Whether you are blissfully basking in the glow of ring shopping, or just passive-aggressively hinting to your BF by placing Tiffany & Co. catalogues in his bathroom basket, it is important for every gal to know a little bit about her best friend…diamonds, that is.

Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat

You may have heard of the 4 C’s and while all 4 are important aspects to selecting the right ice for your budget, cut is the number one thing you will want to determine when it comes to your personal style. There are many possibilities, but the ten most popular cuts (or shapes) are as follows…

Round – sometimes referred to as a ‘brilliant’  or ‘round brilliant’ cut, this little guy maximizes the light passing through its many facets (or cuts) to provide the most sparkle for your buck. Due to this, round cut diamonds are often charged at a premium to the other cuts.

Princess – this is the second most popular cut (after the round brilliant). It is a super precise square.

Emerald – this cut was originally reserved for, you guessed it – emeralds. It is generally rectangular with stepped side cuts and cropped corners.

Cushion – experiencing a comeback a la stirrup pants, the cushion cut is a cut of yesteryear that falls somewhere between a square and an oval shape with its straight edges and rounded corners.

Heart – pretty self-explanatory, and for a very specific type of bride.

Pear – this guy provides a unique shape alternative with the same characteristics and sparkle of a round cut.

Marquise – like a long oval with pointed tips, the marquise is a more old-fashioned style that could perhaps experience a surge in popularity one of these days.

Oval – Also configured similarly to the round brilliant cut, the oval provides a bit of a different look that has remained popular since the 1960’s.

Radiant – this cut is often a rectangle (but sometimes a square) with cropped corners. It has the best of both the round and the emerald worlds; the many fiery facets (or cuts) of a round with the shape of an emerald.

Asscher  – often referred to as the ‘square emerald cut’, the asscher has cropped corners and stepped side cuts. Due to Carrie’s asscher cut on Sex and the City more jewelers are starting to carry (no pun intended) this turn-of-the-century style once again.

What about the other C’s?

Once you have decided which cut is oh-so-you, the other C’s will dictate your budget. Colour is judged on a scale of how ‘white’ the diamond is, and is classified alphabetically as D through J (D being the whitest). Clarity of course refers to how clear the stone is (or how cloudy it isn’t); the larger the diamond, the more difficult it is to find a stone without flaws (or inclusions), which you guessed it – will kick up the price of that rock real fast. Carat weight is one we are all familiar with as well; this is the weight or size of the diamond.

Where should I shop?

While there are tons of diamond retailers (some of whom really know their stuff), Tiffany & Co., Birks, or People’s are not your only options. Many folks are so intimidated by the purchase of a diamond, that it feels easier to go with a reputable brand (which makes sense in so many ways), but if you are looking for an alternative, or perhaps a chance to work on something a little bit custom, consider a diamond dealer, wholesaler, or independent designer like Studio 1098 (they purchase loose stones and work with you to customize a setting). This can be an intimate and special experience, while saving you major cash-ola.

Is bigger always better?

Not even. A 4-carat diamond with low clarity and a slightly yellowish colour could potentially cost around the same amount as a 1-carat, near-perfect stone. There is no exact scale as every adjustment to one of the 4 C’s changes the game completely. It is a 100% personal choice; some want a wow-factor whopper, and some want to know that their more understated piece is the best possible quality.

Of course a diamond is forever, but are there any styles that are super trendy right now?

Just like footwear and sexting, celebs tend to set the next big thing and engagement rings are no different. Famous rings currently causing a stir are Kim Kardashian’s 20.5-carat emerald cut with trapezoid side stones, Katie Holmes’ 5-carat oval, Nicole Richie’s 4-carat round brilliant, and of course Kate Middleton’s (aka the Duchess of Cambridge) 12-carat hand-me-down sapphire with diamonds.  

Indestructible! 

We’ve seen it in James Bond but just as a reminder, diamonds are, in fact, the hardest mineral substance on earth 

and are pretty much indestructible. Did you know that only a diamond can scratch another diamond? This is why the blades of diamond-cutting machines contain crushed-up diamonds. And since these little beauties are residing on your appendages (i.e. they are guaranteed to collide with doors, dishes, and other people’s watches), they need to be able to stand up to some serious abuse.

I wanna rebel! What can I seal the deal with besides a diamond?

Precious stones of the non-diamond variety are both fabulously unique, and substantially less expensive than diamonds. Some absolutely perfecto gems worthy of a “yes!” are sapphires, emeralds, rubies, and opals. And don’t worry, they are forever too.

~ Ali Maldoff