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Getting
Married? A Step-By-Step Guide to Picking the Perfect Diamond
(ARA) -
Proposing is tough enough, but finding the perfect ring, set
with the perfect diamond is even tougher. To eliminate the
headache, here are step-by-step instructions from
Whiteflash.com, an online
diamond and jewelry boutique specializing in Hearts & Arrows
diamonds.
Educate yourself. Start the education process by learning about
the four Cs. "Understand how diamonds are evaluated and
categorized," says Brian Gavin, an internationally known diamond
expert and co-founder of Whiteflash.com.
The four Cs refer to clarity, cut, color and carat, and by
understanding each, Gavin says, you can determine which is most
important to you and then start shopping. "This will also help
you determine how much you're willing to spend," he adds.
Because education is important when engagement ring shopping,
Whiteflash.com offers an
interactive DVD, which features an in-depth look at each of the
four Cs.
Get input. Find out what she wants. Gavin says, "It's better to
be safe than sorry." Take her to a jewelry store - that is, if
marriage has been a topic of conversation and a surprise
engagement is not on your agenda. "Have her try on as many rings
as possible," suggests Gavin. "Make her look at every shape of
diamond and type of setting." Another way to gauge whether she
prefers pear-shaped over princess cut is have her look at bridal
magazines like "The Knot" or "Brides" or at an online diamond
expert's site like Whiteflash.com.
"Either way, you'll know exactly what will make her swoon when
you pop the question," says Gavin.
If you're being discreet, look at the jewelry she wears on a
day-to-day basis; is it classic or vintage in style? Is she
prone to wear larger pieces or dainty? The other option is to
ask someone close to her, like a sister or a best friend, for
insight.
Let's talk carats. According to Gavin, as soon as you've decided
shape, you need to look at the carat or weight of the diamond;
carat is how diamonds and other precious gemstones are
measured…in "carat" weight. One carat, for example, equals 1/5
of a gram. "We also refer to carat in points," says Gavin.
"There are 100 points in a carat and as points or carats
increase, so does the price of the diamond." For example, the
price per carat will be less for a .90 diamond than the price
per carat for a 1.00 diamond even if the color and clarity are
the same. "Determining the size of the diamond, and then the cut
and color is really going to help establish your budget
parameters," he says.
Pick a color. "Color is the third most important decision in the
diamond selection process," says Bob Hoskins, senior gemologist
for Whiteflash.com. Diamond color is graded according to the
Gemological Institute of America or GIA Color Grading Scale - D
being the whitest, and N and below color ratings showing
noticeable yellow tones. "E and F have no detectable color tones
to the naked eye," says Hoskins, who graded diamonds for the
Gemology Institute of America (GIA) and taught several courses
on colored stones. "And from G to J range, diamonds remain near
colorless," says Hoskins, "however, from J to M, you do begin to
see a faint trace of yellow."
A Cut Above diamonds or ACA, an exclusive brand of Hearts &
Arrows diamonds available only through
Whiteflash.com, range in color from D to I. Because
of their superior cut, ACA even 'face-up' appear whiter than
their lab-assigned grade. "A great cut improves the apparent
color of any diamond," says Hoskins.
The cut and sparkle. Cut is the most important and perhaps the
most misunderstood and controversial of the four Cs. "It's about
more than the shape of a diamond," explains Gavin. "When we talk
cut, we're talking about the exact angles, proportions, symmetry
and polish that affect the way the diamond reflects light and
sparkles." Diamond dealers also refer to cut as "make" - as it
is the only feature of a diamond that can be controlled by man,
and it must be precise. Each facet - or small plane surface on
the diamond - must be cut to align perfectly with the facet
opposite it. "There's not much room for error," says Gavin,
"because this affects the diamond's ability to sparkle, or what
we call in the industry…brilliance."
How important is clarity? Gemologists use a grading scale set
forth by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) to determine
a diamond's clarity - how clean the gem appears when viewed
through a magnifier. Most diamonds contain some "inclusions" -
crystalline fractures or irregular crystal growth. The
Gemological Institute of America GIA Clarity Grading Scale
ranges from Internally Flawless (IF) through included (I3).
Flawless (F) and Internally Flawless (IF) being the highest,
with the next best grade being VVS1 and 2 or very slight
inclusions followed by VS1 and 2, referring to very slight
inclusions, which according to Hoskins, "are difficult to see
even with magnification."
SI1 and 2 diamonds will have slight inclusions, which are easily
seen through magnification, but may remain clean to the naked
eye, depending on the specific diamond. Hoskins says grades I1,
I2 and I3 indicate inclusions that are visible under
magnification and also to the naked eye. "The clarity of the
stone you purchase will depend on your level of comfort and
budget," he says. His advice: Inclusions are more difficult to
see in ideal cut and super ideal cut diamonds, because of the
exactness in the cut.
Establish a budget. After determining the four Cs, you should be
able to set a budget or at least have a figure in mind. The
general rule of thumb is to set aside two months worth of
salary. "If you're hesitant to set a dollar amount, look at your
options in diamonds and settings to get a general idea of what
you'd like to spend," advises Gavin.
Select a jeweler. You have more options than the local jeweler
around the corner. There are independently owned boutiques,
national chains and now with the Internet revolution … online
diamond boutiques like Whiteflash.com.
No matter whom you buy from, make sure the jeweler is reputable
and affiliated with the American Gem Society (AGS). "If you're
unsure of the jeweler's credibility, check with the local Better
Business Bureau," suggests Gavin. "You can also test how
knowledgeable the staff is about diamonds, look into customer
reviews and look over the company's return and repair policies …
this is important."
Time to shop! Before you place the order, make sure that you
will receive a grading report with your purchase. "If a grading
report will not accompany your diamond, make sure the sale is
contingent upon an independent appraiser's opinion," advises
Gavin. Another option is to ask for a fingerprint of the
diamond. This is a three-dimensional drawing of the diamond
indicating the four Cs, along with the stone's overall
dimensions and enhancements. Inclusions and blemishes should be
noted. "As soon as you receive the diamond, double-check all of
the information, including the bill of sale and drawing to make
sure that it is, in fact, the diamond you purchased," finishes
Gavin.
When purchasing from an ACA diamond from
Whiteflash.com, customers
receive the gem's certification and a signed letter of
verification from an independent graduate gemologist appraiser
for insurance purposes.
Set the diamond. If you purchased a loose diamond, you're now
faced with the setting. And, like diamonds, the options are
endless. Consider three stone settings, a solitaire or a custom
design. Both Gavin and Hoskins suggest allowing four to six
weeks before popping the question if you go the handcrafted
route. If you're simply lost in the decision making process --
propose with diamond in-hand and pick out the setting later --
together!
For more information about A Cut Above (ACA) diamonds from
Whiteflash.com, visit the
company's online store at
www.whiteflash.com or contact them directly at (877)
612-6770.
Courtesy of ARA Content 
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