Diamonds, fine jewelry, and engagement rings are prized possessions and it important to protect your purchase with jewelry insurance. Although every order from Brilliance is fully insured during shipment, the responsibility for your purchase is transferred to the customer upon arrival at your address. Jewelry insurance can be purchased through your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, or can be bought separately through a specialized jewelry insurance company.
Most homeowner’s and renter’s insurances automatically include coverage from between $500 to $2,500 for all jewelry items within the home. One option is to add your jewelry or diamond purchase to your homeowner’s and renter’s insurance as an additional item to protect you in the event of theft. However, these policies do not always protect against other events such as loss or damage. Additionally, they may only cover a portion of the value of your jewelry or have certain policies that you need to be aware of such as deductibles, source for replacement, coverage amount, and others. If you select this method of insurance, it is important you ask questions regarding these policies and be knowledgeable of your coverage.
The option that offers the most protection is to add a rider to your homeowner’s or renter’s policy. Before insuring your purchase, the insurance company will request a gemological appraisal, which is a document that provides a detailed description of the item to be insured as well as the replacement value of the item. Gemological appraisals are usually conducted by an expert jeweler or gemologist and can cost between $50-$250. As a unique service to you, Brilliance provides a free gemological appraisal certified by our Master Gemologist with every purchase. This option guarantees enough coverage for your jewelry or diamond. Keep in mind that the coverage rates are often negotiable.
If you do not want to add a rider to your homeowner’s or renter’s policy, or do not currently have insurance, you can also purchase insurance through companies like Jeweler’s Mutual or The Chubb Group that specialize in protecting prized assets like fine jewelry or engagement rings. These companies will also require a gemological appraisal prior to insuring your purchase. Jeweler’s Mutual policies generally cover loss, theft, mysterious disappearance, and damage. Additionally, with Jeweler’s Mutual, you get to work with the jeweler of your choice and not through a dictated replacement company, as other companies require. However, a policy through Jeweler’s Mutual does not usually cover unset stones or loose diamonds. The Chubb Group offers a policy that covers personal valuables such as jewelry. This company has an insurance option that provides full coverage for the itemized amount shown on the policy without deductibles. Additionally, this insurance covers loss and theft world-wide. In addition to the option of replacing your jewelry item, Chubb also allows you to receive a cash settlement instead of replacement. An appraisal is recommended for jewelry insurance and required for items valued above $50,000.
Any insurance company will recommend that you have your jewelry inspected and appraised often to prevent potential losses and to update the replacement value of your items. Brilliance offers this service free of charge to our clients twice a year with our care and maintenance program. You can send your Brilliance jewelry to us for free inspection, cleaning, polishing, and refinishing. This way you will keep your jewelry looking like new and your diamonds set securely to help prevent a loss. Additionally, an updated appraisal can be issued to our clients upon request.
A Brilliance representative can explain your insurance options and can assist you in the process of insuring your purchase. Upon request, we can also fax your jewelry appraisal to your insurance company prior to shipment so that your purchase is insured upon arrival to you. Contact a Brilliance representative at 866-737-0754 to get started.
Are you considering buying EGL diamonds? If so, is the diamond grading report issued from EGL International or EGL USA? When purchasing an EGL certified diamond, it’s important to understand the fundamental differences between these organizations.
In 1973, Guy Margel opened the first European Gemological Laboratory (EGL) in Antwerp, Belgium. Today, EGL International has a presence in all major diamond sourcing cities in the world, including Antwerp, Johannesburg, Paris, London, Tel Aviv, Seoul, Istanbul, Mumbai, Delhi, and Cape Town. Each of the EGL facilities is an independent franchise operating under the EGL International brand.
Originally, EGL USA was a franchisee of EGL International. In 1986, it became independent of the European organization, and today operates as a completely separate company. Headquartered in New York City, EGL USA has laboratories in Los Angeles, Vancouver, and Toronto.
Grading Differences
Diamond grading is a subjective skill. When these skills are put to the test at laboratories maintaining independent diamond grading standards, it’s no surprise that there are sometimes discrepancies. EGL International maintains 10 independently owned and operated testing facilities around the world, while EGL USA’s three laboratories are owned and operated collectively as one entity. This means that EGL USA is able to maintain much more uniform and rigorous standards than EGL International.
Generally speaking, EGL International diamond grades are more lenient than those issued by EGL USA. As a rule of thumb, EGL USA certified diamonds are comparable to EGL International certified diamonds that are graded one color grade and one clarity grade higher. For example, an EGL USA diamond that’s graded H in color and SI1 in clarity would be graded as G and VS2 by EGL International.
