Anyone know about diamonds? Cuts? Colour?

[MozzchopsThirty]

There was another thread a few weeks ago but I can't find it

DP is buying me a commitment ring, no engagement as neither of us want to get married again

I like pear shaped and emerald cuts

But what's to best shape to go for that won't date?
Do I need a whole carat?
I just want a diamond, no colour
Definitely platinum though

Just wondering if anyone is a jeweller or knows more than me who can advise please

No expertise at all, but my advice would be...

The best shape that won't date is one you love and will happily put on your hand every day.

Everyone goes on about cut, clarity, colour - but unless a stone is the right size, it won't look right on you. I have sausage fingers, so my plan of getting small high quality stones didn't work as they looked awful on me. Choose the size you want, and then get the best quality you can for the budget.

I just want a big fuck off rock

But in all seriousness I don't know a thing about cut or clarity

You're right though I want something that makes me smile everyday and reminds me how happy i am to be with someone I adore

@MozzchopsThirty

I just want a big fuck off rock

But in all seriousness I don't know a thing about cut or clarity

You're right though I want something that makes me smile everyday and reminds me how happy i am to be with someone I adore

Well why does the clarity matter if you want a big rock?

Decide how much the budget is, go to a jewellers / jewellery quarter and ask to see their emerald and pear shaped diamond rings within that budget and then choose the one you like the best.
The better the clarity the smaller the diamond or bigger the budget so start with the budget and go from there.

I know some companies like Pandora are doing the manufactured diamonds now - identical but no risk of blood diamonds or risk to miners lives in dangerous conditions.

If ethical issues are a motivating force, that could be a good option.

I preach about this all the time but you really do get a bigger rock for your buck when you buy second hand/vintage/ antique

Check out local auction rooms - many have jewellery sales every couple of months and you can try on so many different styles.

Shape and size to suit your hard. Color and clarity based on budget.

Antique deffo. better price wise, I personally like emerald or marquise cut if I was buying no and had lots of moolah. Does it have to be a diamond? I have an aquamarine emerald cut, set with small diamonds either side, I was complimented on it again only this week this is a dress ring, my engagement ring is a three stone diamond crossover antique.

I would go with moissanite which is a man made diamond and is very much NOT a cubic zirconia. Check out www.brilliantearth.com

You’ll get a gorgeous rock in whatever setting you fancy and will pay thousands less than a real diamond.

But if you want a real diamond then I would get at least 1 carat, either D/E in color (which is colorless) and VS1/VS2 on the clarity scale. If clarity isn’t such a big deal then go SI1 on the inclusion scale which will bring down the cost but unless someone is staring at the rock with a scope, the inclusions won’t be that noticeable.

"Do I need a whole carat?"

No, but if you do (and it suits your hand shape etc), then I've read that buying a diamond just under the exact 1 carat can save a great deal of money as prices jump when they get to the 'magic' carat mark. I don't know how it works in practice though.

diamondcuttersintl.com/buying-shy/

I would second the PP suggestion of Moissanite. It's a beautiful clear stone in its own right. Not created to be an exact diamond copy like CZ.
It's ethically created and rather a fashionable choice nowadays. I considered it for mine originally.
In my opinion, unless you have tiny fingers, a slightly bigger size can be flattering. Step cuts look smaller to the eye as they are cut deeper and carat weight goes on that.
I love an oval cut, far prefer that to either round or marquis.
Don't worry too much about colour, but cut and clarity will influence how it sparkles and obvious inclusions will bother you over time.
I would really consider moissanite around the 7mm size. Would look LOVELY!

I have a pear engagement ring 0.8 carat but with a halo which makes it 1 carat total.

I love it and everyone comments on how the shape suits me.

Definitely go to the jewellery quarter, mine cost £3k total for that size and the best cut and clarity, also the whitest colour. Our local jeweller had quoted £8k for a similar ring!!! We couldn’t believe how much better value.

We used Mitchel & Co and can’t recommend them enough. We had a lovely afternoon with their lovely team trying different things and coming up with the final design. It was ready about a month later, custom made for me and I LOVE it!!!

Where is the jewellery quarter?

I like these, some of them just under at 0.98

As others have said - go second-hand. Diamonds crater in price.

I would go second hand or auction house, have a budget and just try on loads to see what you like. Unless you’re going for something exceptionally odd it won’t date. Better quality and size second hand, I don’t know why anyone would buy new

There is a jewellery quarter in Birmingham.
Auctions are good too.
Brilliant cut is nice and sparkly , yes to getting just under the carat as the prices jump.

This is £3800 with a 1.6 carat diamond.

Important diamond info resulting in the best quality is the 3 Cs.
Carat = usually solitaires are from 0.20, 0.50, 0. 75, to 1 and far beyond.

Clarity= diamonds are made from crystallised carbon (coal), so some have little black specks in. In the best diamonds the specks can only be seen through a eyeglass. The very best have no inclusions.

Colour= diamonds can come in natural colours, natural coloured ones are rare. The traditional colourless diamonds can be from slightly yellowish to absolutely clear white. Holding the stone against white paper helps show this.

Personally I’d go to a good Antique/ vintage jeweller. There’s a huge mark up and tax on new jewellery.

Mine is emerald cut, a big giant sparkly moissanite but with little diamonds along the band. I have chunky fingers so needed a big rock but didn’t want to pay diamond prices!

@ShutUpAlex Please please please post a picture! I spend a lot of time drooling over step cuts! I was told that moissanite wasn't great for step cuts and I regret not seeing one in person before deciding!

When you try it on, make sure you see it in daylight and not just the very bright lights in a jewellers - they can make anything look bright!

@MozzchopsThirty

Where is the jewellery quarter?

I like these, some of them just under at 0.98

My DD had one similar to this made in the Jewellery quarter in Birmingham. It cost half the price than the one she saw in beaverbrooks 🤣

I didn't realise anyone was still buying diamonds given the human rights violations associated with them. Why not get him to buy you something that cannot be linked to another human's suffering? Shows more imagination too.

@ScottishNewbie this one

That is absolutely STUNNING, you lucky duck.
I think I may need an anniversary ring in a few years.
Emerald cuts are just dreamy!

I agree look at antiques. Attached is a picture of my antique five diamond. I inherited it and wear it every day. It's quite a flat setting so very wearable.