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Are you thinking about buying a diamond? Perhaps as a gift for a loved one or maybe even a treat for yourself? Unfortunately, it isn’t always simple to pick the right diamond as there are lots of things that affect the appearance and quality.
But don’t worry, we’re here to help! We have put together this handy guide that will help you to choose the very best diamond to suit your budget.
So, what do I need to know? The most important characteristics to look at when choosing a diamond is cut, colour, clarity and carat weight. Or an easier way to remember is thinking of the 4 Cs!
Cut
What makes diamonds so appealing? We have to say that it’s their sparkle! And this feature depends on how the diamond is cut. If it isn’t cut to perfection, the diamond can appear dull. You may want a diamond that is less sparkly, it’s all down to your own preference. But we can help you to choose the right one from the selection of high quality diamonds that we have available.
The most important thing is to cut the diamond to the proper proportions, so it’s not too shallow and not to deep. Achieving the perfect cut means that when the light moves through the diamond, it is given an eye-catching beautiful sparkle and shine.
At Nettletons, we think that our diamonds are some of the world’s very best. We use experienced stonecutters to create the most proportioned diamonds, ensuring that the finished product stands out and reaches its visual potential. We don’t believe that a diamond’s beauty relies on its size but rather, how well it is cut. And we promise that although our diamonds aren’t flawless, only the next best thing makes it onto our shelves!
Colour
Diamonds can come in a wide range of colours, from clear and yellow to pinks and blues. Naturally coloured diamonds are more expensive than others, so this may be something to bear in mind when choosing your diamond.
There is an industry standard that helps us to grade the colour to assess its value. Colourless diamonds are graded D, E or F, depending on how clear they are. Nearly colourless are graded G-J, faint yellows K-M, very light-yellow N-R and light-yellow S-Z.
The colour difference at higher grades is not noticeable to a trained eye, so for buyers like yourself, you won’t be able to tell the difference! This means that if you are looking for the affordable option, our jewellery with G-H grade diamonds is a great choice.
If you aren’t sure which grade diamond to opt for, don’t worry! Our experienced jewellers would be more than happy to discuss the options with you so that you are 100% happy with your choice.
Clarity
For those who aren’t familiar with the term, clarity refers to the birth marks that a diamond has. But why do diamonds have these? This is because they are formed deep under the earth, and face extreme heat and pressure conditions.
A diamond that has lots of these birth marks is considered lower quality. This is because the imperfections block the light from getting through the diamond, so they don’t have the sought-out sparkly appearance.
Most diamonds have these birth marks, however, most of them are only visible under a microscope and not the naked eye. The stone cutters that produce the diamonds for our products are experts and will ensure that these birth marks are not visible.
Carat Weight
One thing that many people assume when we talk about the carat of a diamond is that we are talking about the size. However, carat actually refers to the weight of the diamond. One carat weighs 0.2 grams and this, combined with the clarity and colour, will affect the price.
To get the very best diamond, you must consider the carat weight and cut together. A large diamond with a poor cut can actually appear smaller than a smaller diamond with an excellent quality cut, so this is something to pay attention to.
A good tip for anyone on a budget is to opt for a carat that weighs slightly less than a whole or half carat mark. For instance, instead of selecting the 1.0 carat diamond, you could consider a 0.9 carat. There will probably be a hefty price difference between the two, but the actual size difference will be very little.
Other Things to Consider
Another thing to think about when it comes to diamonds is the shape. Choosing a diamond that compliments the ring, necklace or other type of jewellery is extremely important. That’s why our jewellery makers use a diamond that complements every aspect of the design, including the material, colour and shape.
We have lots of different diamond shapes available, from cushion and princess cuts to oval and round shaped diamonds. Whatever style of diamond you’re looking for, we can help you to find the perfect piece of jewellery!
What We Can Do for You
Nettletons Jewellers has 125 years of experience in the industry, which means we really do know what we’re talking about! We have everything you need when it comes to jewellery, from stylish watches and beautiful earrings to charming necklaces and stunning bracelets.
Many of our customers come to us for their engagement rings, which is a piece of jewellery that is sentimental and should last a lifetime. That’s why we will spend time with you giving professional and advice to make sure you choose the perfect one for your partner.
For more information about our diamond products, visit our diamond rings and engagement rings departments.
If you would like to see our jewellery, we would be happy to welcome you to our store in Clitheroe. Alternatively, you can call 01200 422127 or emailinfo@nettletonsjewellers.co.uk to speak to a member of the team.
