The Four C’s of Diamond Ring Classification

When shopping for just about anything in this world, there are certain things you know or learn to look for to ensure you are getting the best product for your money. If you’re buying new clothes, for example, you check to see what types of fabric the item is made from, where it was made, and which designer it was made by. These are all factors that not only affect the price of the clothes, but often the quality of the clothes as well.

If you are shopping for a new diamond ring, on the other hand,  it’s worth familiarising yourself with the Four C’s of diamond ring classification. These are the basic guidelines that are relied upon universally to rate the four key variations that can be found in diamonds and knowledge of these guidelines can come in useful when shopping for a new diamond ring.

Cut

The first of the Four C’s of diamond ring classification is the cut of the diamond. While you will often hear the shape of the stone in a diamond ring referred to as its cut, as in a Round Cut or Princess Cut diamond ring, that is not the same as the cut of the ring as it relates to the Four C’s.

The Four C’s cut of a diamond ring refers, instead, primarily to the way the stone in a diamond ring has been faceted and its general proportions. The way a diamond has been cut or faceted can significantly affect the overall look of the diamond itself. A properly faceted diamond ring will shine and sparkle with the smallest amount of light, as the individual cuts to the surface of the diamond will create the perfect reflections and refractions of light to give the diamond ring its beloved brilliance. A poorly faceted diamond ring, on the other hand, will seem rather dull and flat in comparison.

Colour

The second of the Four C’s refers to the colour of the stone in the diamond ring. As the name implies, this is the rating used to describe or classify the stone in the diamond ring on a scale from colourless to yellow. Naturally, the closer to colourless a diamond is, the higher the price tag associated with it. Diamonds are graded for their colour on an alphabetical scale that ranges from D to Z. A ‘D’ rated diamond is considered perfectly colourless, while E and F rated diamonds are described as colourless as well. Diamond rings with stones graded G through J will fall into the ‘near colourless’ category, while those rated K through M are categorised as ‘faint yellow’.

Just to clarify, when you see a diamond ring advertised with a fancy yellow diamond, this does not mean it bears a stone that is rated at the bottom of the scale. Diamonds given Four C ratings in the ‘yellow’ category are generally considered to be of lower quality. Fancy yellow diamonds, on the other hand, are created by abnormalities present during the diamond formation and their rarity actually makes them extremely valuable.

Clarity

When we talk about the clarity of a diamond ring, as it relates to the Four C’s, we are describing the rating that outlines how flawless the stone itself is. As you’ve probably guessed, a flawless diamond ring is more valuable than a flawed one, however, there are a number of levels of clarity that can be given to a diamond ring to describe the exact level of inclusions or imperfections the diamond may have.

Six basic classifications are used in regards to a diamond’s clarity, with additional classifications within the six groupings to break the level of detail down even further. The first and most prized rating is flawless. This means no visible blemishes are on or in the diamond, even under magnification. The next step down on the rating scale is ‘internally flawless’, followed by three variations used to describe diamonds with small inclusions or flaws. The lowest rated diamonds are graded as ‘imperfect’.

Carat Weight

The final of the Four C’s, and possibly the one that most consumers are readily familiar with, is the carat weight of a stone. While some people think that the carat weight of a stone refers simply to the size of the diamond, it is actually a rating based on the weight of the stone and is a fairly straightforward grading. A carat is equal to 0.2 grams. This means that a two carat diamond, for example, will weigh 0.4 grams and a ½ carat diamond would weigh 0.1 grams. Some jewellers may also refer to the weight of a diamond by referring to ‘points’. A carat is the equivalent of 100 points, therefore, a half carat diamond may also be described as a 50 point diamond.

If you want to start familiarising yourself with diamonds, pop over to the Purely Diamond store and have a browse. And don’t forget, we’re only too happy to help guide you into choosing the right diamond for you or that someone special you are planning on buying a diamond for.

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Flavia Cacace and her Purely Diamonds engagement ring in Hello! Magazine

We are massive fans of Strictly Come Dancing at Purely Diamonds, so it was lovely to be able to create an engagement ring for one of its stars, Flavia Cacace. We created the ring at the behest of her now fiance, actor Jimi Mistry, so he could propose to Flavia on a romantic break at New Year.

Purely Diamonds square-shaped diamond engagement ring set in platinum.

We hope you’ll agree that the square-shaped diamond engagement ring set in platinum is really rather wonderful!

Of course news of Flavia and Jimi’s engagement broke in January of this year, but it was lovely for us to see Flavia proudly wearing her Purely Diamonds engagement ring in some rather beautiful shots of her in this week’s edition of Hello!

Flavia Cacace wearing Purely Diamonds platinum engagement ring

You can check out a little snippet from Flavia’s interview with Hello! magazine online, but of course to read the full interview and see the photos in all their glory you’ll need to whizz out and grab a copy of the magazine!

