Shopping for your engagement ring should be fun and exciting, but can often be confusing and stressful – especially if you’re not sure what to look for!
Trawling through jewelry shops trying on an endless number of designs (all pretty), examining a bunch of very similar looking diamonds (all sparkly) and feeling the pressure to make a purchase on the spot (all pricey) can leave you overwhelmed and empty-handed.
So why not consider buying your diamond engagement ring online? Our guest author and expert jeweler Stefano Navi knows a thing or two about that! Here they share their insights on the difference between lab-grown and mined diamonds, what you really need to know about cut, carat and clarity, and the services on offer to help you select the perfect ring.
Deciding between lab-grown and mined diamonds
If the ethical history and sustainability of your stone are important to you, lab-grown diamonds are the best place to start. Lab-made diamonds are eco-friendly, using less energy and water to produce. They’re also considered real diamonds, being physically and optically identical to a mined diamond, all while being up to 40% more affordable. For example, a 5 carat lab-created diamond costs the same as a 2 carat earth-mined diamond of the same quality. So a lab-grown diamond engagement ring can be a good choice for both your wallet and your conscience!
Selecting the carat and cut of your diamond engagement ring
If you know you want a standout centre stone for your engagement ring, carat and cut will be important factors in your decision, especially for a solitaire setting. Carat refers to the weight of the diamond you are buying. The larger the carat, the more expensive the diamond will be.
One trick to get a larger stone for less is to consider different diamond shapes beyond the classic round cut. For example, an oval diamond will look larger than a round diamond of the same carat weight because of its elongated shape. An encircling halo of smaller diamonds will also increase the perceived size of any stone.
Choosing a diamond clarity that suits your engagement ring budget
If you are sticking to a strict budget for your engagement ring, the clarity of the diamond should be your top priority. Clarity measures the stone’s structural flaws or inclusions and is one of the most important pieces of information when pricing the stone. The more obvious an inclusion is, the less expensive the diamond will be.
An FL (flawless) stone will have no inclusions, making it rare and heavily priced. But there are other kinds of diamonds that will look just as beautiful on your hand as a flawless stone. VS (very slightly included) and SI (slightly included) stones will have inclusions in the diamond which may not be visible to the naked eye. A VS or SI stone can be a budget-savvy option as well as a beautiful one.
Picking the perfect engagement ring style and size
There’s nothing more anti-climactic than being told that your partner wants to swap the engagement ring you’ve chosen for something else – or needing to resize it immediately after the proposal because it’s slipping off their finger. Fortunately, there’s a simple solution!
Some online jewelers offer an engagement ring home try-on kit that takes all the stress out of choosing the perfect ring. A try-on kit gives you the opportunity to see what looks and feels right on your hand from the comfort of home, so you can be confident in your decision before you buy.
Some companies also offer free ring sizers as a complimentary service. Using this accurate and simple tool will help make sure that any ring you purchase is crafted to the perfect fit first time.
Buying an engagement ring is a big moment, and shopping online doesn’t mean you’ll be going it alone. If you’re unsure about any aspect of your ring selection, don’t be afraid to reach out to customer service. They will be happy to answer any questions you may have, or connect you with someone who can help you. Your experience should still be special, with all the support you need to make choosing your diamond engagement ring easy and enjoyable.
Thanks to Stefano Navi for sharing these tips with us! They offer eco-friendly, budget friendly and sustainable lab-grown diamond engagement rings from their online store based out of New York.