Choosing an EGL Certified Diamond
Approximately 23% of certified diamonds sold on the Internet are EGL-graded. When purchasing one of these diamonds, be sure to look for a diamond report with an EGL USA logo. This report will state, “Member of the EGL USA Group”, with certificate numbers preceded by either US (United States) or CA (Canada).
Currently, EGL USA is attempting to stop the import of loose diamonds with EGL International reports. Diamond reports issued by European labs have a universal report with the country of origin printed on the cover card. Each European lab has its own numbering or lettering convention, as outlined in the examples below:
EGL Belgium: Alphanumeric characters; certificate code begins with A
EGL South Africa: Begins with SA
EGL Turkey: Begins with T
EGL India: Begins with letters D – J; maximum of 9 digits
EGL Israel: Usually begins with a number 2
If you’re purchasing an EGL-graded stone, keep in mind that EGL USA has tighter grading standards – especially with regard to diamond color and clarity. However, there’s no guarantee that all EGL USA certified diamonds are better than those certified by EGL International. Although the EGL International’s looser grading standards have made their certification slightly less credible, they have also caused the prices of EGL International certified diamonds to be lower in the diamond market. Therefore, you can sometimes get a great bargain for an EGL International certified diamond that has been under-priced.
When in doubt, it’s a good idea to consult with an experienced jewelry and diamond professional before making your purchase. Contact a Brilliance diamond expert at 866-737-0754 for guidance on which diamond certification is right for you.
Many people approach buying loose diamonds by just walking into their local jewelry store, but there’s actually lot to think about in order to make an informed decision. The people behind Brilliance.com make it their goal to educate customers all about certified loose diamonds and diamond jewelry. Doing this ensures customers are getting the very best certified diamonds available on the market and the highest quality customer service. Because of Brilliance.com’s dedication to quality and customer service, the diamonds they offer are certified by some of the most qualified and well-respected laboratories in the world.
Laboratory Certified Diamonds
What’s the difference between laboratory certified diamonds and uncertified loose diamonds? It’s easy - laboratory certified diamonds have been graded by a trained gemologist. The gemologist will note all the important details about the diamond, including the cut, carat weight, clarity and color. The professional gemologists will be able to discover any flaws, determine the color, weigh the diamond and evaluate how well the cut maximizes the diamond’s brilliance and fire.
Each stone is graded objectively, regardless of who is grading the diamond. Sometimes more than one gemologist grades each stone to ensure accuracy. Since the world of certified diamonds is a small one, some laboratories even hide the name of the diamond’s owner, allowing the gemologist to grade the stone without bias.
What Can You Expect From Brilliance.com’s Certified Diamonds?
You’ll be sure to find quality diamonds if you’re shopping at Brilliance.com. If you’re shopping for certified diamonds, you can easily compare diamonds of similar sizes, cuts and price ranges. This means you can purchase the best quality diamond regardless of how small or large a budget you have available.
Certified diamonds from Brilliance.com are sold with a detailed grading report. If you’re looking for diamonds from other sources, make sure you’ll receive the grading report along with the diamond. A reputable store selling certified loose diamonds should expect to include this information with your purchase. If they can’t provide it, take your diamond shopping elsewhere.
Trust Only The Best Diamond Laboratories
There are many laboratories that grade certified loose diamonds, but Brilliance.com only chooses to use the very best. These laboratories are the International Gemological Institute (IGI), the European Gemological Laboratory (EGL), the Hoge Raad voor Diamant (HRD), the American Gem Society and the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Each laboratory uses different methods, but all are considered top sources of certified loose diamonds.
The AGS grades diamonds on a 0-10 scale, with 10 being the worst and 0 being the best. Two different gemologists grade each stone, and the laboratory is known for having some of the industry’s highest ethical standards.
The HRD, located in Belgium, is well respected in the world of certified loose diamonds. The HRD requires that several gemologists grade each stone and the results must be identical before the stones can be considered certified diamonds. Additionally, the HRD has two more steps to ensure graders are completely unbiased. Firstly, gemologists never know the identity of the diamond’s owner. Also, senior gemologists randomly check the certification paperwork against the stone to make sure the diamonds are being accurately graded.
The EGL is also based in Belgium and is known industry-wide for setting new standards in certified loose diamonds. At one time, loose stones under one carat weight weren’t even considered for grading. Now, many of Brilliance.com’s certified loose diamonds are less than one carat, which shows the influence the EGL has in the diamond world. Recently, the EGL created the SI3 grade, which means a stone has visible inclusions under a 10x magnification.
