Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Loose Diamonds: What Cut Makes The Best Gift

For most people, the only time they buy diamonds is when they want wedding or engagement rings. The smart way to go about this is to look for loose diamonds first and have them set later. You can inspect them for defects better, and improve your chances of a good deal. However, you need to be careful when buying. It's easy to make mistakes and pay too much, or get stuck with an inferior diamond.

When looking at loose diamonds, you should confirm the diamond's value. You'll want to examine each one for the four C's; carat weight, cut, clarity and color. But keep in mind that each diamond is unique, and it's unlikely for a single diamond to get two separate assessments with identical results. Ultimately, the value of a diamond is subjective, so you shouldn't be too engrossed looking for it's exact value.

The most prominent diamond cut is the round brilliant cut. Thanks to the work of Marcel Tolkowsky, the proportions essential to get the most brilliance and fire out of a diamond were established and popularized. Further innovations refined Tolkowsky's measurements to optimize diamond's potential for brilliance.

The round brilliant cut is also the most enduringly popular cut. On the other hand, fancy cuts become popular based on prevailing fashions. Nowadays, people look for sparkle, so the heart, oval, and pear cuts are popular. However, the quality and value of a diamond is dependent on other factors. You can easily get a high value diamond of any cut - or low value, if you are not too careful.

So buy a diamond jewelry gift with any cut you desire. It may be in a shape that you or your significant other like, or one that strikes a chord with you. If all you want is a big diamond, and you don't mind imperfections, it's easy to get one for cheap. But even if you are buying cheap, you have to scrutinize your purchases to avoid getting gypped.

When it comes time to set your loose diamond, it's best to have it done by the same people who sold it to you. If you bring it to another jeweler, they won't want to be held responsible for any damage the diamond may incur during setting. If the seller won't take responsibility for their own diamonds, leave them for a seller who will.

For most people, the only time they look for diamonds is when they want wedding or engagement rings. The smart way to go about this is to look for loose diamonds first and have them set later. The round brilliant cut is the most enduringly popular cut. Fancy cuts become popular based on prevailing fashions. However, the quality and value of a diamond is based on other factors. So buy a diamond jewelry gift in the cut you really want.

-Lorraine Jacobs

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