Wedding & Engagement Rings

Many people are confused about how diamonds are priced. The best explanation is that asking for the price of a diamond is like asking for the price of a house. A real estate agent can't quote you a price for a house without knowing its size, condition, location, etc. This process is the same one used when buying a diamond. A diamond's beauty, rarity, and price depend on the interplay of all the 4Cs-cut, clarity, carat, and colour.
The 4Cs are used throughout the world to classify the rarity of diamonds. Diamonds with the combination of the highest 4C ratings are more rare and, consequently, more expensive. No one C is more important than another in terms of beauty and it is important to note that each of the 4Cs will not diminish in value over time.
Once you have established those 4C characteristics that are most important to you, a jeweller can then begin to show you various options with quoted prices.

TYPES
Six of the most common diamond shapes are oval, marquise, brilliant, pear, emerald and heart shape. Once you've purchased your ring, have it included in your homeowners or renters insurance policy. Be sure to have your wedding photographer take close up pictures of your rings. Keep a copy of the photo with your other valuables in case something should happen to your rings. One of the first things an insurance adjuster will ask is if you have a photograph of the ring so that they can assess the current value.

CARAT
Refers to the weight of a diamond.
Carat is often confused with size even though it is actually a measure of weight. One carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams. One carat can also be divided into 100 "points." A .75 carat diamond is the same as a 75-points or 3/4 carat diamond.
A 1-carat diamond costs exactly twice the price of a half-carat diamond, right? Wrong. Since larger diamonds are found less frequently in nature, which places them at the rarest level of the Diamond Quality Pyramid, a 1-carat diamond will cost more than twice a 1/2-carat diamond (assuming colour, clarity and cut remain constant).
Cut and mounting can make a diamond appear larger (or smaller) than its actual weight. So shop around and talk to your jeweller to find the right diamond and setting to optimize the beauty of your stone.

CLARITY
Refers to the presence of inclusions in a diamond.
Inclusions are natural identifying characteristics such as minerals or fractures, appearing while diamonds are formed in the earth. They may look like tiny crystals, clouds or feathers.
To view inclusions, jewellers use a magnifying loupe. This tool allows jewellers to see a diamond at 10x its actual size so that inclusions are easier to see. The position of inclusions can affect the value of a diamond. There are very few flawless diamonds found in nature, thus these diamonds are much more valuable.
Inclusions are ranked on a scale of perfection, known as clarity, which was established by the Gemmological Institute of America (GIA). The clarity scale, ranging from F (Flawless) to Included (I), is based on the visibility of inclusions at a magnification of 10x.
Some inclusions can be hidden by a mounting, thus having little effect on the beauty of a diamond. An inclusion in the middle or top of a diamond could impact the dispersion of light, sometimes making the diamond less brilliant.
The greater a diamond's clarity, the more brilliant, valuable and rare it is-and the higher it is on the Diamond Quality Pyramid.

COLOR
Refers to the degree to which a diamond is colourless.
Diamonds range in colour from icy winter whites to warm summer whites. Diamonds are graded on a colour scale established by the Gemmological Institute of America (GIA) which ranges from D (colourless) to Z.
Warmer coloured diamonds (K-Z) are particularly desirable when set in yellow gold. Icy winter whites (D-J) look stunning set in white gold or platinum.
Colour differences are very subtle and it is very difficult to see the difference between, say, an E and an F. Therefore, colours are graded under controlled lighting conditions and are compared to a master set for accuracy.
Truly colourless stones, graded D, treasured for their rarity, are highest on the Diamond Quality Pyramid. Colour, however, ultimately comes down to personal taste. Ask a jeweller to show you a variety of colour grades next to one another to help you determine your colour preference.

CUT
Refers to the angles and proportions of a diamond.

Based on scientific formulas, a well-cut diamond will internally reflect light from one mirror-like facet to another and disperse and reflect it through the top of the stone. This results in a display of brilliance and fire, thereby placing well-cut diamonds higher on the Diamond Quality Pyramid than deep or shallow-cut diamonds. Diamonds that are cut too deep or too shallow lose or leak light through the side or bottom, resulting in less brilliance and ultimately, value.
Cut also refers to shape-round, square, pear, or heart for example. Since a round diamond is symmetrical and capable of reflecting nearly all the light that enters, it is the most brilliant of all diamond shapes and follows specific proportional guidelines. Ask a jeweller to find out more about these guidelines.
Non-round shapes, also known as "fancy shapes," will have their own guidelines to be considered well-cut.

What to Spend - Diamond Buyer's Guide
When you start to think about buying a diamond-and the love it will symbolize-you naturally want the best you can afford and a beautiful stone you will treasure forever. Diamonds can be found in a range of price-and you're certain to find one within the Diamond Quality Pyramid that suits your taste and what you plan to spend. If you're about to buy a Diamond Engagement Ring, you may want to consider spending the commonly accepted guideline of two months' salary. But it's up to you to settle on a diamond that will truly represent your deepest emotions and the promise for the future you will share.
Finding a Quality Jeweller
The 5th C: Confidence
A good jeweller is the first step to a smart diamond purchase. To find a jeweller you can trust, ask your family and friends for recommendations. Your jeweller should be knowledgeable about diamonds and help you feel comfortable making this important purchase.
Insurance
Ever lost a piece of jewellery or had a piece of diamond jewellery stolen? If you own valuable pieces of diamond jewellery, like your Diamond Engagement Ring, you may want to consider insuring them for added protection.
To understand how to insure your diamond, talk to your insurance agent to discuss your options for adding jewellery to your existing homeowner's or renter's insurance. Many insurance companies allow you to itemize your jewellery within your policy. Be sure to read the fine print, as some policies limit the value for jewellery line items.

COUPLES SAY 'I DO' WITH WEDDING-RING TATTOOS

Diamonds are forever and gold wedding bands symbolize eternity, but some couples are opting for a truly permanent symbol of their unity: wedding band tattoos.
Both men and women are getting tiny strings of entwined flowers or leaves and simple bands tattooed onto their left ring fingers.
Another popular style spells out the beloved's name across the top of the ring finger in small letters. Five or six letters, max. ("You're not going to get Jacqueline' on a finger," one tattoo artist said. Tattoo artists say clients have always requested wedding ring tattoos, but as tattoos have spread into the mainstream in the 90s, the demand for rings has zoomed (with a big boost from rocker Tommy Lee and actress Pamela Anderson).
Reasons for getting them are practical as well as romantic.
Steve Schultz of Studio Skin Works in Sydney said he recently tattooed one on a construction worker who takes off his wedding band on the job for safety. Aaron of Skin Ink in Melbourne said he applied one recently to a guy who'd lost his ring.
Not all artists do them. Some are reluctant because tattoos don't stand up well to the constant wear and tear that the hand endures. And the payoff is relatively small - $50 to$75 compared with $150 or so for a 2-inch butterfly.