Look For Any Laser Inscription

Almost all high-quality diamonds sold today are certified, with GIA being the most popular. Nowadays, most certified diamonds are laser inscribed. This means that the certificate number as well as any other messages have been laser inscribed onto the surface of the girdle of the diamond, which is the middle of the diamond. 

While the laser inscription cannot be seen with the naked eye, it can be seen with a jeweler’s magnifying glass, called a loupe (pronounced ‘loop’). These little devices have 10× magnification, sometimes more, and come in several different varieties, with some made especially for reading laser inscriptions. Starting from a couple of bucks, these can easily be found on eBay or Amazon.

Above: Example of a laser inscription

Weigh And Measure The Stone

After looking at the stone, the first thing most jewelry professionals do is weigh and measure the stone. Since cubic zirconia (the most common diamond simulant) has a specific gravity of about 60% more than diamond, it is easy to tell just by finding out the diameter and weight. For this test, you will need a millimeter gauge or micrometer and a carat scale. Again, these tools can be bought from eBay or Amazon fairly cheaply, or you can ask a jeweler in your area to perform the test for you.

Take It To An Appraiser To Determine If It’s Diamond

If by now you’re still not sure whether your stone is real or not, you should employ the services of an appraiser with the proper knowledge and tools. Apart from the two previous tests, the appraiser will use a refractometer to determine the refractive index of the stone. Diamond has a refractive index of 2.417. If the stone has a refractive index of anything other than 2.417, then it is not diamond. 

Additionally, the appraiser may have a tool to determine if the diamond is natural or lab grown. Since lab-grown diamonds are now commonplace and are generally valued at about 20% of what a natural diamond is, knowing whether your diamond is natural or lab grown could be the difference between a stone worth $2000 and one that costs $10,000. 

In addition to this, if your stone is diamond, the appraiser will be able to judge the 4Cs—that is, the diamond’s carat weight, color, clarity, and cut. The appraiser will also be able to give you the current market value. However, determining a diamond’s value once you have the specifications is easy to do by looking online.

Above: GIA ID100 checks if a diamond is natural or not

Send It To A Lab To Find Out If It’s Natural

If by now you’re still not sure whether your stone is diamond or if it’s natural or not, then it’s time to send it to a lab for certification. Considered the gold standard for diamond grading, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is the lab recommended by most jewelry professionals. Given that GIA has labs in Carlsbad and New York, as well as other major cities around the world, you will probably need to send it to them. 

To send your jewelry to GIA, follow their submission instructions, which are easy to understand. After this, you will need to package it properly and ensure you have the appropriate transit insurance. After GIA has graded it, you will be issued with a certificate, which is then an ironclad guarantee that your jewelry is diamond, as well as detailed information about the diamond’s characteristics, including the 4Cs, measurements, polish symmetry, and fluorescence. 

Lab-Grown Diamonds

As the name reflects, lab-grown diamonds are grown in the laboratory under certain heat and pressure. These diamonds are also known as Synthetic diamonds, artificial diamonds, or man-made diamonds.

As these diamonds are made in a laboratory, it doesn’t mean it lacks all the quality of a pure diamond. It is better than the natural diamond as it covers all the imperfections of the natural diamond. These diamonds have the same chemical structure as the natural diamond.

How Are lab-Grown Diamonds Made?

Once you know about lab-grown diamonds, the next thing that you want to know is how these diamonds are made.

Like natural diamonds, these diamonds also require the same process to grow them at the laboratory. Natural diamonds take millions of years to grow. But when it comes to the lab-grown diamond, it takes several weeks.

Firstly, to make a man-made diamond, they start with a tiny piece called a diamond seed. Later, this diamond seed is kept in a chamber. This helps to mimic the quality of the natural diamonds.

This seed is coated in pure carbon. Later, they are transformed into a man-made diamond that possesses all the chemical qualities of the natural diamond.

Generally, It is made using two different methods. One is High-pressure high temperature (HPHT) and the other diamond is Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD).

