With This Ring

Wedding rings have long been a customary symbol of marriage. Your wedding rings are special because they say that even in your uniqueness you have chosen to be bonded, to allow the presence of another person to enhance who you are. These rings symbolize the vows you will take…circles without beginning or end…symbols of enduring love and a lifetime of friendship. These rings mark a long journey together of giving and receiving love, signifying to all the bond of marriage the two of you share.

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You may already have some idea of what you like, but once you start shopping for your engagement ring you still may find the choices overwhelming. Solitaire, gold, platinum. Matte finish, satin finish. There are so many options, each beautiful in its own way, which means you’re faced with the difficult task of finding the perfect ring that feels and looks just right for you. After your selection then comes the often difficult task of also paying for it.

Many people are aware of the two-month rule, which suggests the value of an engagement ring should equal two months of the groom’s salary. Therefore this makes your purchase a considerable investment. The groom will also be purchasing the bride’s wedding ring, and although tradition indicates that the bride purchase the groom’s wedding ring, some grooms purchase this as well. With such a great deal of money involved, it is imperative to get what you pay for, so here’s a quick guide.

The Stone: Diamond Basics
The most important element to consider when shopping for a diamond is cut, color, clarity and carat–the four Cs. Contrary to popular belief, cut and not carat is the number one factor in determining the value of a diamond.

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Cut

A well-cut diamond beautifully directs rays of white light to the diamond’s facets, the small planes on the surface of the stone. The reflected light emanating from the facets defines a stone’s fire and brilliance. Fire is the intensity of the rainbow of colors cast outward in a prism-like effect, while brilliance indicates the amount of sparkle generated. Cut should not be confused with the shape of a diamond, which includes brilliant (round), oval, pear, marquis, emerald, square, heart and triangle.

Color
The color of a diamond is the next quality to consider. The best color is no color at all, since an absolutely colorless diamond reflects light most beautifully. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) ranks diamonds on a standard 23-grade scale, from D through Z. D, the highest rating, indicates a perfectly colorless stone, while Z, the lowest rating, indicates a light yellow stone. The color ranges within this scale are colorless, near colorless, very light yellow, and light yellow.

Clarity
Next to consider is the clarity of a diamond, which is defined by the number, color, nature, size and position of natural marks–called inclusions–contained in the gem. Inclusions occur naturally during the process of crystallization, when minute traces of minerals are trapped in the diamond.

To determine clarity, an appraiser examines a diamond through a jeweler’s loupe, which magnifies the stone 10 times. The fewer and smaller the inclusions a diamond contains, the greater its clarity and thus its value. Excellent clarity means light is able to pass unimpeded through the stone. The GIA judges clarity based on a standard 11-part grading scale, as follows:

FL & IF: Flawless and internally flawless (Inclusions not visible Under 10x)
VVS1 & VVS2: Very, very slight inclusions (extremely difficult to see under 10x)
VS1 & VS2: Very slight inclusions (difficult to see under 10x)
SI1 & SI2: Small inclusions (noticeable under 10x)
I1, I2 & I3: Imperfect (flaws visible to the unaided eye)

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Carat
The carat weight of a diamond is the final consideration. In ancient times, gem size was measured against carob seeds, which are remarkably consistent in weight. One carat equaled the weight of a single carob seed. In today’s terms, a carat is the standard metric weight of 0.2 grams, or 1/142 of an ounce.

Another way to indicate a diamond’s weight is in points, with one carat equaling 100 points. So a diamond of 50 points, for instance, equals 1/2 carat. Diamonds of more than one carat are extremely rare (one in a thousand), and therefore very valuable. But remember that carat weight is only one factor in determining value. Two diamonds of the same size can vary considerably in value depending on the other three factors cut, color and clarity.

Appraise It
Once the rings have been selected and purchased, request an appraisal. This is a written estimate of the value of your jewelry. Appraisals of diamonds should include specific indications of the four Cs. Immediately after the purchase, have your jewelry photographed for insurance purposes, and make sure your current policy has adequate coverage. If it does not, consult your insurance agent about amending your policy.

Take Care
Although diamonds are the hardest natural substance known to man (2,000 times harder than rubies or sapphires and 3,000 times harder than emeralds), you should not wear them when performing rough work. A hard blow can still chip a diamond. You should also avoid direct contact with chlorine bleach or chlorinated pool water, which could pit and discolor the mounting.

On the rare occasions when you do not wear your diamonds, store them alone in a fabric-lined jewelry case or in a jewelry box with separate compartments. This precaution keeps your diamond ring from scratching against other jewelry, including other diamonds.
Diamonds, like other gemstones, get smudged and dirty from natural oils, lotions, perfumes and hair spray. To keep your jewels clean, regularly soak them for about 30 minutes in either a commercial jewelry cleaner, or homemade solution comprised of equal parts cold water and ammonia, or a mixture of warm water and mild detergent. Brush the stones gently with an eyebrow brush, then rinse thoroughly under warm water and pat dry with a lint-free cloth.

Have your rings checked annually by your jeweler for loose prongs or settings. You’ll be repaid for these small precautions, and the gentle care you give your ring, with years of enjoyment and pride in this precious symbol of your marriage.

Recommended Jewelers

The Vault Fine Jewelers 559.225-5363

The Diamond Gallery 559.434.3688