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Buying a Diamond Engagement Ring

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Buying a Diamond Engagement Ring is an emotional, financial and difficult decision to make.  Decide your budget and how much to spend.  I decided an amount and thought it was acceptable so just went for it.  Many people use the 2 months wages rule to define a budget to spend.  Once you have the budget you need to ask your self is this going to be a surprise or shall we go shopping together.

Some Gents purchase from Polished Diamonds a loose diamond for the engagement presentation and then allow the lady to design the ring.  This works great because you can get engaged traditionally but she can design her ultimate ring that she’ll wear forever – perfect.  If you have snooped around and know the design and her finger size then Polished Diamonds can use sophisticated CAD-CAM modelling software to show how the ring will look with the actual diamond size and to her finger size.  This allows you to confirm the design or make changes.

Other things to consider when buying a polished diamond is the shape, certificate, carat weight, price, colour, clarity, cut or symmetry and the supplier.  Diamonds come in many shapes and she may have a favorite so try to get this information from her friends and family or by dropping the odd hint.  If you get this wrong then Polished Diamonds offer a 7 day return window so if a Princess cut is not desired then simply return it and go for a Round brilliant or something else.  See our guide on Diamond Education earlier in this Blog as it has great information on how to choose a diamond.

You also need to consider the metal you will use in making the ring.  If Yellow Gold is going to be used then a high colour G-H or lower I-J is fine because yellow reflection will come from the metal anyway.  If Platinum, Palladium or White Gold is used go for diamond colour D-E-F in the top grades and G-H in the lower.  The lower colours are still very nice and will enable a larger diamond to be used.  Some ladies like size over quality.

For tips and useful information call your nearest Polished Diamonds store and ask for advice – we will gladly assist and tend to your requests.  Polished Diamonds are a trusted Diamond Jeweler – for a life time of happiness.

March 23, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment

Diamond Education – Polished Diamonds

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Buying diamonds or diamond jewellery is an important, emotional and serious event but should also remain enjoyable and memorable.  Polished Diamonds™ have certified Diamond Grading Technicians that will happily discuss technical aspects so for a personal, friendly approach contact us directly.  We created this ‘educational’ so clients can make an informed decision and buy better quality diamonds and diamond jewellery.  At anytime, go to our award winning online shop and view Diamonds, Wedding Rings and Diamond Engagement Ringswhich are custom made for each unique client.  We are here to help so please ask questions, feel comfortable about buying not from the ‘Net’ but from us - a Registered Diamond Company, Industry Guardians with Flexible Terms - let’s explore the options.

Diamonds are unique in that they can be categorized by characteristics associated with the material, namely Colour, Clarity, Cut and Carat.  The value and rarity of diamonds has produced unique parameters for grading these characteristics, in laboratory conditions.  Detailed reports are produced for each diamond and these enable a safe and secure purchase without actually viewing the diamonds involved.  The integrity and accuracy of the grading report is therefore a very important factor – what good is a diamond if the documents are wrong.  The most trustworthy and accurate diamond grading report is the GIA (Gemological Institute of America).  The GIA invented the modern diamond grading system and are the Worlds Authority on Diamonds, they are the most accurate and prudent facility – there is no better laboratory to certify your diamond.  Over 95% of the diamonds we sell are graded, audited, tested, approved and certificated by the Worlds best – the GIA.
So the 4 C’s of Diamonds refer to Carat, Cut, Colour and Clarity and we like to include the 5th C, – Certification.  If a diamond is graded by an inaccurate diamond laboratory the colour, clarity, carat and cut will be incorrect.  Always insist on accurate diamond grading or you’ll be buying a lemon when an apple is required.

