Features to Consider in Affordable Diamond Engagement Rings

April 23, 2013 - PRLog -- Finding affordable diamond engagement rings can seem like a daunting task these days. Nothing of quality comes cheap and if the diamond is for someone special, you certainly want the very best your money can buy. With diamonds, it is best to know exactly what you are buying before making a purchase. It may be possible to get what you want for less. By examining the 4 Cs of diamonds, finding an affordable engagement ring is easy.

The 4 Cs of diamonds stands for color, clarity, cut, and carat. A color grade refers to how clear or colorless the diamond is. The best grade is completely colorless. Clarity refers to microscopic features that have formed in the stone. The more of these imperfections that diamond has, is poorer its clarity and the less its worth. The cut of a diamond dramatically influences the price because the cut directly affects the brilliance of the diamond. Carat is the weight of the stone. By adjusting each of these features a stone that fits the needs and budget of the buyer can be found.

A diamond doesn't need to be absolutely colorless to be beautiful. Stones within the top ten color grades have only barely noticeable tints of yellow. Having the stone set in white gold or platinum can give it an appearance of less color. It is less expensive to buy a diamond with a lower color grade and set in a higher quality metal than to go all out to buy a colorless diamond. Although the quality of the stone is lesser, it will look very similar to the more expensive diamond.

Clarity is another aspect of a diamond that doesn't have to be perfect to result in a beautiful piece of jewelry. Often, the flaws can only be seen under magnification and don't affect the beauty of stone. Although clarity isn't about the sparkle or brilliance of a diamond, a stone with very poor clarity look dull. It is important that clarity isn't too poor but it is not necessary to purchase a stone with the highest grade of clarity.

Cut is an interesting factor to play around with when purchasing a diamond. It gives a diamond its brilliance. Cut is not to be mistaken for “shape”, they are entirely two different things. Cut is the depth of the diamond. If it is cut too shallow, the diamond will appear milky and if it's too deep, there will be darkness in the center of the diamond. Examine the stone thoroughly to ensure its cut isn't taking away from its brilliance.

There is no arguing the timeless beauty of well-cut and quality diamond. Throughout history they have been meaningful gifts and a symbol of lasting love. Often a highly valuable diamond, whether financially or emotionally, can become a precious family heirloom and be passed from generation to generation. By paying close attention to details, you can purchase or customize a piece of jewelry that is both friendly to your wallet and a unique gift for your special someone.

@ http://www.sachsjewelers.com/engagement-rings