The IGI ensures accurate grading of loose diamonds by using a team of gemologists to grade each stone and some of the most advanced equipment available. The equipment used by the IGI includes an electronic balance that can accurately measure the diamond’s weight to a ten-thousandth of a carat, 10x magnification loupes and high-powered microscopes. The entire team must agree before a stone can be graded.
The Best Of The Best - GIA Loose Diamonds
The GIA is considered the best of the best in the world of certified loose diamonds. The GIA was founded in 1931 and created the International Diamond Grading System in 1953. The International Diamond Grading System sets uniform criteria that graders use when certifying a diamond. Additionally, each GIA certified diamond is graded by two to five different gemologists to ensure accuracy.
Many different gemologists must agree on a diamond’s certification before it can be given a GIA grading report. The report will give the culet and girdle thickness, the weight, color, clarity, measure, polish, symmetry and even a diagram that tells the buyer exactly where any inclusions are located. The written report should be included when you buy certified diamonds.
Buying certified diamonds, whether loose or pre-set into a piece of jewelry, means you’ll be purchasing a beautiful, quality product that’s sure to provide years of enjoyment for the wearer. After reading up on the different laboratories that offer certified diamonds, you can rest assured that you’re buying diamonds from a reputable source when you shop at Brilliance.com.
A groom shares his tips on buying an engagement ring, including information on solitaire settings and other diamond engagement ring styles, diamond carat, diamond color, diamond clarity, and certified diamonds. As he explains in the video, “Planning a wedding has been an education. Everything from the ring buying to the holidays has been overwhelming, so I’ll try to help you with the things I’ve learned along the way.”
Customizing your beloved’s engagement ring is not only a growing trend, but also a process that can be quite enjoyable. When looking to give your loved one something uniquely customized, one has to look no further than examples already set by famous celebrities such as Princess Diana and Britney Spears who enjoyed custom engagement ring designs. Additionally, a custom engagement ring’s style can be inspired by the latest designers, including Jack Kelege, Harry Winston and Scott Kay, at a fraction of the price. At Brilliance.com we can help you design and create the perfect engagement ring as well as find the loose diamonds to complement your unique style.
Designing Your Own Custom Engagement Rings
In designing your own engagement rings you can create a ring that is truly one-of-a-kind. People often choose to design their own engagement rings due to not being able to find the perfect ring already on the market. Customizing your own ring allows you to integrate design elements you prefer within currently existing rings, combining them into your own unique style. If you want to keep your design exclusive, ask your jeweler whether they duplicate designs. This can assure you that your custom engagement ring for your beloved will never be re-created.
Custom Engagement Rings and Metals
Custom engagement rings can utilize standard metals such as Yellow Gold, White Gold and Platinum, but can also have more exotic metals such as Palladiam or Rose Gold. Palladium has been used as a precious metal in jewelry since 1939 and is an alternative to platinum or white gold. Its popularity is due to its naturally white properties, giving it no need for rhodium plating. Palladium is slightly whiter than platinum and about 12 percent harder.
Palladium is one of the three most popular metals used to make white gold alloys. Palladium-gold is a more expensive alloy than nickel-gold, but seldom causes allergic reactions. Nearly as rare as Palladium is Platinum. Platinum will not oxidize or decay over time and is naturally white in color. Its scarcity makes it highly prized, but its demanding nature also means that only the most skilled artisans can work with it. A single ounce of platinum not only requires exceptional effort to mine and refine, but it also involves weeks of expert handling to craft into a piece of jewelry.
If you like something more traditional, you may consider yellow or white gold. Gold is the metal that never goes out of style. Depending on your color preference, gold’s yellow tint may be a choice to inset your diamonds. If you love gold but prefer the color white, there is of course the option of white gold. The color of gold jewelry is determined by alloying other metals to pure 24kt gold. Yellow is the most natural, warm and sensual color. For a more elegant appearance, white gold is created by alloying pure gold with zinc, palladium and silver. Gold’s purity is measured in karats and 24kt gold is the most pure at 100%. This class of gold is rarely used in practical jewelry creation given its malleable nature, therefore 18kt gold, which is 75% pure and 14kt gold, which has almost 60% gold content are the most commonly used when creating fine jewelry.
