If you are about to get your engagement ring or buying on someone’s behalf, there are certain things you need to know and keep in mind while ordering one online. Life is to be cherished by making sweet memories that last a lifetime, and engagement is one of the most memorable events in a person’s life. To find the best options and sources, here are a few tips on buying the engagement ring online.
Mined Diamonds
Mined diamonds and lab-created diamonds are the two diamond types that are popular among consumers. Mined diamonds or ‘natural diamonds’ are formed due to the excessive heat and pressure of the earth’s crust for millions of years. The time, manpower and money needed for extracting and limited sources make the mined diamonds cost a ridiculous amount of money.
Not to mention the unethical and ecological unfriendliness aspect of mining natural diamonds. Numerous cases of labour violence and casualties have been reported due to mining diamonds. The popular movie “Blood Diamond” represents the horrors of labor violence created by diamond mining. The diamond mining practice also causes deforestation and loss of sea life.
Lab-Created Diamonds
As technology progressed, the practice of diamond being created in labs has flourished. Lab-grown diamonds are made applying chemical vapour disposition, high pressure and high heat manually. These diamonds are identical to mined diamonds in terms of appearance and chemical property. Without specialised equipment, one cannot distinguish between the two kinds.
However, the lab-created ones are very much cost-effective and do not pose any harm to the environment. The manufacturing time is also swift. You can buy attractive lab-created diamonds without butchering your budget. In some cases, you may save up to 40% if you go for a lab-created diamond instead of a mined diamond. There are numerous lab-created diamond blogs for lab-created diamond Sydney for your assistance. Lab-created diamonds are certified by individual institutes such as the International Gemological Institute, Gemological Institute of America, Gemological Science International, Antwerp World Diamond Center, etc. So, before ordering your diamond, make sure to check its certification.
Recently, the tide has shifted towards lab-created diamond from mined diamonds as the lab-created diamonds are getting more and more attention than their counterparts. As people are more conscious, they are acknowledging the harmful effects of mined diamonds. Also, because of the sustainability and economical factor, lab-created diamonds have started dominating the market.
Price Factors
How much your diamond ring for your engagement will cost depends on the carat weight, size, cut, colour and clarity. Increasing the carat weight, transparency, and design will increase the overall cost. Some benchmark caret sizes include 0.5 carat, 0.7 carat, 1.0 carat, 1.2 carat, 1.5 carat and 2.0 carat. According to Lab Created Diamonds Blogs, the popular diamond shapes are round, princess, emerald, Asscher, marquise, oval, pear, cushion, radiant and heart.
Shapes
Out of all the shapes, round shaped diamonds are the most popular, and therefore, most expensive as well. The princess cut diamonds are round as well, with smaller face-up size and sharp corners. The Asscher shape is considered to be highly artistic. The marquise size is popular because of its elongated shape, which makes it seem more significant.
The oval sized ones are longer than the round ones with an occasional bowtie pattern at the centre. The pear shape is a brilliant shape, but it poses the risk of a weakened pointy top. The cushion sized ones are popular for flashing different coloured lights. The radiant shape is one of the most brilliantly designed shapes.
Different diamond shapes are preferred by different individuals depending on their taste, ring design and finger size. Some shapes make your finger look smaller, whereas some make it seem bigger. Therefore, before ordering for your loved ones, make sure to know which shape they would prefer.
Colour and Clarity
Colour and clarity are as crucial as the shape of a diamond. Colour is to choose wisely, keeping in mind the design of the ring. There are different clarity classes: F, IF, VVS, VVS1 and VVS2. D coloured flawless (F) diamonds are costly. IF are internally flawless diamonds, and the flaws are undetectable even under ten times magnification. VVS is not as expensive as the F or IF ones. VVS means very, very slightly included and has to subclasses, VVS1 and VVS2. VVS2 is more flawed than VVS1, and hence, cheaper. To simply put, the precise cut is more expensive, and a bit less precise one is more cost-effective.
Beware of Diamond Simulants!
Diamond simulants, which include moissanite and cubic zirconia, are chemically different from lab-grown and mined diamonds. The differences can be identified using the naked eye. The prices of these stimulants are also much lower. However, if not carefully checked, you might get scammed. Therefore, it recommended buying diamonds from prominent diamond retailers or companies.
Why Buy Online?
There have been reports of scams when it comes to selling diamonds. Therefore, it safe to buy from prominent companies. Almost all reputable diamond selling companies offer their customers online purchase facilities. These companies put their reputation at stake, and any report of scam would significantly harm their business.
Buying online also provides you with many customisable options and a wide variety of diamonds and ring designs to choose from. Most reputable companies also offer their customers return policies, making buying diamond rings online more efficient and satisfactory.
Rings are the most pivotal part of your engagement, and it is a must to get these right. So, before getting your dream engagement rings, make sure to consider the shape, size, carat weight, colour, clarity and proper certification.
However, in doing so, please do not spend too much money; the key is to find the right balance between luxury and compromising. And the maturity in your decision-making process always helps you find the best choice for your most precocious memories. You deserve the best, as always.