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A jeweler choosing the perfect diamond for an engagement ring

Choosing the Right Diamond for Your Engagement Ring

The engagement ring is an important part of any proposal and you want to make sure you choose the right one. If you decide to do a diamond engagement ring then you need to what to look for and how to choose the right one. While the band of the ring is important, the diamond is the focus and should be selected with care. The first thing you will want to think about when it comes to selecting a diamond is its cut or shape.

Round
Just as it says, it’s a round diamond. Thanks to the 58 facets cut into it, it sparkles more than any other cut. It’s a popular, classic choice.

Princess
The princess cut is another popular diamond shape. It’s four sharp corners lend it a little extra sass, but it still has the timeless quality you want in an engagement ring.

Emerald
This rectangular cut, with angled corners, has fewer facets than other cuts. Therefore you want to make sure it is a near flawless diamond, otherwise the imperfections will be obvious.

Cushion
The cushion cut diamond is a cross between the princess and round cuts. It’s square shape has rounded corners and curved sides so that it has a soft, romantic quality.

Asscher
Asscher cut diamonds are a more angular version of the cushion cut diamond. The eight sides are cut with sharp corners, and it can be found to be cut as a perfectly even square or with slightly wider top and bottom.

Marquis
This cut is like a skinny oval with sharp points. The shape of this diamond is made to maximize carat weight and it certainly stands out in a crowd.

Pear
Shaped like a teardrop, the pear cut is a blend between the marquis and oval cut diamonds. Like the marquis, it is a unique diamond meant for the bride who wants to be different.

Oval
Oval shaped diamonds are the slightly more dramatic version of round cut diamonds. They can have just as many facets as a round cut and, therefore, can sparkle with the best of them. The oval cut is a classic shape that makes a statement.

Radiant
The radiant cut is similar to the emerald cut but comes with many more facets. The extra facets create sparkle and hide imperfections in the stone. It is a classic shape and cut that can be worn for decades.

Heart
The least traditional of all diamond cuts, the heart shaped diamond is not for the faint of heart. It has enough facets to hide imperfections, but it is not considered a classic shape.

In addition to the cut, you want to choose a quality diamond. Select a diamond that is either Ideal, Very Good, Good, or Fair. Diamonds are expensive, so you want to select one that will last for years and not depreciate in value. In addition, you need to choose a diamond with a good color quality. Diamonds are ranked based on the level of color they have, and those ranking closer to colorless are more expensive. Diamonds ranked D are completely colorless and very rare so they cost much more than those ranking F or H, which are quality stones with slight color.

Most importantly, think about your budget when choosing a diamond for your loved one’s engagement ring. No matter how beautiful a ring is, you shouldn’t step outside of your budget. Also, keep in mind what you future fiancé wants in a ring. If she wants a larger diamond but doesn’t care as much about the clarity, then you need to choose a diamond accordingly. And don’t forget to get the right ring size.

Last Updated: September 13, 2018