Rose gold is a gold and copper alloy widely used for specialized jewelry due to its reddish color. The highest carat version of rose gold is also known as crown gold, which is 22 carat. An 18 carat rose gold may be made of 25% copper and 75% gold. For 18 carat rose gold, typically about 4% silver is added to the 75% gold and 21% copper to give a rose color. At Brilliance.com we can provide you with any of these types of metals to help you design engagement rings that will be treasured.
Finding The Perfect Loose Diamonds For Your Ring’s Design
Shopping for loose diamonds for your engagement ring requires only a little insight and information to ensure that you find the perfect diamond for the best price. Three critical criteria in evaluating how to choose the right loose diamonds are certification, the 4 C’s, and asking about diamond enhancements.
Certified loose diamonds are diamonds that have been evaluated by an independent lab where they are measured and weighed as well as evaluated for width, length, table and girdle sizes. Diamonds are also at this time graded and assigned a color and clarity grade. Brilliance.com prides itself in selling only certified loose diamonds.
The value of a diamond is based on the 4 C’s of the diamond industry: Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat Weight. Because these elements are critical to the value of a diamond, one wants to steer clear of what is called diamond enhancements. If diamonds have been enhanced, the seller of the diamond must inform you of this. Diamond enhancements include clarity treatments, laser drilling to remove inclusions, application of sealants to fill cracks and color treatments to improve a white diamonds’ color grade.
At Brilliance.com we realize that people who design their own custom engagement rings find that the flexibility and choice make it all worth the while. Armed with information and ideas, you can create the perfect ring for your beloved in no time; yet, the ring itself will be timeless in meaning.
Purchasing loose diamonds can be an investment for the future, so it’s best to choose diamonds that will hold their value in the long term. Although you may not be concerned about the resale value of your diamond at the time of purchase, you may be interested in selling your diamond or trading it in for an upgrade later. When buying a diamond, it is best to know what contributes to its quality and value to ensure that you make a sound purchase. An important factor to consider is whether to buy a natural diamond or a treated or enhanced diamond.
Natural Diamonds
Made from carbon, diamonds are the hardest known substance to man and are both a naturally occurring and manufactured abrasive. Natural diamonds form at high pressure high temperature conditions existing between 85 to 125 miles in the earth’s mantle. It takes a diamond 1 to 3 billion years to form beneath the earth. Once formed, a diamond travels to the earth’s surface via streams of molten rock. Throughout this process, natural diamonds acquire inclusions and or flaws within them that give them their own unique “fingerprint”.
Diamonds can be purchased in various sizes (carats), shapes, colors, and clarities. Natural diamonds are preferred over enhanced or treated diamonds because of their rarity and individual fingerprint. No two natural diamonds in the world are identical; each one is unique whether it’s because of its color or clarity or both combined.
Enhanced or Treated Diamonds
The term “enhanced” may sound like a positive feature, however, any diamond that has been enhanced has been treated and altered from its natural condition to artificially improve its appearance. If you decide to purchase an “enhanced” diamond, find out what kind of treatments have been used and how they might affect the value of the diamond. You should also be concerned with the long term care and appearance these enhancement treatments may have on the diamond, as enhancements sometimes result in discoloration or cracks in the diamond.
Enhanced diamonds, unlike high quality natural diamonds are natural diamonds that have had very specific treatments done to them to improve their characteristics, or their natural “flaws”. One type of treatment is laser drilling, which is a process that removes minor inclusions in a diamond to produce a clarity enhanced diamond. This process will typically create lines that resemble tiny trails, which are visible under side-view magnification. The laser may dissipate the imperfection, or chemicals may be injected into the resulting tunnel to bleach away the color. This is a more permanent process than fracture filling. However, it is highly debated whether or not this process damages the integrity of the diamonds, thereby decreasing the value of clarity enhanced diamonds in the long term.
Fracture filling is a treatment that adds a glass-like resin material to a natural diamond to close small cracks. Since the filling has the same optical illusion and refraction index as a natural diamond, it’s nearly impossible to detect the “repair” to the flaws. Fracture filling is not a permanent treatment as heat from future repairs, cleanings, and even sunlight can erode the filler or possibly darken its color, making the diamond less valuable as time goes on.