In the High-pressure high-temperature method, high heat and pressure are applied to the diamond seed. In the Chemical Vapor Deposition method, heat and pressure applied here are comparatively lesser than the High-Pressure High-Temperature method. In this method, a mixture of chemical gases is introduced in the chamber and it is broken down and hardens to form crystallized carbon atoms. This is how lab diamonds are made.

Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Real?

As these diamonds are grown in the laboratory, most people doubt whether these diamonds are real or not.

But the truth is these diamonds are real. They are just like the natural ones. Lab-grown diamonds also test positive as the real diamond. So you don’t have to worry about this. But sometimes, diamonds that are made of HPHT contain impurities. So there is a chance that these diamonds can be tested as non-diamond or moissanite.

Like natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds also rank 10 in the Mohs Hardness Test. These diamonds are durable and also possess all the qualities that natural diamond lacks.

Are Lab-grown Diamonds Worth It?

Even though the lab-grown diamonds possess all the quality of the natural diamond, it is considered of lesser value. For example, If you want to sell your natural diamond, you will get at least 50% back. But in the lab-grown diamonds, you won’t get anything. Because lab-grown diamonds lack resale value. And also, these diamonds cost less than the natural ones and are considered eco-friendly ones. These diamonds are not very desirable for engagement rings.

Buying Lab-grown Diamonds

If you have a low budget and you want to save money, then you can go to the lab-grown one. But one thing that you always keep in mind is that these diamonds will lose their value as they have no resale value. Some people even consider buying lab-grown diamonds as they are created specially in the laboratory.

How Lab-Grown Diamonds Are Graded?

There is no special technique to grade man-made diamonds. Like natural diamonds, these are also graded in the same way. Like the earth-grown diamonds, they also consider its inclusion, fluorescence, etc for grading. They also mention that it is a lab-grown one in the certificate. So anyone can easily know that. Apart from that, GIA also inscribes the diamond girdle with a laser with the Report number and also claims that it is a lab-grown diamond.

Difference Between Lab-grown Diamond and Cubic Zirconia

This is another common question that everyone asks. They both look identical. But Is there any difference between them?

Even though lab-grown diamonds are created artificially in the laboratory, it is still the real diamond and possesses all the quality of the diamond. But on the other hand, Cubic Zirconia is not a diamond. It is a diamond simulant. When comparing these two diamonds, Cubic Zirconia is cheaper and completely made up of different elements.

Bottom Line

Even though the lab-grown diamond is popular nowadays and possesses all the qualities of a diamond, still, natural diamonds are considered the most precious ones. These diamonds are ideal to buy when your budget is low. But the disadvantage of this diamond is that it doesn’t have any resale value. Sometimes, It is more expensive because it requires more labor and high laboratory equipment. So buying lab-grown diamonds is totally up to you.

What is Clarity?

A diamond’s clarity refers to how well it allows light to flow through and out of the table of the stone. It has nothing to do with the color of the stone, which can be confusing as the ‘best’ color for a diamond is completely see-through – or clear! Rather, natural diamonds tend to show the signs of their great age and strenuous creation process – in the depths of a volcano, billions of years ago – with imperfections known as inclusions or occlusions. Inclusions appear inside the stone, while occlusions appear on the outside, and both of these can include contaminants, cracks, feather fractures, and warping within the material of the diamond. The more of these in the stone, the lower its clarity grading will be, with FL/IF (Flawless/ Internally Flawless) being the top grading.

How is Clarity Checked?

Diamonds are best graded upon cutting before they are mounted or set in any way. They should be examined in a bright even light, against a pure white background, and always at a minimum of 10x magnification. Each diamond’s cut is designed to minimize the appearance of any flaws, so the examination must be slow and painstaking, with the stone carefully examined from every possible angle to spot potential issues within the stone. If stones have inclusions or flaws that can only be seen under a magnification of ten or more but seem perfect to the naked eye, then they are deemed to be eye clean, which can be a positive selling point, especially for more budget-conscious diamond buyers.

Best Ways to be Sure!

