Diamond Buying Guide: How To Choose A Diamond
When it comes to choosing diamond jewellery, the number of options can seem overwhelming. Luckily, our diamond buying guide is here to help. Whether you’re shopping for engagement rings in Hatton Garden, a gift, or a personal investment, this diamond guide will help you make a confident, informed choice that matches your taste and budget.
Choosing Your Diamond
It’s important to consider your personal preference when choosing any precious stone or piece of jewellery. However, there are various aspects that you can consider to help you decide on which diamond to buy.
You can start by choosing the diamond shape and carat you want. This is then followed by the colour and clarity of the diamond. Continue reading to find out how to choose a diamond based on the “4 C’s”.
The 4 C’s
Learn about the essential 4 Cs of diamond quality - Colour, Cut, Clarity and Carat - with our expert diamond guide. As a premier jewellery company, we'll provide you with valuable insights on how to evaluate each of these factors to make an informed decision when purchasing a diamond. Take a look at each of the 4 C’s diamond quality guide below.
Colour
The presence or absence of colour in a diamond can significantly affect its value. As a basic diamond guide, the colourless diamonds (graded D-F) are the most valuable. The further the diamond's colour grade moves down the scale, the presence of yellow or brown hues becomes more apparent, resulting in a decrease in value. However, fancy coloured diamonds, such as pink, blue, or yellow, are an exception to this rule and can be more valuable than colourless diamonds, depending on their intensity and rarity.
Cut
Next on our diamond quality guide is the diamond cut. This refers to its proportions, symmetry, and polish. All of these factors determine how well the diamond
reflects light and sparkles. A well-cut diamond will have optimal proportions, which allows it to reflect the maximum amount of light and appear more brilliant and fierier. A poorly cut diamond, on the other hand, may appear dull and lifeless, significantly decreasing its value. As such, the cut is one of the most critical factors in determining a diamond's value and overall beauty.
Some of the most popular cuts include round engagement rings and oval engagement rings. If you’re looking for something a little different, why not browse our heart cut engagement rings and princess cut engagement rings.
Clarity
Diamond clarity refers to the presence or absence of internal or external flaws. This is also known as inclusions or blemishes. Flaws can affect a diamond's appearance and may impact its durability. Diamonds with fewer or no visible inclusions are considered more valuable and desirable, as they allow for more light to pass through the diamond, resulting in increased brilliance and sparkle.
Carat
The carat weight of a diamond is a measurement of its size, with one carat equivalent to 0.2 grams. While carat weight does impact a diamond's value, it is not the only factor to consider in our diamond quality guide. A larger diamond may not necessarily be more valuable than a smaller one of higher quality, such as one with better cut, clarity, or colour. Nonetheless, carat weight remains a crucial factor in determining a diamond's size and overall appearance.
Shop Online
Choosing Your Diamond Online
When it comes to diamonds, our Hatton Garden jewellers can offer you years of experience and skills along with our high-quality stones. You can browse various cuts and ring styles with the confidence that you’re looking at first-class diamonds.
Along with our diamond buying guide, it’s also a good idea to look at our precious metal guide to help you learn more about yellow gold, rose gold, white gold and platinum.
Schedule an appointment in Hatton Garden
Book an appointment today to visit us in store and browse our diamond collection. We have a variety of cuts and carats available to suit your preferences.
Choosing a Diamond FAQs
Do diamonds hold their value?
Diamonds have always been one of the most sought-after precious stones. It depends on market conditions as to how much value the diamond will hold.
How do I choose the best diamond?
Just remember the 4 C’s from our diamond quality guide!
Which diamond shape should I choose?
It’s up to you. Some diamond cuts, such as oval and pear, help to elongate fingers, which is a great choice if you have small hands.
Should I sacrifice quality for a bigger diamond?
It’s a good idea to consider all 4 C’s when looking at diamonds. It is personal preference some people prefer to go for a lower colour or clarity and have a bigger diamond and others prefer to choose a higher colour or clarity but a smaller diamond. It all comes down to personal preference.