One other type of enhancement treatment is called HPHT (high-pressure high-temperature). HPHT is a treatment process that General Electric developed to permanently change the color of a diamond. First used to turn yellowish diamonds into “fancy” colored diamonds, this process is commonly used to turn yellow or brown diamonds into colorless diamonds to be sold at a significantly higher prices. HPHT involves putting a diamond into a pressure chamber and squeezing it at high pressure and high temperature for a short amount of time. Although some feel that this treatment should be considered a standard technique and claim that this process is just finishing the job that nature started, the Federal Trade Commission feels that it is an artificial process and requires that HPHT be disclosed. When HPHT treatment is detected in a diamond, the Gemological Institute of American (GIA) notes it on their reports as “HPHT Annealed” or “Artificially Irradiated” and insists that such diamonds be laser-inscribed with the same designation. A diamond that has been enhanced by GE will be inscribed with the symbol “GE POL”.
Detecting Enhanced or Treated Diamonds
There are different ways to detect if a diamond has had clarity enhancement treatments done to it. As mentioned above, laser drilling results in very thin, white lines or tunnels within the diamond that do not follow the pattern of the loose diamond. When fracture filling is used, the diamond may appear flawless when viewed from the top, but careful examination from the sides or other angles may reveal flashes of color that disrupt the pattern of facets in the diamond. Fracture filled diamonds may also have air bubbles trapped within them. Because these hints are only visible from the sides, it is very important to examine the diamond closely and preferable as a loose diamond rather than set into a diamond ring setting.
The Controversy About Enhanced or Treated Diamonds
Due to the controversial nature of diamond treatments within the industry, the CIBJO (World Jewelry Confederation), the United Stated Federal Trade Commission, and the GIA all require the disclosure of all diamond treatments at the time of sale. Without this disclosure, consumer confidence in diamond purchasing would be significantly damaged.
At Brilliance, we want our clients to be educated about different types of diamonds and diamond treatments so that they can feel confident when purchasing their future loose diamond investments. Most consumers and diamond professionals feel that natural diamonds should not be artificially treated in any significant manner. However, there are many differing opinions about the controversy of enhanced or treated diamonds vs. natural diamonds. As most gemological experts agree, Brilliance recommends purchasing natural certified diamonds and offers only 100% natural and conflict-free diamonds. We do not sell any loose diamonds or diamond jewelry that have been enhanced or treated in any way.
Shopping for loose diamonds as an investment or for the creation of a diamond ring is becoming a popular trend. However, diamonds are one of those big purchases that you want to make with insight and information. At Brilliance.com, we know it is important that you feel confident in your understanding of what makes a quality diamond before setting out to make your purchase, which is why we want to help you make a good decision the first time. This article will explore the three main criteria to help select the perfect certified diamonds: the 4 C’s, selecting certified diamonds and seeking natural stones.
Using The 4 C’s In Choosing Your Loose Diamonds
A common criteria in choosing loose diamonds includes what is called the 4 C’s. While there are other variables to consider before making your purchase, the 4 C’s include important classifications. Basically, the 4 C’s within the diamond industry are the standards and criteria used to judge the beauty and price/value of all loose diamonds. Most often, diamond shoppers look to color and clarity as the two most important factors when choosing a diamond. However the cut of the diamond will influence fire and brilliance much more than the other two C’s.
Cut - The cut of a diamond is not its shape, but the way it is cut from the original shape of the rough stone. The cut is evaluated by the location of the inclusions and flaws to be eliminated, the preservation of the weight, and the popularity of shape. When a diamond has a high quality cut, incident light will enter the stone through the table and crown, traveling toward the pavilion where it reflects from one side to the other before bouncing back out of the diamond’s table toward the observer’s eye.
Color - Color describes the overall tint of the diamond, from white to yellow. Color is graded on a letter scale from D to Z (D being the best).
Clarity - Clarity refers to the presence or absence of tiny imperfections (inclusions) within the stone, and/or on the surface of the stone. A diamonds’ clarity is graded on a scale from FL (Flawless) to I3 (Many Visible Inclusions), clarity describes the amount and location of “inclusions” in the diamond.
Carat Weight - Commonly confused with size, carat refers to the weight of the diamond when measured on a scale. One “Carat” is a unit of mass that is equal to 0.2 grams (200 milligrams or 3.086 grains) or 0.007 ounce.
Choosing Certified Diamonds Only
In searching for the perfect loose diamonds, finding those that are ‘certified’ is a must. Certified diamonds are diamonds that are labeled “certified,” which means they are guaranteed to have been sent to an independent gemology laboratory where they are then evaluated. The certifier will precisely measure characteristics of the diamond such as width, length, table and girdle size as well as all of the angles created by the cutter. From here, the diamond will be examined by a trained gemologist and assigned a color and clarity grade.
In examining color, the stone is compared to a graded control group of diamonds whose color is known. The gemologist will then assign a color based on the closest match to this control group, as well as using their own experience and judgment.