The best way to be sure of the clarity of your diamond is to get it certified – or better yet, only buy a diamond that already has a certificate from a reputable diamond grading company. The two main authorities in the USA for diamond grading are AGS and GIA, both of whom certify any diamonds that pass through their hands. They have stringent certification processes and thus are accepted as being globally trustworthy – some other companies tend to err on the generous side, marking up diamonds that are not worthy of the rating given, or including enhanced or lab-grown diamonds in their remit. GIA and AGS refuse to rate enhanced or lab-grown stones.

If you are offered a diamond that has already been mounted in a piece of jewelry, you are highly unlikely to be able to tell its clarity with your own vision, even enhanced by 10x magnification. If you examine this diamond clarity chart, you will soon see that the differences between one rating level and another are so very slight that even in lab conditions with bright lights and no setting to deal with, it can be hard to pinpoint exactly where a diamond falls on the clarity levels.

You’ve reached the sink, now what? Well, here is our list of things to do and NOT do to bring back and maintain your diamond’s shine.

6 Tips To Clean Your Diamond Engagement Ring

1. Inspect the ring

Before you do anything to the ring, you should inspect it closely and check the ring’s state. This is so you can determine if the ring’s claws are still firm or if some diamonds are about to come loose in their setting. Proceeding to clean it when it is in bad shape could worsen the problem.

2. Use soap and water only

It might shock you to know that your diamond is not as demanding as you initially thought. Just soap and water are okay to get all the dirt out and keep the germs away. Once you have confirmed that the ring is in tiptop shape, you should soak it in soap and warm water.

3. Get a soft toothbrush

We know you want your diamond ring extra clean, but you should not forget that it is still a ring, and you need to treat it with care. You should buy a soft or baby toothbrush to scrub the dirt away gently.

4. Be regular

It would be best if you didn’t wait for your diamond to lose its shine completely or for when it is riddled with all kinds of dirt and germs before you clean it. You should try to wash it in soap and water solution once a week or once in two weeks, depending on your schedule.

5. Give your ring a break

To keep your ring’s sparkle, you must give it a day off from time to time. When you decide to give it a break,  is entirely up to you. You can take it off when you are indoors or decide to wear it only on weekdays. This allows you to get an enhanced sparkle when you eventually wear your ring.

6. Go professional

There is only as much as you can do by yourself at home. Your ring might have a blemish that is hard to get off, or upon inspection, you might notice that the claws have weakened and some diamonds are loose in their setting. Under conditions like these or similar, the best solution is to take the ring to a professional, which means taking your ring to a jeweler to have it looked at and professionally cleaned and maintained.

How To NOT Clean Your Diamond Ring

When cleaning your ring, it is important to note the things you should avoid.

1. Don’t use stiff brushes

You should make sure only to use soft brushes when cleaning your ring. Cleaning it with a stiff brush might do more damage than good. It might put some scratches on the band, weaken the claws, and lead to some of the diamonds falling off the ring.

2. Careful with creams and lotions

You should consciously avoid getting creams or lotions on your ring. Doing otherwise could leave your ring looking dirty and, in extreme situations, appear discolored. Constantly using hand cream, makeup, fake tan, and lotions can undo all the good work you have done to keep your ring clean.

3. Don’t use ultrasonic jewelry cleaners at home

Ultrasonic jewelry cleaners work by sending vibrations through the water, which in turn cleans your ring in record time. However, the constant vibration can cause stones to fall out or make them loose. If a professional jeweler uses the machine, the individual can inspect and put the stones in place if need be, but if you use the machine at home, you would not be able to tell if the stones have come loose until they fall out.

In simple terms, a cushion cut diamond combines a square cut with rounded corners, providing it an appearance similar to a pillow. This is where the name “cushion cut” originates from. Cushion-cut diamond jewelry designs never go out of style. It is considered one of the most confusing cuts, so it is essential to learn more about these diamonds before you buy one for your next special occasion.

Cushion-cut diamonds are generally purchased for engagement rings. If you are inclined to those colored flashes of light coming from a diamond, you will love the versatile Cushion cut engagement ring.