Diamond Carat: refers to a measurement of weight as opposed to size.  Originally a ‘carab’ was a seed which was used as a weight measure – this adaption is where carat derives its name.  1 carat is equal to 100 points; so 75 points is ¾ of a carat.  Carat is the most price sensitive part of a diamond as it refers to the mass and a proportionate size.  Diamonds are rare and as the size and carat weight increase they become very scarce.  Low supply of high carat diamonds and high demand has pushed the price equilibrium to high limits.  Half a carat diamonds are very popular as you get good value and reasonable size; once a diamond hits 1 carat, the price increases exponentially to the size.  Below are some comparison in sizes and although not to scale, it does allow you to see that a 1.00 carat diamond is not twice the size of a 0.50 carat diamond but it is twice the weight and about three-four times the price.

Diamond Colour: Diamonds follow a colour spectrum that journeys from colourless through to light yellow.  The rare diamonds have less yellow saturation and so are more valuable.  The GIA started the colour grading system in the 1950’s and as such are the masters of correct colour calibration (after all they did invent it).  Diamonds are colour graded by the GIA using alpha tags to describe each colour. The top colour is D and the spectrum follows down through the alphabet gaining more yellow as it proceeds.  The top colours are D-E-F as they are colourless G-H-I-J are near colourless and represent excellent value. K-L-M start to show faint colour and are suited to yellow gold jewellery.

Diamond Clarity: diamonds that are 100% pure crystalized carbon are known as IF or internally flawless.  These diamonds are extremely rare as often very small contaminants are inside the diamond – known as inclusions.  These inclusions are ‘natures fingerprints’ and nothing to be worried about as long as you can’t see them.  The grading of these inclusions was also developed by GIA and is based around the size of the inclusion / imperfection.
Internally Flawless diamonds are essentially pure and clean of any inclusions; the next level down is VVS which means ‘Very Very Slight’ these inclusions are microscopic only visible through 25 x magnification.  The next range is VS which means ‘Very Slight’ which are dedectable using a 10 x loupe but a good search is required and novices usually do not spot them.  Then there is SI meaning ‘Slight Inclusion’ and these are still eye clean but are easily detected when enlarged 10 times under magnification; these diamonds are eye clean and a popular choice.  Then there are I meaning ‘Included’ and these stones have visible marks and are to be avoided unless size/carat is required under a limited budget.
Each category is also broken into 1-2 which shows the size but more the severity and location of the inclusion.  VVS1 is very very slight on the outer edge, VVS2 is very very slight more centrally located. VS1 is very slight outer edge and in faceting, VS2 very slight closer to central table. Si1 slight and away from centre, Si2 slight and central.
There are also different types of inclusions so a VS1 could be several types of inclusion like feathers, twinning wisps, needles, natural indentures, black knats etc.

Diamond Cut: this refers to both the general shape of the diamond and also how well that shape has been made.  We’ll refer to it as cut micro and cut macro:
Diamond cut macro is the general shape of the diamond.  Diamond rough in octahedron form naturally gives itself to cutting round brilliant diamonds.  Other diamond rough shapes like ‘flats’ suit shapes like emerald cuts and tear-drops.  The shape of a diamond is usually guided by diamond rough retention as this increases the finished carat weight and will command a higher price.  There are many different shapes so do view our ‘Diamond Selection’.  Some of the more popular ones are below:
The ‘diamond cut micro’ refers to the quality of how the above diamond shapes have been made.  This area looks at the angles and symmetry of the diamond to maximise light return and so, increase the sparkle.  Diamonds are a 3D object and there are many different areas of a diamond.  The table is the top area; the pavillion the bottom area that goes down to a culet or keel and the outer most rim is known as the girdle.  All these parts of the diamond have a set tolerence of angle degree, size, alignment and shape which is a known and agreed measurement.  The highest tolerence of this measurement is called ‘Excellent’ and if any of the mentioned diamond areas like girdle, pavilion or table fall just outside the very highest tolerence the diamond becomes ‘Very Good’.  The difference between these two is miniscule and laser tracing and laboratory conditions are required to tell the two apart.  We sell mainly ‘Very Good’ to ‘Excellent’ as they sparkle the best.
After ‘Very Good’ cut grade is ’Good’ cut grade which is still nice and a worthy purchase if your budget is tight - not much light performance is lost but the price is lower.  After ‘Good’ comes ‘Fair’ and ‘Poor’ and we do not sell these as they lack lustre and sparkling brilliance.  At Polished Diamonds™ we disclose all information as we want you to have the best you can get.  Examples below show how an Excellent to Very Good cut diamond handles light for a perfect sparkle:

