEIGHT

Although size will be the single most important factor in the price of a stone, it does not affect the beauty. First, decide on the quality you want (the first 3 Cs above), and then decide on the largest size you can afford to meet those guidelines. For instance, a 1-carat diamond is much more costly than two 1/2 carat diamonds of the same quality.

To decide on Carat Weight consider:

Most people budget between 1 to 3 months' salary for a diamond engagement ring.

Apply your budget to the price charts in the diamond prices section.

The most popular sizes are 0.50 carat, 0.75-carat, and 1-carat diamonds.