Being one of the deeper cuts, cushion cut diamonds comes with a smaller face-up size than most diamond shapes. That implies you might want to look for a stone with slightly larger carat weight.

Judging the Cut Quality in Cushion Cut Diamonds

With a shape that appears like a pillow, the cushion cut diamond’s unique shape is one of the most complicated for first-time diamond buyers. Remember that judging cut quality in a cushion-cut diamond isn’t a science. The most important thing is that you like the stone’s appearance and performance.

Unlike many other unique shapes, cushions can be created from several different cut patterns. Although you will find the standard cut in older diamonds, it is still used today. So when you are looking for the cushion cut diamond in the market, you may see the description “cushion modified.”

However, whether the diamond has a standard or modified cushion cut doesn’t have a direct impact on its beauty or performance.

“Chunky” and “Crushed Ice” Appearance

While searching for your right cushion diamond, you will find that there are two unique “looks” for a cushion cut diamond. Some will allow you to see the back facets and light reflections in broad flashes. These are lovingly called “chunky” cushions.

Some cushion cut diamonds have an appearance similar to crushed ice. The back facets aren’t distinct. Instead, you will see the superb glittering effect of many tiny reflections.

Know Length-to-Width Ratio

Another aesthetic decision in a cushion-cut diamond is whether you prefer a square or rectangle shape. While most available diamond shapes are square, rectangles have the benefit of appearing larger for their carat weight.

Square shapes should have an L/W of 1.00 to 1.05. Rectangular shapes should be but not overly — elongated, with L/W of 1.15 to 1.20. Avoid the L/W “awkward zone” of 1.06 to 1.10. The shape of these diamonds looks too square to be rectangular and too rectangular to be square.

Elongated cushion-cut diamonds are less popular than square shapes and, thus, difficult to find in high quality. Be prepared to do some research if you are shopping for an elongated shape cushion diamond.

Shape

Cushion-cut diamonds can range from round to nearly square. You will need a piece that’s the middle ground, with round-shaped corners and slightly curved sides. It is important to have a good image of the diamond to see its shape clearly. If the shape appears off, don’t go for it.

Depth and Table

For exceptional performance, limit your search to diamonds with both depth percentage and table percentage under 70%. This won’t remove all the poorly performing diamond designs, but it will make your search easier.

Cushion-Cut Diamonds with Hearts and Arrows

If you are looking for the superior cut, you may be drawn to cushion-cut diamonds with Hearts and Arrows. While these cushions have high performance, cushion-cut diamonds without the hearts-and-arrows pattern can also perform in a remarkable manner.

Furthermore, only “chunky” cushions will show this design. If you prefer “crushed ice,” don’t get a Hearts and Arrows cushion. While cut quality is the most important factor in a diamond’s beauty, you will also want to consider the diamond’s color grade.

Cushion shapes show more color than a round brilliant, but their brilliance and dispersion help to hide color. For a cushion-cut diamond set in a gold engagement ring, choose the color grade of H or higher.

Just like with other diamonds and gemstones, it is important to look at any cushion cut diamond’s certification before you make any purchase. By looking at the GIA certification, you don’t need to listen to what the store is saying regarding the quality of the diamond.

Instead, the GIA certification provides you an accurate, reputable, and unbiased appraisal of the diamond.

Final Thoughts on Cushion Cut Diamond Jewelry Designs

The cushion cut diamond pairs beautifully with a range of settings and styles, as it is a highly versatile cut. While it does have an old-world charm about it and looks stunning in vintage jewelry designs, it looks superb in modern designs as well.

4 Tips to Consider When Buying a Diamond Engagement Ring

1. Stick with Your Budget

Diamonds are expensive. If you’re planning to buy a diamond engagement ring for the first time, you’ll find that the diamond ring is crossing your budget.

To buy a diamond engagement ring, at first, you’ll have to set your budget and stick to it. After setting the budget, take a look at the diamond rings, and see what you can afford.

By looking at the price, you may want to compromise with your dream diamond engagement rings. But don’t do that. Always remember that there are no good deals when it comes to buying diamond rings. You can compromise with the size, but you should never compromise with the quality of the diamond.

