Buying An Engagement Ring | Boca Raton, FL

If you have found the person you want to grow old with and it's time to find the perfect engagement ring... this article will help you understand what to expect during this exciting time in your life. There are many things to keep in consideration when shopping for an engagement ring and we will do our best to outline them.

Set a Budget 

      Diamonds much like cars, boats, and homes have many different price points so have a set budget in mind. Setting a budget that fits your financial situation is very important. 'Brides' survey found the average amount spent on engagement rings in 2018 was $7,829. That being said, for most people, buying a ring is one of the largest purchases aside from a home and vehicle. Avoid sales pressure and make sure you are comfortable with the amount you are spending and what it will buy. 

Eliminate Some Of The Guesswork

    We recommend you get some ideas before going on your engagement ring search. Pay attention to your partners style and jewelry preferences. Knowing whether they wear white gold or yellow gold, or whether they prefer simple or extravagant designs are all important factors. Let your partner's social media pages guide you, they may give you extra hints about their style and taste. Photos of their dream ring are probably already on their Pinterest board or Instagram.  Don't be afraid to ask their best friends or family members to help with your search. Your partner may prefer a ring with a halo opposed to one that is just a solitaire diamond. They may prefer a pear shaped stone over a round brilliant diamond. All of these things will make a difference during your search. 

Know The 4 C's

    The 4 C's are gradings that every diamond has that determines their quality and price. These 4 C's are color, cut, clarity, and carat weight and are normally shown on a report. We recommend and only sell diamonds certified by G.I.A (Gemological Institute Of America). Although there are many other labs, G.I.A is known as the most accredited grading laboratory with strict standards for diamonds and color stones. 

• Color is how white or yellow a diamond is. Diamonds range from D being the whitest and completely colorless to Z being yellowish brown. Diamonds begin to have a yellow hue when nearing I-J color and get more yellow as they go down to Z in the color chart. The color evaluation of most gem-quality diamonds is based on the absence of color. A chemically pure and structurally perfect diamond has no hue, like a drop of pure water, and consequently, a higher value.

• Cut is crucial to the stone’s final beauty and value and of all the diamond 4C's . It is the most complex and technically difficult to analyze. Cut is measured on a scale from "Excellent" to "Poor", with very good, good, and fair in between. A diamond with a "Excellent" or "Very Good" cut allows the stone to reflect and refract light properly causing a beautiful shimmering effect. Precise artistry and workmanship are required to fashion a stone so its proportions, symmetry and polish deliver the magnificent return of light only possible in a diamond.

• Clarity is also very important when considering purchasing a diamond. Clarity refers to marks on the surface (blemishes) and imperfections inside of the diamond (inclusions). Evaluating diamond clarity involves determining the number, size, relief, nature, and position of these characteristics, as well as how these affect the overall appearance of the stone. While no diamond is perfectly pure, the closer it comes, the higher its value. Like color and cut, clarity is measured on a scale from "Flawless" being the rarest and clearest to "I3" being very included and is often visible to the naked eye. Normally our clients opt for stones that are clean to the naked eye, but still have some inclusions visible with a microscope. This is normally the VS1-SI1 clarity range. 
• Carat Weight is often referred to as the "size" of the diamond. The more a diamond weighs the higher the carat weight will be. Each carat can be subdivided into 100 ‘points.’ This allows very precise measurements to the hundredth decimal place. A jeweler may describe the weight of a diamond below one carat by its ‘points’ alone. For instance, a jeweler may refer to a diamond that weighs 0.25 carats as a ‘twenty-five pointer.’ Diamond weights greater than one carat are expressed in carats and decimals. A 1.08 carat stone would be described as ‘one point oh eight carats.’ Some people consider carat weight to be a very important factor, but it should not have as much impact on your decision as the other 3 C's.

Find A Jeweler You Trust

     This is a very important step of the process when it comes to getting what you pay for. Now that you are armed with the information you need to buy a diamond, you have to search for a source. Look for a jeweler with positive reviews and a good reputation in the local community. A good jeweler will have your best interest in mind and offer you many options that fit within your budget while giving you superb quality. When buying a diamond make sure you understand what makes your stone unique. An educated jeweler will not only explain the 4 C's of diamond quality to you, but will be able to demonstrate the differences between apparently similar stones. 

You can rest assured that you're in good hands at Devon's Diamonds & Decor in Boca Raton, FL. We will work with you step-by-step to create the engagement ring of your dreams.  Contact us at (561)430-6988