15 Aug 2007
Diamonds: Concepts, Considerations and Clarity -
Selecting Just the Right Diamond
Part 3 of 3
Summary of part 2: The crucial topics of diamond color, carat weight, the importance of certification, and the various diamond shapes were discussed. We wrap up our diamond lessons today, beginning with...
Diamond Settings
Your purpose for the diamond will in large part determine which features you select for it. For engagement rings, most people chose round or princess cut. Even within the category of diamond rings, different settings create different looks for different shaped or colored stones. Heart-shaped or marquise cut diamonds are wonderful for brooches and pendants.
Ring setting techniques include prong setting, bezel setting, channel setting, Pave setting (pronounced pah-vay), bead setting, and flush setting - currently among the most popular. Prong setting is simply where thin metal wires hold the stone in place, in a manner that makes it appear that nothing is holding the stone in place or that it's floating. On the opposite end of this is a full bezel setting, which employs a band which surrounds the diamond and covers the girdle. A half bezel leaves space open on either side of the gem so that you can see it. A full-bezel setting looks quite traditional while a half bezel setting has a more modern look. Somewhat like the bezel setting, a flush setting has the rock almost entirely below the surface of the setting, with only the table and a bit of the upper crown facets showing. This setting protects the diamond and has been rising in popularity lately, especially with those who don’t really want to “show off” their stone. Channel setting involves the sides of the ring creating a channel which holds the gems in. Pave setting and bead setting are similar, labor intensive techniques by which a large number stones may be used to create the effect of a large piece of shining jewelry. These techniques use little beads of metal to secure the diamonds.
Keep in mind that the color of the metal you are choosing will make a difference in the way your diamond appears. Yellow gold is no longer the only way to go for setting diamond rings. White gold and Platinum are quite popular, and silver is making a comeback, too.
Buying Diamonds - a brief primer
The above issues are critical in "zeroing in" on the diamond that you are purchasing. For a moment, let's look at buying a diamond. As mentioned from the beginning, determining your budget is a starting point for finding the right diamond. We all may want the "perfect" diamond, but the "perfect budget" may not be available. Diamonds are not meant to be primarily a good commercial investment - that is, they likely won’t appreciate value faster than inflation. However, diamonds are investments that hold their own against inflation for the most part, and there is no sign of the diamond market dropping way out in the foreseeable future. The real value in diamonds is the "emotion" of the gift. While the technical information about color, shape cut et cetera will serve every reader well, this article is geared a bit more toward finding the right diamond to give as a gift rather than as a speculative investment.
There are some significant advantages to shopping online for diamonds, especially if you are looking to get loose diamonds. They make it really easy to compare the stats on different diamonds and usually can save you money because their administrative costs are lower than an independent jeweler. Your experience will usually be fast and convenient and online retailers have a large selection.
Shopping online is convenient, and safe but you'll want to take note of a few things.
1. Make sure that there is a favorable return policy so that you may return your purchase should it prove necessary for any number of reasons, perhaps including a poor looking stone that doesn't match their description.
2. Plan to buy from a dealer who has AGS or GIA certified rocks - an especially important aspect when buying online.
3. Check into their shipping policies are. Don’t buy a diamond that will be shipped uninsured, and once your diamond is shipped, keep track of its progress online.
4. And as with any online purchasing, be sure that your seller has an acceptable privacy policy as well as a mode of making secured transactions.
The internet has opened broad new avenues in many areas and buying diamonds is no exception. "Window shopping" online allows you to check all of the criteria above. You'll find that prices for diamonds will start out at fairly inexpensively for lower grade rocks and the prices will increase almost exponentially for the better cuts. To find out more about diamond prices in particular, go online to one of the larger sellers of loose diamonds and peruse through their database, which will usually list quality of cut, color, clarity, and a host of other measures along with carat weight and cost. many of them will provide guides, and articles to further clarify your criteria.
Love is in the air as they say, and diamonds say it best.
About the Author:
Kirby Hamilton loves diamond (his wife reminds him often). He's also the webmaster for a moving and relocation website where he assists visitors to find the just the right moving boxes, shipping companies, rental trucks, supplies to get organized, and of course bubble wrap, moving tape and moving supplies when they move from your homes or businesses.
|