If you are inspired by Jimi’s choice of engagement ring for Flavia, you must pay a visit to the Purely Diamonds boutique, where we’re pretty confident you’ll be able to find the perfect engagement ring for your big proposal!

And don’t forget, if you need a helping hand or advice on how to choose the perfect engagement ring, we are only to pleased to be of assistance, just drop us a line and we will make it our mission to create an engagement ring that will make your heart dance!

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Congratulations to Joey Essex and Sam Faiers on their engagement!

Big congratulations to Joey Essex and Sam Faiers from The Only Way Is Essex on their engagement! What a sparkler of an engagement ring! And what a tear jerker of a moment when Joey shakily got down on bended knee. If you missed the big moment, catch up on all the details with the Joey and Sam engagement quiz on the TOWIE website.

Guys, if this has got you all inspired to wow your fiancée-to-be with something similar to the ring bling that Sam is now sporting, or girls, if you want to hint to your man that something like Sam’s ring could be just the thing to get you to say yes…. here’s something from the Purely Diamonds collection to make your heart beat as fast as Sam’s when she first set her eyes on her new sparkly diamond engagement ring.
Joey Essex Engagement Ring, Sam Faiers Engagement Ring

This cheeky little engagement ring is in platinum with a princess cut centre stone and round brilliant cut diamond stones on the shoulders. It’s right on trend for 2013 and a firm favourite with our customers.

As with all Purely Diamonds rings you can customise it to make sure it’s your dream ring. Just pop along to the Purely Diamonds boutique to see how.

And don’t forget, you don’t have to fly the love of your life all the way to Dubai to propose – not that you’ll be able to find Dubai all that easily if you take Joey and Sam’s word that Dubai is on the edge of the Atlantic – When it comes to proposals the ring really is the thing. Get that right and the only way is marriage!

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Spotlight on Trendsetting Diamond Rings-Fashion For Eternity (cont. 2)

We’re currently turning the spotlight on some gorgeous eternity style diamond rings from the Purely Diamond’s collection that make the perfect fashion accessory, without the need for any specific relationship or family status to have to be affiliated with them.  We’re already seen two stunning eternity style diamond rings that fit the bill perfectly, now, let’s take a closer look at one last eternity style diamond ring design that truly gives that high fashion look, making it the perfect addition to your fine jewellery collection.

Today’s featured eternity style diamond ring has a decidedly more abstract and asymmetrical design that any of the others we have taken a look at recently.  Of course, that is also what gives this eternity style diamond ring such a strong appeal for consumers looking to add to their fine jewellery collection simply for fashion’s sake.  The diamond ring starts with a beautiful high gloss white gold foundation, providing an affordable as well as beautiful backdrop to the myriad of diamonds that are to be set within it.

While classic eternity style diamond ring designs feature one or more rows of diamonds set in straight lines across the band of the diamond ring, today’s featured eternity style diamond ring features a number of diamonds in assorted sizes set in a seemingly random scattered pattern.  This gives the eternity style diamond ring a fun and flirty modern edge design that is sure to please.  Each stone is held in place with a stunning rob over setting which encircles each diamond to further accentuate the beautiful round cut of the stones and give the eternity style diamond ring a more textured design.  As you can see by the finished shape of the profile, this particular eternity style diamond ring is meant to stand on it’s own and it’s bold design and unique shape allow it to do just that with both style and grace.

And there you have it, three stunning eternity style diamond rings from the Purely Diamond’s collection that would make the perfect fashion accessory and a sparkling new addition to your fine jewellery collection.

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Spotlight on Trendsetting Diamond Rings-Fashion For Eternity (cont.)

Yesterday we took a look at a glamorous and eye catching eternity style diamond ring that perfectly exemplifies why more and more women are choosing this particular design of diamond ring to wear simply for fashion’s sake, without the need for any particular relationship or family status to justify the design.  As you remember, this one of of the bolder eternity style diamond rings that Purely Diamond’s has to offer and featured a total of five rows of stunning round brilliant cut diamonds in total.  As we promised, today we are going to turn the spotlight to a slightly more subtle design, ideal for the woman wanting to show her love of diamonds in an eternity style diamond ring while making just a slightly quieter statement than yesterday’s showcase piece.  Don’t fret, however, as today’s featured eternity style diamond ring still presents quite a stunning profile that is sure to turn heads wherever you go.

