A lot of guys and gals feel so confused when shopping for an Engagement Ring, reason being, you don’t know what you don’t know. Read on for the 5 biggest questions you need to ask your jeweler when shopping for a Ring, regardless of where you shop, to ensure you’re buying the best and brightest Diamond for your budget.
Question #1: Ask your jeweler to see your Diamond’s certificate and its laser inscription under microscope
First thing’s first- you should always be shopping “certified” Diamonds. AKA Diamonds with a Grading Report from a reputable 3rd Party Diamond Grading Laboratory. For Natural Diamonds, we only recommend the GIA. For Lab-Grown Diamonds, the IGI and GIA are your best options. That’s step 1.
When you’re presented with these “certified” Diamonds, before you ask for anything else, ask to see the laser inscription on the Diamond’s girdle. This is the only way to make sure you’re getting the actual Diamond you’re being sold, not a replica with similar dimensions.
Question #2: Ask to see your Diamond under ASET Scope and under bright lighting
You’ve probably heard the mantra that “Cut” is the most important of the 4 Cs. It’s true. A Diamond’s most important job is to reflect light. Diamonds that don’t reflect enough look dull or flat, like a piece of glass. Ask your jeweler to show you any Diamonds you’re considering under ASET Scope, to objectively compare their light performance. Here’s what an ASET Scope’s colors mean:
After you’ve compared the stones under ASET Scope, ask the jeweler to mount the Diamonds on sample rings, and then run your phone’s flashlight over them while worn. You’ll see that the Diamonds which perform best under ASET also perform best to the naked eye.
BTW- THE GIA AND IGI DON’T GIVE “SUPER IDEAL” CUT GRADES! This is a sales tool by jewelers. Compare your Diamonds objectively, don’t take any jeweler’s word for how “perfectly-cut” a Diamond is.
Question #3: Ask your jeweler to see different-sized Diamonds, of varying L/W ratios
Always ask to see stones ~0.50 carats above and below the Diamond you’re considering. A good jeweler will show you larger stones and not try to push them on you- they’ll want you to find the perfect size. For example, we keep 4 carat Diamonds in stock for all the most popular shapes- Round, Oval, Radiant, Cushion. Not because I want you to buy a 4 carat, but because I want you to try one on and determine for yourself if that’s too big. Additionally, you might have heard that Diamonds of the same carat weight aren’t the same size.
Our eyes appreciate surface area, NOT carat weight. For an Emerald-Cut, Oval or Radiant, you’ll want to be between 1.40 and 1.50 L/W ratio for a larger-looking stone. For a Pear-shape or a Marquise, use your eyes to find the right balance of length and width. Usually a 1.60-1.70 L/W is a happy balance of the two.
Question #4: Compare different Color Grades with your naked eyes
If your jeweler says “Your Ring’s going to look yellow unless it’s got a “D” Color Diamond”: run, don’t walk, to the exit. For most Natural Diamonds under 3 carats, you won’t see any tints of yellow or brown for a GIA Graded “Near Colorless” (G, H, I, or J Color) Diamond. To optimize your budget, aim for the lowest Color Grade (or close to it) where your Diamond looks “white”. Use this chart for guidance going in.
For a Lab-Grown Diamond, our stock quality is IGI Graded “F” Color. This is the perfect balance between budget and brightness under 4 carats. Once we hit 4 carats, you’ll see “E” or “D” colored stones in our shop, but we don’t push top-Color Diamonds on smaller stones, because it simply isn’t necessary.
Question #5: Compare different Clarity Grades under loupe and to the naked eye
When Ring shopping, ask your jeweler to see an “SI1” versus a “VS1” for a brilliant-cut Diamond under 3 carats and see if you can tell the difference. Clarity is a game played under a microscope, and you don’t need a “VVS1-2” Diamond until you break 4 carats (in most cases). All you really care about is an “eye-clean” stone, one that has no imperfections visible to the naked eye without magnification. Use this chart for help. Again, sprint to the exit if you’re told that a 2 carat stone needs to be “VVS1” to look eye-clean.
BONUS: Have all your Diamonds tested!
Make sure your jeweler tests any Diamonds your considering with a pen tester in front of you. This will give you additional peace of mind that you’re getting what you’re paying for. Also, some jewelers might want to keep you away from the Lab-Grown Diamonds in their safe, saying they aren’t real Diamonds. Have them put a pen to them, and watch the color drain from their faces. Lab-Grown Diamonds are indeed real Diamonds, you can read more about them here.
Javi Perez,
President
I’m here to help you create the PERFECT Engagement Ring for thousands off retail price. Keep saving for a lifetime with your soulmate while creating a Ring she’ll adore forever.
- Call me at 888-596-6380 (I’m extension 2)
- Hit the DMs @gabrieledwardjewelers
- Email me at javi@gabrieledwardjewelers.com
Why Gabriel Edward Jewelers for the Ring?
