Yellow gold, white gold, platinum—there are a number of metals that are common for diamond rings. Platinum is a popular option for engagement rings and eternity rings because of its resilience, though it comes with a higher price tag than other metals. Silver, on the other hand, is prone to corrosion and thus is not the best choice for frequently worn rings such as wedding bands and eternity rings. Discuss with your jeweler the metal that is right for you, taking into consideration its color, durability and resistance to corrosion.

Something you will quickly realize when shopping for diamond rings is that diamonds are affixed to rings in a variety of ways. The way that a gem is set and held in place is referred to as its setting. Several setting styles are common for diamond rings, some of which are the bezel setting, channel setting, and prong setting. The shape and size of a diamond and the strength of the metal used may help determine the type of setting that is used in a particular ring.

Perhaps you already have in mind the type of diamond ring you are seeking, or maybe you prefer to explore all of the options until you simply discover the perfect ring. With the multitude of diamond ring styles available, having an idea of the shape, type of metal and setting style you prefer can help you in your quest for the diamond ring that best suits your taste and personality.

As such, you can get the cheapest diamond in the world if you buy the synthetic diamonds, which is just the same as the real diamonds that cost you a fortune to get but a carat of it. The best part is the man-made diamonds are very much the same as the real diamonds. It is difficult to tell them apart for a common person. Only an expert can separate the real from the fake, but overall it looks just the same and sparkles just the same. Therefore, there is no difference if you are going to buy a man-made diamond ring for your wedding or engagement because, basically, they are the same except the time involved to produce each of them.

There is an increase in man-made diamond production, as there are more and more people looking to own diamonds without having to pay a hefty price. So the Demand for man-made diamond is on the rise. As long as the diamonds are real, they are excellent. Who says it must be originally from a mine, as not only do they cost a fortune but the man-made diamonds are exactly the same. However, if you are looking for real diamonds at a cheaper price, you look for real diamonds with round cut. It is the most popular shape of diamonds used for making bracelets, rings and earrings. Besides, since there are so many round diamonds compared to other shapes of diamonds, it stands to reason that this type would be slightly cheaper.

When it comes to choosing the cheapest diamonds, you must learn the 4C’s rule. The 4C’s are carat, clarity, colour and cut. Carat is a measurement of the diamond’s weight. The more carats mean the diamond is heavier and naturally more expensive. The number of inclusions available determines clarity. The fewer inclusions the more value it would be. Colour plays an important role as well in the pricing because if the colour were rare then the diamond would be very valuable. As for the cut, different cuts have different values.

When buying diamonds, make sure you buy the best quality diamond that is within your budget. Do not buy a diamond just because it has been “discounted”or the diamond dealer is offering a “special price”. These “sale” prices and deals are nothing more than marketing hype and will not result in any real savings to the price of a diamond. The price of diamonds is controlled by international market conditions and the availability. Unlike other jewellery items, diamonds do not go on sale because they do not have huge profit margins or over inflated prices.

Do not confuse a diamonds carat weight with the size of a diamond. Two diamonds that have the same carat weight could have very different diameter measurements and appearance in actual size. A poorly cut 1.00ct diamond may look like a 0.75ct diamond from the top because they have the same diameter measurements even though their carat weights are different.

Diamonds are sold by their carat weight. A diamond cutter always tries to retain as much carat weight and as few inclusions when cutting a diamond. Sometimes the cut of a diamond might be sacrificed in order to produce a diamond with a higher carat weight. Diamonds that have a higher cut quality – excellent, ideal and very good cut diamonds – will sparkle with far more brilliance and fire than poorly cut diamonds which have a lower cut grade.

The value of a diamond is determined by its exact quality as defined by the 4C’s: Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat-Weight. It is the sparkle or brilliance that gives a diamond its unique quality. Many people become overwhelmed when they start searching for a diamond. It seems that the fear of either buying a diamond that is not very good quality or paying too much can cause people to go on a quest to become a diamond expert overnight. Getting knowledge and educated about diamonds and the 4C’s – Cut, Colour, Clarity & Carat Weight – is a big first step towards buying the right diamond.

Before you start diamond shopping, it is best to have an understanding of what you are buying and the process behind buying a diamond. Today on the internet there is no shortage of information available, especially when it comes to learning about diamonds. Here are a few important steps when embarking on the purchase of a diamond -

Gain a basic understanding of the qualities of a fine diamond.

Learn about diamonds, do your homework before you start looking. There are many good websites that offer comprehensive Diamond Education sections where you are able to learn about diamonds and The 4C’s – cut, colour, clarity and carat weight. These are the criteria that diamonds are graded and valued upon.

Set a personal budget.

This will dictate a lot of the parameters for the diamond you are searching for. Then obtain a realistic idea of what diamonds cost and the various diamond prices. Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds are the most popular shape of diamond for engagement rings however they also are higher priced than a fancy shape diamond. Setting a personal budget will save you a lot of time and it will help you to not over extend yourself financially.

Decide on the diamond specifications.

What shape of Diamond do you prefer? Remember that diamonds are cut in many different shapes besides Round Brilliant and Princess Cuts. Fancy Shape diamonds such as Asscher, Cushion, Emerald, Oval, Pear, Marquise, Trilliant and Radiant Cut Diamonds all make unique engagement rings and create beautiful jewellery when set in individual designs. Once you have decided on the shape of the diamond you wish to buy then start deciding on your other preferences such as the carat size, the diamond colour, the diamond purity and the diamond cut quality.

Insist on a Diamond Certificate.

A diamond certificate or diamond grading report documents the complete quality and description of the diamond, it includes information on shape, carat weight, clarity, fluorescence, colour grade, measurements, proportions and finish grade. A diamond certificate also confirms that the diamond is natural and is not synthetic or man-made. Diamond Grading Laboratories such as GIA, AGS, HRD & DCLA are all internationally recognised and compliant grading laboratories.

View the diamond in person where possible.

Compare the quality of the diamond next to other diamonds before you purchase. Cut is the only factor that man can control. Cut refers not only to the shape and style of the diamond, but its proportions, symmetry, and finish or “make”. Cut determines the brilliance and fire of the diamond and is actually one of the most important aspects to consider when choosing your diamond.

When you search for the right diamond the task can at times be daunting and very confusing. Just comparing diamonds on price alone is not nearly good enough, you need to be able to compare the diamonds next to each other to see which diamond is the better quality and appeals to you the most.