Today our spotlight turns to a stunning eternity style diamond ring that showcases the beauty of both princess cut and round brilliant cut diamonds in a single diamond ring design.  Like yesterday’s showcased eternity style diamond ring, today’s diamond ring features diamonds which have been set on  both the top as well as the sides of the eternity style diamond ring, giving it a stunning profile from any angle.  The top row of diamonds is expertly faceted into the classic square princess cut shape, well beloved for their ability to create a seamless row of diamonds, particularly in an eternity style diamond ring design.  On either side of this stunning row or diamonds lie another row of round brilliant cut stones, giving the eternity style diamond ring a glamorous design when viewed from the side, an angle normally created to show nothing more than a plainer precious metal facing.  While this eternity style diamond ring still offers a stunning and elegant design, it also presents a slightly slimmer profile than yesterday’s featured diamond ring, giving it a slightly more subtle appearance.

Check back tomorrow as we take a look at one final eternity style diamond ring from the Purely Diamond’s collection that works perfectly as a beautiful fashion accessory that deserves to be a part of your fine jewellery collection.

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Spotlight on Trendsetting Diamond Rings-Fashion For Eternity

When it comes to eternity style diamond rings, most designers and retailers will tell you that the particular style of diamond ring in question is generally associated with either bridal jewellery or used to symbolize a child or children.  Of course, we’ve recently seen that one of the top diamond ring trends for 2013 involves the consumer’s desire to think outside the box when it comes to which styles of diamond rings are ideal or accepted for which occasions.  Because of this growing trend, more and more women are choosing to treat themselves or are being treated by one they love, to the beauty and radiance of an eternity style diamond ring simply for the sake of fashion itself.

Today’s eternity style ring is one that truly exemplifies the beauty of both the diamond ring design, as well as the sheer magnificence of diamonds themselves in an ultra-luxurious ring that will have others green with envy.  This bold and daring eternity style diamond ring design starts with a classic white gold foundation, giving the dazzling diamonds a demure mirror-like surface to perfectly accentuate and enhance their already brilliant beauty.  At the centre of this breath taking eternity style diamond ring is not one, but three dazzling rows of round brilliant cut diamonds which span the entire circumference of the band.  This gives the diamond ring a very wide profile, making it ideal for the diamond lover who wants to make a strong and beautiful statement with her jewellery.  Of course, the eternity style diamond ring is even further glorified by the additional of two extra rows of diamonds, one set in either of the side facings of the band itself.  This ensures the diamond ring will sparkle magnificently from any angle it is viewed from, making it the perfect eternity style diamond ring to truly be worn simply for fashion’s sake alone.

As we said from the start, this eternity style diamond ring is not for the faint of heart.  If you happen to be looking for something a little more subdued then check back tomorrow as we present another stunning eternity style diamond ring from the Purely Diamond’s collection.

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Spotlight on Trendsetting Diamond Rings-I Do, Eternity Style (cont. 2)

As we’ve seen recently, one of the hottest trends on the diamond ring market for 2013 in both the fine jewellery and bridal jewellery sectors is the growing push for outside of the box thinking when it comes to what styles of diamond rings are considered appropriate for which occasions.  This has become very apparent as more and more brides choose to go with a beautiful and glamorous eternity style diamond ring in place of the more traditional plain wedding band to complete their bridal jewellery sets.  Right now, we are in the process of taking a look at a few of the breathtaking eternity style diamond rings available form the Purely Diamond’s collection that would make the perfect addition to your unique bridal jewellery set.

Like the other diamond rings we’ve seen so far, today’s featured eternity style diamond ring starts with a stunning white gold foundation.  It’s high gloss mirror-like finish creates the perfect backdrop for the dazzling diamonds that will be set within it while also providing an easy to care for finish that will hold up to a great deal of wear.  Of course, this particular eternity style diamond ring can also be customised with either a luxurious platinum design or a warm yellow gold setting, making it as visually versatile as it is beautiful.

The sparkle and shine in this stunning eternity style diamond ring is abundant and radiates from a number of beautifully faceted baguette cut diamonds.  For an added design element, the rectangular stones have been set into the eternity style diamond ring in a horizontal fashion, giving the diamond ring a more unique appearance.  The stones are held in place with a beautiful bar setting which gives the stones a secure fit while also added to this diamond ring’s bold design.

If you are intrigued by the idea of thinking outside of the box when it comes to diamond ring design and purpose and are looking for an eternity style diamond ring to give your bridal jewellery set the edge and elegance it deserves then this beautiful white gold baguette eternity style diamond ring might be exactly what you need to make your bridal jewellery set complete.

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Spotlight on Trendsetting Diamond Rings-I Do, Eternity Style (cont.)

Welcome back to our spotlight series featuring stunning diamond rings from the Purely Diamonds collection that are frequently used for purposes not traditionally associated with their particular style or design.  Right now, we’re looking at the growing trend behind brides opting for gorgeous eternity style diamond rings in place of traditional plain precious metal wedding bands. We’ve already seen one stunning eternity style diamond ring that would serve as the perfect addition to any bridal jewellery set, now, let’s take a look at another stunning piece.