Next, the loose diamonds are then evaluated for clarity. Clarity is determined by examining the diamonds for inclusions and noting the number, location and size of each. The professional certifier will then assign a grade of clarity, which is again determined by the gemologist’s experience and interpretation of each clarity grade.
There are many gem labs in the industry that help in the process of creating certified diamonds. The most widely known and respected being the GIA (Gemological Institute of America), followed by AGL, EGL, IGI, and HRD.
Once the lab has completed the grading process, a certificate is issued describing the measurements, weight, color, clarity and other observations that were made. These certified diamonds are then passed on to the seller. At Briliance.com we pride ourselves in only selling loose diamonds that have been certified.
Beware Of Diamonds That Have Been Enhanced
In searching for the perfect loose diamonds, beyond making sure you are evaluating it according to the 4 C’s as well as buying only certified diamonds, there is a third element to be aware of — making sure your diamond hasn’t been enhanced. Diamond enhancements are specific treatments, performed on natural diamonds (usually those already cut and polished into gems), which are designed to improve the gemological characteristics and therefore the value of the stone in one or more ways.
Diamond enhancements include clarity treatments such as laser drilling to remove inclusions, application of sealants to fill cracks, color treatments to improve a white diamond’s color grade, and treatments to give fancy color to a white or off-color diamond.
The seller of your diamond must inform you whether the loose diamonds you are purchasing have been enhanced. This is due to regulations by the CIBJO and government agencies such as the United States Federal Trade Commission that explicitly require the disclosure of most diamond treatments at the time of sale.
At Brilliance.com we know that buying loose diamonds or certified diamonds doesn’t have to be a complicated process, just one done with forethought and knowledge. By taking into consideration these three main criteria, you can feel confident you have made a well thought out and intelligent purchase decision.
Many couples are now choosing to forego tradition and shop for diamond engagement rings together. Many men admit they’re secretly glad they can shop together and get some help determining which ring style is right for their bride. However, if you want your proposal to be a complete surprise, read on. We’ll go over some of the latest trends in diamond rings to help you choose an engagement ring you’ll both love looking at again and again.
Choosing A Special Style
Diamond rings come in a variety of styles, meaning there’s something to fit everyone’s personal style and taste. Luckily for shoppers, Brilliance.com has some of the most popular styles of diamond rings, including comfort fit solitaires, three diamond rings, halos, and vintage style diamond engagement rings.
The comfort fit solitaire diamond engagement ring is one of Brilliance.com’s most popular styles. These diamond rings have a single diamond set on a wide or thin band. The stone can be cut into a variety of shapes, but the most popular are the round brilliant and princess cut. Other popular diamond shapes include the heart, asscher, pear, cushion, marquise, oval, radiant, or trilliant.
Diamond rings with three stones have gained popularity in the past few years. The three stones are said to represent a relationship’s past, present, and future and are an ideal visual reminder of your love and devotion. These diamond engagement rings can have stones that are all the same size and shape or a large center stone with smaller outer stones. Some styles have stones all cut into the same shape or a princess or round cut center stone and triangle or baguette shaped outside stones.
Halo diamond engagement rings have gained popularity in recent years. These diamond rings have one large center stone surrounded by a set of smaller diamonds. The center stone in these diamond rings can be round, oval, heart shaped, marquise, princess, cushion, pear, or asscher cut. The outer stones can be set in a bevel or prong setting.
Vintage or antique diamond rings are ones that have been worn by someone else. They can be purchased from estate sales, antique jewelry shops, from an antique dealer, or can even be passed down through families. Because some couples are uncomfortable with the thought of using a previously worn ring as an engagement ring, it’s possible to find an antique looking ring that’s actually brand new.
Alternative Metals For Your Diamond Rings
At Brilliance.com, one of the most popular metals for diamond engagement rings is platinum. Platinum is an extremely durable metal and is a good choice for diamond rings because it is tarnish resistant. Platinum is a rarer metal though, which can make it a more expensive choice.
More people are turning to engagement rings made out of palladium and 18K white or yellow gold. Palladium is a relatively new metal on the jewelry market and looks a lot like platinum. The difference is that palladium is typically cheaper and lighter than platinum.
Brilliance.com has a large variety of diamond engagement rings in both 18K white and yellow gold. Both are good choices, but white gold can require a little more regular maintenance and upkeep than yellow gold. This is because white gold isn’t a naturally occurring substance and therefore shows wear a little quicker than yellow gold.