Diamonds are very unique and one can spend a lifetime understanding how the ‘hardest of earth’s natural minerals’ can be cut and shaped to reflect light.  The colours and qualities that diamonds present can sometimes be difficult to match for a particular budget.  We invite you to call and chat with our friendly gemmologist or complete an online enquiry and one of us will answer your questions at the earliest opportunity.
Polished Diamonds™ 1st in Diamonds – for a Lifetime of Happiness – Guaranteed!

March 19, 2009 by admin · 3 Comments

Platinum Rings or White Gold Rings

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Diamond rings are important items as they literally hold the diamond in place and need to be secure, comfortable and look good.  There are many metals available to manufacture a diamond engagement ring - let’s look at some basics:

Platinum is a very hard and dense metal which makes it very durable and secure.  Platinum diamond rings have a white metal almost chrome look about them which is very stylish and popular in the 1990’s and in through the new millennium.  Platinum is hypoallergenic which means it is kind on sensitive fingers.  Being a naturally white metal, Platinum requires little maintenance to keep looking good – whereas white gold is Rhodium Plated.  Platinum is the best metal for a white /chrome looking diamond ring design although it is more expensive per gram.

White Gold is alloyed to white metals to turn the yellow gold into a grey material.  White Gold is then Rhodium plated to give it a high mirror like finish.  White Gold was developed as a substitute to Platinum and is not as strong and hard wearing.  White Gold is popular as it is relatively inexpensive and mainstream so consumers are confident to make the purchase.  White Gold in the US is often 14kt although we at Polished Diamonds use 18kt as we like to give more luxury.

Palladium is also another metal to consider using.  Palladium come from the Platinum group of metals and shares the purity and whiteness of Platinum.  It is light weight which is good for chunky engagement rings that may weigh a considerable amount.  Palladium is well price and is considered better than white gold but not as good as platinum.

March 17, 2009 by admin · 3 Comments

Invest in Diamonds

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Diamonds are an investment instrument when purchased at the right price and with a quality that is highly demanded. Let’s look at this statement in greater detail:

Price: Diamonds can pass through several dealers before a consumer wears it on their finger and as such a margin or profit taking is applied in each step. Getting a good price means going direct to firms that deal with diamond cutters and cut out the middle man. Polished Diamonds deal with several large site holder firms that cut diamond rough – therefore the price is close to manufacturing / wholesale.

Quality: Diamonds come in different colours, different sizes (carat) and different clarity’s. If you have the top of each category the diamond is heavily demanded and this pushes the price up and forms an investment instrument. The higher the quality the higher the price but also the higher the gain as diamonds appreciate at a set percentage. Pink diamonds, Fancy Yellow diamonds are sought after and appreciate so form a good investment option.

As diamond mines slow production and alluvial or surface diamonds deplete it costs more to drill deep into the ground to extract the diamond. This extra work load increases the over-head price to extract and forces the price up. The Argyle diamond mine in Australia is the Worlds main source of Pink diamonds. The alluvial supply has stopped and they must drill deeper to find more diamonds which makes it more expensive. These diamonds will increase in value because of they are extremely rare and expensive to produce.

Diamonds can also be set in earrings while they appreciate in value. Buying 2 x 1.00 carat F-VS2, Ideal round diamonds can look amazing in diamond earrings or diamond rings while the years tick by and the price increases. How cool is that – you can wear your investment and get charming comments. Ever tried to wear a share certificate – ha ha.

Dan Joines: CEO of Polished Diamonds Intl

March 2, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment