FOR THE BRIDE: Baubles and Baubles Galore
Adore this cuff by Doloris Petunia. Doloris Petunia is a big fav of The Bridal Wishlist.
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Buying a diamond ring is one of the biggest investments you'll ever make, so get the most bling for your buck.
To complete this How-To you will need:
Input from the bride and loved ones
Knowledge of the four C's: carat, color, clarity, and cut
A grading report
Negotiating skills
Membership in a warehouse store
Step 1: Suss out her taste
Casually comment on someone else's engagement ring; that should prompt her to describe what she likes. Or ask her loved ones for advice.
Step 2: Consider her personality
Take into account her personality and the jewelry she already owns. Does she like modern jewelry, or does she prefer antique and estate pieces? Does she like showy baubles or simple stuff? Is she a traditionalist, or does she strive to be unique?
Step 3: Pick a shape
Pick a shape. Choices include round, square, radiant, emerald, pear, marquise, princess, cushion, Asscher, and heart-shaped. The princess and radiant cuts are more forgiving of flaws than the emerald and the Asscher.
Tip: Beware of buying shapes other than round ones online. Many, like pear and marquise, are prone to certain cutting flaws that are obvious to the naked eye but not necessarily evident from the information contained in the grading report provided by the seller.
Step 4: Think about carat size
Think about the size of the diamond you want—or, more to the point, the size she finds acceptable! Diamonds are measured in carats, one carat being about the size of a green pea.
Step 5: Consider color
Consider color. Color is graded from D (colorless) to Z, with colorless being the most valuable. Diamonds graded N and below are noticeably yellow.
Step 6: Decide on clarity
Decide on the level of clarity you are willing to pay for. The choices range from FL (flawless) to I3 (included). Almost all diamonds have flaws, or inclusions; the trick is to find one whose flaws are least visible to the naked eye.
Step 7: Choose your cut
"Cut" refers to the reflective quality of the diamond. Cut grades range from "ideal," assigned to diamonds that reflect the most light, to "fair and poor," for diamonds that reflect only a small proportion of light.
Tip: The cut is perhaps the most important of the four Cs. A good cut, which is determined by the angles and finish, is what gives a diamond its brilliance.
Step 8: Consider the setting
Consider the setting, which determines the center stone's height. Choices include prong, bezel, channel, pavé, cluster, and flush. A cluster setting, with many small diamonds around the main stone, can result in a tall ring; a flush setting provides a more understated look.
Step 9: Pick a band
Choose which metal you want for the band. Platinum is the most expensive but also the most popular because of its durability. Other choices include white gold, yellow gold, titanium, and palladium.
Tip: White gold needs to be replated every few years to retain its polish.
Step 10: Get a grading report
Before buying a ring, ask the jeweler for the grading report—a certificate filed by an independent gemological lab that confirms the carats, color, clarity, and cut. If the jeweler says he can't or won't get one, walk away.
Tip: Do some comparison shopping. Sometimes a warehouse store can offer the same quality jewelry as a retail shop, at deep discounts.
Step 11: Haggle
Don't be afraid to haggle: You're expected to negotiate when buying an engagement ring. Most jewelry stores mark up their diamonds by a whopping 100 percent, so there's plenty of wiggle room—especially if the salesperson's choice is between a small commission and none at all.
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