White gold maintenance is easy to do and should not be a deterrent if you love the look of white gold. You’ll need to simply take your jewelry in for redipping every once in a while. Redipping restores the pure, white look of the metal and any reputable jewelry store should be able to perform this service. Some stores will need to send your jewelry out for service, while others may be able to do this while you wait. No matter where you take it, make sure to ask how long you’ll be without your ring so you can leave plenty of time to get it back before your wedding.
Custom Diamond Rings
If you’re having problems choosing from the large selection at Brilliance.com, consider asking one of our personal shoppers to help you with a custom designed diamond ring. The buyer can choose from a variety of center stones and settings. Doing this means you can choose the exact diamond you want for your ring.
Choose A Center Stone First
Brilliance.com has a variety of ready to fill settings and loose center stones to choose from. If you choose a loose stone with a ready to fill setting, you definitely want a certified stone. Certified stones have already gone through a strict grading process and will come with paperwork outlining the stone’s cut, color, clarity, and carat grade. The most common diamond grading certification comes from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) but Brilliance.com also works with the American Gem Society, Hoge Raad voor Diamant, the European Gemological Laboratory, and the International Gemological Institute.
Certified diamonds are also easier to insure because a trained gemologist has already graded it. This means that you likely won’t have to have it appraised before insuring your jewelry - it’s already been done for you.
Diamond engagement rings are a symbol of your love that your bride will wear for the rest of her life and is often one of the first major purchases a couple makes. Before parting with your money, take a little time to research the different options and latest trends in jewelry design. No matter what you’re looking for, Brilliance.com’s personal shoppers can help you find something you’ll love.
At Brilliance, our team is comprised of diamond lovers who are always on the lookout for interesting stories about this rare, brilliant, and indestructible gem. As the universal symbol for love and loyalty, it’s no wonder the diamond is the basis of so many magical legends.
The first use of the diamond as an engagement ring gem was in the 15th century, when Archduke Maximilian presented a diamond engagement ring to Mary of Burgundy. Though the gem was a rarity then, it’s since become the customary stone used in modern engagement rings. Today, the diamond conjures images of rock-solid commitment and timeless romance. But in centuries past, the stone’s symbolism took on an entirely different spin.
Magical Superstitions
Thought to be splinters of fallen stars and the tears of gods, diamonds were worn by the Ancient Romans as amulets in battle to provide strength and courage. As an added measure of invincibility, Roman royalty nestled diamond-bedecked breastplates beneath their armor. They also donned the gem to ward off evil spirits and night demons, boosting the diamond’s potency by wearing it on the left side of the body.
Ancient Hindus believed that diamonds were formed by lightning strikes on rock and that they possessed the power to prevent lightning from reaching the ground. To ward off a lightning strike where you live, try performing the ancient Hindu ritual of touching the gemstone to each corner of your home.
Truth Detector
A symbol of dignity and wealth, diamonds were also believed to hold the magical power of detecting honesty. The gem was said to grow dim in the presence of a lie, and to shimmer brightly when the truth prevailed. (Do you think this would hold up in a modern-day courtroom?)
Medical Marvel
In ancient India, it was believed that diamonds would cure insanity and infections, and were even injected into the bladder to break up bladder stones. Ancient Hindus were very careful to use only the highest quality diamonds in their medicinal practices, as diamonds of inferior quality were thought to cause leprosy, lameness, or jaundice. They believed the bad luck surrounding inferior diamonds was powerful enough to prevent Indra, the king of the gods, from entering heaven.
Lethal Poison
In Europe, diamonds were pulverized into a powder and then sprinkled on food in an attempt to commit murder. During the 15th century, a Turkish sultan’s son was believed to have killed his father by lacing his food with diamond dust in order to assume the position of king. Swallowing rough diamonds was especially lethal, with the sharp edges lacerating the digestive tract and causing severe abdominal pain and a violent, torturous death. (It’s believed that diamond proprietors promoted this myth to discourage stealing diamonds by ingestion.)
- If a woman permits another woman to try on her engagement ring, the other woman will steal the heart of her betrothed
- Diamonds release their magical powers when given as a gift, and their powers diminish when traded for money
With all of the legends surrounding diamonds – along with their enduring beauty and brilliance – it is no surprise that this remarkable gemstone serves as the perfect symbol for enduring love.
If you’re a woman who wants to treat yourself to a trendy right hand ring, or a man looking to find that perfect engagement ring, arm yourself with a little knowledge about certified diamonds before you begin to shop. Knowing what to look for will save you valuable time and money and you’ll be able to focus on finding the perfect pre-set jewelry or loose diamonds.