If you find diamonds that are cheap in price and offering way more, there is a high chance that you’re looking at a low-quality diamond. If you plan to buy that diamond, you’ll be compromising with the quality of the diamond. But do you want your diamond engagement ring to be lower quality? I hope the answer is no.

Diamond is a symbol of love, and it makes people feel special. If you start your new life with a unique engagement ring, you can make your life partner feel special.

That’s why instead of choosing a cheap, low graded diamond engagement ring, you can choose a lower carat diamond ring for your wedding. By choosing a lower carat weight diamond engagement ring, you won’t have to compromise with the quality.

My dear friend, you should always remember that quality is king when it comes to diamond rings.

2. Study about the 4 C’s

4C- Cut, Carat, Clarity, and Color. It’s a universal language that describes the quality of a diamond. This 4C method was created by the Gemological Institute of America or GIM. This method is effective when it comes to buying perfect diamond rings.

Cut indicate how well a diamond will reflect the light. If a diamond is well-cut, it’ll reflect more light and stand out in the crowd. It’ll make your diamond look bigger.

Carat is a unit that measures the weight of a diamond. But don’t confuse carat with the quality of a diamond. You’ll find diamond rings that have the same carat, but their prices are different.

Natural diamonds are usually colorless. But you’ll find different colors in diamonds. For example, yellow, blue, etc. But remember, the lighter the color, the more expensive diamond will be.

Lastly, Clarity indicates the number of impurities in a diamond.

Before buying a diamond engagement ring, you must know about these, even if you’re buying simple diamond rings. Diamonds generally come with a lot of reports that tell about the quality of the diamond. If you’re a first-time buyer, you may not understand all the reports, but if you know the 4C’s, you’ll be able to know which diamond to buy and which not.

Among these four C’s, you should focus on the cut of the diamond. If the diamond is well-cut, you can see the reflection of it from far. Besides, it’ll make your diamond look bigger. These qualities will make all the imperfections in the diamond less noticeable.

Buy Certified Diamonds Only

Engagement rings are special to everyone’s life. So, when you’re buying a diamond engagement ring, take your time, and do some research. While buying a diamond engagement ring, look at the certification of the diamond.

American Gem Society and Gemological Institute of America or GIM are the trusted ones when it comes to certifying diamonds. These institutions test diamonds in their labs and provide certification. If you find diamonds that aren’t certified by any of these two gem certification institutions, you shouldn’t buy that diamond.

When you buy diamonds that are certified by other institutions, there is a high chance that you’ll get a lower graded diamond. These institutions certify a lower graded diamond as higher graded and create an illusion. Many jewelers certify their lower graded diamonds with these institutions and play tricks with the customers. That’s why it’s recommended that you buy a diamond that is certified by the American Gem Society or Gemological Institute of America.

See Before You Buy

Whether it’s a simple diamond ring or a unique engagement ring, you should always see it before you buy it. If you’re buying from a brick-and-mortar shop, examine the diamond. Tell the jeweler to put the diamond under magnification and see it from different angles.

Again, if you’re buying it online, you can watch the videos of the diamonds and choose your perfect diamond engagement ring.

The moment should be memorable, and the ring should be stunning. However, purchasing an engagement ring is not an easy task. There are endless choices in the market, which may lead to mistakes. To avoid making a mess, here are some of the mistakes you should try hard to avoid.

1. Not Researching Enough

Before settling on a specific diamond ring, you should do more research. A diamond ring, especially an engagement one, is a piece with sentimental value. You don’t want to buy an engagement ring only to find out that it was not worthy of time and cost later.

Whether you prefer pink diamond rings or any other fancy color diamonds, you must do in-depth research.

In a digital era, there are many platforms to research on and come up with an excellent choice. Researching will not only help you in getting a fair price but also getting the design your partner will love.

2. Forgetting to Get a GIA Certificate

GIA provides an essential certificate describing the features of a ring you’ve chosen. It is the US’s leading authority concerning the authentication of diamonds and in providing papers to assist in further diamonds deals.

