How to Rate a Diamond Ring
When selecting a diamond ring, you may rate it on two different scales: aesthetic value or market value. If you are rating the diamond ring based upon aesthetic value, you will place greater value upon the ring's characteristics that align with your personal taste. Rating a diamond ring upon its market value, however, requires that you hold the monetary worth of the ring's structural components in high regard. More often than not, you will consider both the aesthetic and market values when buying a diamond ring. You will want high-quality materials that suit your personal preferences. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Compare the value of the metal of the diamond ring's band to the retail value of other available band metals. Platinum bands are the most valuable of band metals, so diamond rings with platinum bands are more expensive. Rose gold, white gold and yellow gold are also popular choices for band metals.
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Select a diamond ring whose diamond is a shape you prefer. Common diamond ring shapes include round, emerald, oval and cushion.
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Evaluate the diamonds in the ring for the four C's: cut, color, clarity and carat weight. The way a diamond is cut effects how light enters and exits it, also known as its brilliance or sparkle. A diamond's color ranges from D, the clearest and most desirable, to Z, less desirable with a hint of color.The clarity refers to the amount and size of natural imperfections a diamond has, and the fewer imperfections the better. A diamond's carat weight corresponds to its weight. A larger diamond will have a greater carat weight and is likely to be more expensive than a diamond with a lower carat weight.
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Compare diamond ring settings. Popular diamond ring settings include bead, pavé, flush and bezel. These settings differ according to how much protection they offer the diamond, how well they display the diamond, and which of the diamond's characteristics they enhance.
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Tips & Warnings
Select a diamond ring with a white gold band if you like the look of platinum. White gold looks very similar but costs much less.
A diamond's carat weight is the size of the diamond, and larger diamonds are more valuable than smaller diamonds.
Clear, colorless diamonds are typically more expensive and of a higher quality, but rare, colored diamonds are even more expensive. (See Reference 1 and 2)
Consult a jeweler or jewelry appraiser if you need assistance rating a diamond ring or want to learn more about commonly used jewelry terms.
Certain diamond shapes look better in particular diamond settings. (See Reference 3) While this may have no direct effects on the market value of the ring, a setting that conflicts or does nothing to enhance a diamond will have far less aesthetic value for customers.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit diamond ring image by jimcox40 from Fotolia.com
