Diamond Engagement Rings

Published on 24/05/10

The diamond engagement ring has been a symbol of love and romance since 1477 when Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave Mary of Burgundy a gold ring set with a diamond as a token of his love.
Today, the tradition continues. According to a consumer survey, 70 per cent of all brides-to-be receive one.
Just as love is unique, no two diamonds are alike. Each diamond has its own personality and sparkle. A little knowledge can go a long way to help unearth the best quality diamond within a budget. Understanding diamonds requires knowledge of the four C's: cut, colour, clarity and carat weight. These four variables are the reason why two diamonds of equal size may not be of equal value.

n Cut: Although diamonds can be cut in several shapes, like oval, marquise, pear or round, it is the quality of the cut that gives the stone its brilliant sparkle. Light is reflected best when all of the facets are perfectly proportioned.
n Colour: The best colour is no colour. A totally colourless diamond best allows white light to pass effortlessly through it and be dispersed as rainbows of colour.
n Clarity: The term "clarity" refers to a diamond's lack of naturally occurring inclusions, often called "nature's fingerprints," most of which are not visible to the naked eye. The fewer the inclusions, the more valuable the diamond.
n Carat: Carat refers to the weight of the stone. There are 100 points in a carat. Therefore, a diamond of 50 points weighs one-half of a carat.