Enhanced Vs. Natural Diamonds
Enhancing or treating a diamond occurs when the stone is considered flawed in some way. Some jewelers have discovered a way to enhance the look of a diamond by applying special treatments to remove the flaws. Diamonds can be treated by drilling with lasers to remove flaws, applying sealant to fill cracks or putting the diamond through a color treatment to improve the color grading. These artificial measures are controversial in the diamond industry because many feel it cheapens the beauty of natural stones.
Brilliance.com only sells natural diamonds. These diamonds are cut to maximize the stone’s sparkle, but have not been enhanced in any other way. Natural diamonds are more valuable than ones that have been enhanced or treated.
If you do decide to purchase an enhanced stone, the jeweler must disclose any enhancements that have been done. This is in accordance with Federal Trade Commission regulations, so beware if your jeweler doesn’t tell you a stone has been enhanced.
Certified Diamonds - What To Look For
Certified diamonds are ones that have been graded by a professional diamond certification laboratory. These can be sold as loose diamonds, but it’s also possible to find certified diamonds pre-set into ready to buy jewelry.
People who certify diamonds evaluate and record the stone’s cut, clarity, color and carat weight. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is the most well known diamond certification laboratory in the United States, but it’s not the only laboratory that can certify diamonds. Other certification labs are the American Gem Society (AGS), Hoge Raad vood Diamant (HRD), the European Gemological Laboratory (EGL) and the International Gemological Institute (IGI).
Many people mistakenly assume that all loose diamonds are certified diamonds, so make sure to ask to see the certification before making a major purchase. Certified diamonds may cost a little more, but you’ll be able to rest easy knowing that you’re getting your money’s worth. Certified diamonds from Brilliance.com are always sold with the proper certification documents so customers know which laboratory completed the certification.
Cut, Color, Clarity And Carat Weight - The Four C’s
Diamond education has come a long way in the past few years and now nearly everyone has heard of the four C’s. Cut, color, clarity and carat weight are the four different categories diamonds are graded on before they’re sold and all refer to the appearance of each diamond.
Simply put, cut is the shape of the stone. After loose diamonds are mined, each stone is cut in a way to maximize and show off the sparkle and fire diamonds are known for. Brilliance.com sells loose and certified diamonds cut into the most popular shapes, including round, princess, oval, emerald, asscher, marquise, radiant, heart and cushion. Round diamonds are the most popular throughout the world.
Each diamond’s color is graded on a letter scale from D to Z. A diamond that’s been rated as a D is the most valuable and rare because it is colorless. It takes a trained gemologist to detect the slight color variations found in stones rated E through H. Diamonds that are rated I through M may have a faint color tinge, but that doesn’t mean the stones can’t be beautiful and full of sparkle. Because of its dedication to beautiful, quality diamonds, Brilliance.com only sells certified diamonds rated D through M.
The third C stands for clarity. Clarity is graded on a scale from flawless to included. Many times, diamond inclusions are only visible to a trained gemologist and only certified diamonds in the last grade have inclusions visible to the naked eye. This means that it’s possible to find a beautiful stone even if you can’t afford one that’s been graded flawless.
Carat weight is the fourth C. The weight of each stone is measured in carats and is rounded to the nearest one hundredth of a carat. Larger stones are more expensive and valuable, but smaller diamonds can be beautiful, too. Brilliance.com sells diamonds ranging from 1/5 of a carat to up to 14 carats.
Commonly Found Types Of Diamonds
Engagement rings or other pieces of diamond jewelry can be sold pre-set or sold as loose diamonds with a custom setting. Whichever you choose can depend on your budget and preferences. Brilliance.com has a variety of pre-designed pieces, as well as separate settings and loose diamonds to meet everyone’s budget and taste.
Pre-designed jewelry can’t be changed so it’s important to find a piece that you love. However, just because these pieces are pre-designed doesn’t mean they can’t be created using certified diamonds so make sure to ask.
If the available choices of pre-designed rings or jewelry aren’t exactly what you’re looking for, consider buying loose diamonds and the settings separately. You’ll get to choose the setting and then be able to select from multiple loose diamonds. Many people assume this is a more expensive route, but that’s not always the case so be sure to compare prices. While many loose diamonds are certified diamonds, double check with your jeweler to make sure.
Buying certified or loose diamonds should be an enjoyable endeavor now that you’re armed with all the information needed to make an informed choice.
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