GIA provides a certificate entailing the price of the ring. It also describes the ring in terms of the 4C’s (Color, Clarity, Cut, and Carat). In the absence of the certificate, you cannot lease or sell the diamond.

The certificate assures you of the diamond’s worth so that you can purchase a legit and ideal ring of your choice. With the GIA certificate, you can invest your ring and make successful deals.

3. Not Setting a Budget

Contrary to popular opinion, setting a budget for your engagement ring will not make you unromantic. It’s obvious you want to buy a ring that is right for her. But will you keep up with the price? Are you ready to spend any amount on the ring?

When planning to purchase the engagement ring, remember the wedding day is right behind the corner. You may also want to look into other bills like rent, health, etc. Consider budgeting on how your usual lifestyle will not be affected negatively after purchasing your diamond ring.

4. Not Seeking Specialists Advice

In any business, there are pros. This also applies to diamond rings as well. Seeking a diamond ring specialist’s advice will help you a great deal to get answers from a person with much experience compared to a salesperson at the shop.

A specialist will advise you on how to choose a better-designed ring to suit your needs.

5. Doing It All by Yourself

Shopping for an engagement ring all by yourself is another mistake many people make. You want to make it a surprise but not a mistake. Try talking to your partner’s friends and family for you to get a glimpse of what she might prefer.

She might have spoken to someone about the ring she would want for her engagement. Remember, they must be the kind to keep secret not to ruin your big day.

6. Comfortability of the Ring

The ring should be not only beautiful but also comfortable. There’s a higher probability that this ring will be worn on most, if not every occasion. Having said that, the ring should not be too tight nor too loose.

The ring should have an interior that allows air circulation and room for the skin to freely relax and contract. The ring’s shanks should be designed well to ensure the ring does not twist, and it stays at the center of the finger.

7. Not Buying from a Reputable Source

Purchasing a diamond ring can be a bit expensive. You might be tempted to buy the ring from a less reputable source to save a few dollars.

By doing so, you stand a chance to lose everything as you might find out that the ring does not match what you wanted, and in a worse case, it might be fake.

Ensure that you purchase the ring from a well reputable source that guarantees you the product’s quality.

Final Thoughts

When buying a diamond engagement ring, be patient with everything. Take time to do your research and only purchase from a certified source that can provide the product’s authentication.

Understanding the Terms

As you seek out that special diamond engagement ring, anniversary gift, or new go-to piece, you’ll see that diamond jewelry can be elegant and ethical. It doesn’t have to be a binary choice! One of the best ways to ensure that you’re buying diamonds that are free of moral entanglements is by knowing some of the common phrases used in the jewelry industry.

1. Blood diamonds:

These are stones that have been mined in a war-torn country. They are sold on the open market out of the country, and the funds from their sale are used to perpetuate the war.

2. Conflict-free diamonds:

Closely related to blood diamonds, this refers to the fact that the diamond you have purchased will not fund warfare in another country.

3. Ethically-sourced diamonds:

This takes a broader view of the issues and relates to the standards used by those who mine diamonds. It means that workers are treated with dignity, are entitled to fair wages, and work in environments where safety is a priority.

When searching for diamonds, these (and other) terms can help guide you in your search.

Understanding Government Regulation

In recent years, the international community has realized that the sourcing of blood diamonds is a major human rights issue. Desiring to change the dynamic and hoping to improve the quality of life in diamond mining counties, the United Nations adopted the Kimberley Process. Ratified by the UN in 2003 and adopted by individual nations, such as the United States, shortly thereafter, the Kimberley Process requires that all companies that sell diamonds or diamond jewelry have proper documentation that their diamonds were sourced ethically and are conflict-free.

Some experts, such as Khaled Fayyad of Duke University, have pointed out that the Kimberley Process is a flawed system. Yet, most agree that the flow of conflict diamonds into jewelry markets has slowed considerably, nonetheless. In fact, a recent Time article posits that only 5% to 10% of rough diamonds on the market could be classified as conflict diamonds, compared to around 25% before the Kimberley Process was enacted.