Today’s spotlight turns to a magnificent eternity style diamond ring that serves as the perfect stand in or upgrade to a classic plain wedding ring.  Today’s featured diamond ring starts with a beautiful white gold foundation.  As you may know, white gold diamond rings are not only practical, as they offer a durable and easy to care for finish, they are also quite stunning, with their high gloss mirror-like shine that perfectly enhances and accentuates the diamonds set within it.

Naturally, being an eternity style diamond ring, this particular pieces features a full row of stunning round brilliant cut diamonds that extend the entire circumference of the band.  Each stone is carefully hand selected and then placed securely in the eternity style diamond ring with a classic claw or prong setting, offering a firm hold with a beautiful profile.  Either side of the row of diamonds has been intricately detailed with a small bead like design worked onto the white gold band to add an even greater level of exquisite beauty.

This stunningly beautiful eternity style diamond ring offers a flat side profile, allowing it to easily rest flush against a similar sided diamond eternity ring, making it easier than ever to create a one of a kind bridal jewellery set that is as picture perfect as can be.

Check back tomorrow as we take a look at one more exquisite eternity style diamond ring from the Purely Diamonds collection that will make it perfectly clear why more and more brides are choosing this particular style for their outside the box bridal jewellery sets.

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Spotlight on Trendsetting Diamond Rings-I Do, Eternity Style

Another top trend hitting the diamond ring market focuses more on the specific uses for certain diamond ring designs rather than the design elements themselves.  This is because 2013 has been predicted to be the year that more and more consumers start thinking outside of the box when it comes to traditional diamond ring design uses versus the various occasions they are now being used for.  In other words, more consumers are choosing diamond rings based on what appeals to them visually rather than simply relying on what styles tend to be most associated with what life events.

The first ring we want to showcase is a stunning eternity style diamond ring from the Purely Diamonds collection.  As we mentioned earlier in our in-depth look at this particular trend, more and more brides are choosing eternity style diamond rings to wear in place of the traditional plain wedding band in their bridal jewellery set.  One look at today’s featured eternity style diamond ring and you’ll begin to see why.

Today’s featured ring is a magnificent full eternity style diamond ring in a classic white gold setting.  White gold is not only a very practical precious metal choice for bridal jewellery and fine jewellery in general, it is also the more affordable of the three common white toned precious metals on the diamond rings market.  The true beauty of this particular eternity style diamond ring however, lies in the stunningly breath taking channel of princess cut diamonds which have been set into the entire circumference of the diamond ring itself.  The square cut stones not only create a very linear visual aesthetic, they also give the illusion of a seamless row of fire and sparkle.  The edges of the eternity style diamond ring are fashioned into a beautiful flat profile, making it easier than ever to coordinate this eternity style diamond with with a similar profile diamond engagement ring for a cohesive bridal jewellery set.

Check back tomorrow as we take a look at yet another stunning eternity style diamond ring from the Purely Diamonds collection that will give your bridal jewellery set the brilliance it deserves.

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Spotlight on Trendsetting Diamond Rings-Shoulder Stones (cont. 2)

Welcome back to our spotlight series on some of the stunning top selling diamond rings from Purely Diamonds that take advantage of the beauty of shoulder stones to help boost the diamond ring’s visual impact without increasing it’s overall price too dramatically.  Since one of the top trends in diamond rings for 2013 focuses on getting the best bang for your buck from your new diamond ring, getting a diamond ring with shoulder stones is a great way to be trend setting as well as practical.

Today’s featured diamond ring is designed to be as eye catching as it is affordable and presents a uniquely designed profile that is sure to please.  The diamond ring starts with a stunning white gold band.  As you already know, white gold is not only the most affordable of the three widely used silver toned precious metals on the fine jewellery and bridal jewellery markets, as compared to palladium and platinum, it is also an extremely durable precious metal that provides an easy to care for maintenance routine as well as a stunning mirror-like gloss that further enhances and optimizes the natural sparkle and fire of the diamonds themselves.

The focal point of this diamond ring comes from a number of features and design elements combined, rather than a single stone or element.  At the centre of the diamond ring is a stunning round brilliant cut diamond that, while not necessarily massive in size, still makes a beautiful statement.  In an effort to give this diamond ring a unique design twist, the central stone is held in place with a rub over setting in a stunning bar like frame on either side.  Of course, to give this budget friendly diamond ring even more sparkle and shine without necessarily hefting up the price too high, it has also been graced with two rows of round brilliant cut diamonds on each side of the central stone.  These shoulder stones are held in place beautifully and securely with a classic channel style setting.  All of these elements combine in perfect balance to create an eye catching diamond ring that is sure to catch the eye and melt the heart.

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