Understanding Diamond Sourcing

To help ensure that you purchase diamonds that have been ethically sourced and conflict-free, you should communicate this desire to any jewelry store that you’re looking to do business with. Whether you’re attempting to purchase a diamond locally, from a retail chain, or from an online source, there are several questions you can ask:

1. Where do you source your diamonds from?

There are several “hotspots” in the world that should give you pause if you find out that diamonds have been sourced there. Countries such as Zimbabwe, Liberia, and Côte d’Ivoire are nations that experts would tell you to represent moral dilemmas for diamond buyers.

2. What is your company’s position on conflict diamonds?

The more that customers ask these types of questions to jewelry companies, the more they will realize that it’s a topic that will affect their bottom line if they don’t have a clear cut policy. Asking their position makes you a knowledgeable consumer, and makes you a small part of the solution.

3. Do you have any documentation for this diamond?

Any type of paperwork, such as certification documents, can help you feel confident that you’ve made an ethical purchase.

Understanding Lab-Created Diamonds

Although the 15% to 20% decrease of blood diamonds on the market does represent a radical change from the not-so-distant past, for many, it still represents an uncertainty. How can you be completely sure that you’ve selected an ethically sourced, conflict-free diamond? One option is selecting a lab-created diamond. These stones have the same chemical, physical, and optical properties as those that are naturally mined. The difference? They were created in a laboratory instead of being plucked from a mine.

Understanding the Solution

What’s the solution to ending the scourge of blood diamonds from society? It starts one transaction as a time, as consumers become more knowledgeable about the issues surrounding the sourcing and selling of these precious stones. As each of us does our small part, we can see this barbaric practice eradicated once and for all.

To learn more about lab-grown diamonds!

Nothing cements a romantic relationship than getting to spend the rest of your life with the special one. And to cement this relationship, one thing is sure for the men in the relationship, they will need to buy a ring. While it is easy for guys to pick out a good razor, or briefcase, purchasing a wedding or engagement ring is a different ball game. You can check this website for tips on shopping for one.

So why should you buy your jewelry pieces from James Allen? You can find out more in the section below.

1. High-Quality Diamonds

If you don’t know how to tell a diamond from a fake, you wouldn’t have any issues shopping at James Allen. This is because they have taken the time to source only the best, so you can be sure that all their diamonds are of the highest quality. There are options available of different carats, including 14k and 18k white and yellow gold options. So you are sure to find the right one for you.

2. Varieties Available

In addition to stocking some of the best quality diamonds around, you can also find different jewelry options on display. This means that if you are looking for diamond-encrusted bracelets, necklaces, earrings, you can be sure to find them for sale at James Allen. The diamonds are also available in different stone sizes, making it easy to fit them into custom pieces.

3. Free Engraving

Once you decide on a diamond ring, you also get to enjoy a free engraving service that further customizes your order to your specs. While this service not available to all products, you can easily leave a 20-character signature for engraving when checking out engagement and wedding rings. There are many designs available jamesallen.com put to the test, and they are capable of maintaining their integrity for years.

4. Amazing Customer Experience

When shopping for jewelry online at James Allen, you can rely on customer experience unlike any other in the business. You get a dedicated representative who has experience in gems and stones to guide you each step of the purchase. And they are not the pushy type eager the make sales. They are more interested in helping you out with any questions and issues you may have about finding the perfect ring for your occasion.

5. One-year Free Resizing

You also get to enjoy a free resizing anytime you check in your rings at any James Allen retail shops in the US. This one-year free resizing is excellent for those scared they could outgrow their rings shortly. And even when the one-year free window elapses, you can always get a discount anytime you need to make adjustments to your jewelry.

6. Free-shipping Worldwide

There is also free worldwide shipping attached to every ring purchased on the James Allen website. In addition to being free, shipping is fast, and there is also secure packaging and insurance with every product while in transit until it reaches its destination. You can find a list of the countries they ship to from their website.

7. 30 Day Hassle-Free Return

While we hope that she accepts your proposal, and nothing goes wrong with your purchase, there is a 30-day free return attached to every piece you buy from James Allen. This means that should you not be satisfied with the ring after delivery, you still get all your money returned at no additional cost. There are some suggestions here on what to do if you do not like your engagement rings.

Final Note 

Buying jewelry online will be a lot easier if you knew the right place to shop. And if you are in the market for high-quality diamond rings for all occasions, you should check out James Allen for some of the best-crafted gems around. Besides having high-quality options available, they also offer prices that make their products hard to resist for those shopping for diamond jewelry.

Looking for unique gemstones for your engagement ring? Here are some colorful options that offer you a lot of versatility.

1. Pink Tourmaline

One of the most important things to consider in a ring that you plan to wear every day is the hardness of the gem. You don’t want a stone that falls too low on the Mohs Scale and runs the risk of breaking or cracking when you wear it during everyday activities.

The lowest you want to go is probably around a seven on this scale, and pink tourmaline falls in this zone. It’s a really special color that stands out on all metal colors and skin tones. Whether it’s your birthstone or you just love the color pink, this type of tourmaline is a great alternative.

2. Swiss Blue Topaz

For those who love sapphire, but aren’t sure they have the funds to afford such an expensive stone, the Swiss blue topaz is a crowd favorite. It’s an enhanced version of the yellow/brown topaz that’s just as flexible and can be cut in any of your favorite shapes including marquis, emerald, and cushion. Choose the cut that best suits your finger and hand shape for the right look.

Topaz rates an eight on the Mohs Scale, making it almost as durable as sapphires and rubies. Swiss blue topaz is typically a lighter hue, while London blue topaz will deliver the deep, cobalt tones sapphire lovers crave.

3. Citrine

Another semi-hard gemstone, citrine isn’t typically used in engagement rings because its yellow hue simply isn’t for everyone. It is the perfect choice for anyone that wants to mix different colors of gemstone in a single ring, as its citrusy hue doesn’t overwhelm other colors. While a bold orangy yellow color looks great as the center stone of a solitaire engagement ring, the lighter versions of this stone pair beautifully with pink tourmaline, light blue aquamarine, and even the green tones of peridot.

Since it’s a slightly softer stone than diamond or ruby, you may want to take it off while doing chores like cleaning the toilet or washing the dishes. Design your own original storage ideas to ensure you have a nice spot to put the ring when you aren’t wearing it.

4. Peridot

Peridot is another lesser used ring because of its unusual color. With a range that swings between yellow and olive green, the hue depends entirely on the iron saturation within the mineral. When you choose a deep, olive peridot, it looks beautiful as the center stone of an engagement ring. Some of the lighter hues pair well when combined with other, brighter colors like aquamarine, topaz, and citrine.

If you’re an August baby, peridot may be the perfect engagement ring for you because it’s also your birthstone!

5. Blue Aquamarine

There’s something subtle, classic, and sophisticated about the light blue of aquamarine that puts it on the same level as a diamond. With a Latin name that means “water of the sea,” aquamarines play a central role in legends about mermaids and sailors. The calming blue hue is a great option for anyone that wants an alternative engagement ring that doesn’t overwhelm their everyday jewelry and attire.

6. Black Onyx

One of the most unusual gemstones on this list, a black stone isn’t typically the first choice for anyone’s engagement ring. If you’re one of those that simply loves darker stones — like black diamonds — a black onyx offers you similar durability and style without all the added cost.

A modern and contemporary stone that has a long history, onyx can be found both in women’s engagement rings and in men’s wedding bands. It’s a great stone if you want to match your partner’s ring design without wearing something overly ostentatious or flamboyant.

Going Alternative

While opal, pearls, and azurite are stunning stones that look beautiful in jewelry, their general durability is much lower than those of other gems. Before opting for one of these alternatives, consider the wear and tear they’ll suffer in a ring that you have on every single day.

Learning everything you can about engagement rings is crucial to making the right decision about the gemstone for your engagement ring. While you can always buy a new ring if you end up disliking the original, you don’t want to make such an expensive investment without considering every avenue. Browse the various options of alternative engagement rings before making your final decision.