Everything you need to know about buying a diamond

Diamonds with Philippe Harold Antwerp Diamond Jewellery

Diamonds are a significant purchase, but you may still be surprised by their high prices. It is important to review your finances and set a budget before making any purchases. Take some time to research and find a stone that fits within your budget that will still sparkle brilliantly. Understanding how diamond prices are determined by size, quality, and rarity will help you make an informed decision.

Diamond characteristics impact the price of the stone in different ways. With the help of our trusted experts and some basic knowledge about how to value diamonds, you can easily choose a beautiful diamond that will bring joy for a lifetime.

How to Value a Diamond

When choosing a diamond, there are four important factors to consider when determining the value of a diamond : cut, colour, clarity, and carat weight. Cut is the most critical factor as it determines how much the diamond sparkles. For round diamonds, an Excellent cut grade is best, while other shapes should have Very Good at the lowest. Colour is graded from D to Z, with D-F appearing bright and colourless and G-H being a more budget-friendly option. Clarity refers to small imperfections called inclusions, choose between Flawless and Included to save on budget. Finally, carat weight affects a diamond's price, larger diamonds are rarer and therefore more expensive.

While carat weight may seem like the most important factor when choosing a diamond, it is essential to prioritise cut and colour grades first. These two factors greatly impact the beauty of the stone and can enhance its size. A poorly cut or yellowish diamond may appear dull despite its size. By compromising slightly on clarity instead of cut or colour grades, you can still get significant savings without sacrificing too much sparkle. Understanding these Four Cs will help you make an informed decision when choosing your perfect diamond.

Finding Your Perfect Diamond

To judge the quality of a diamond, there are two methods you can use. Firstly, by examining its grading certificate provided by an impartial and renowned grading laboratory such as GIA or IGI. The certificate will provide precise grades for each characteristic with special attention given to cut, colour and clarity grades. Secondly, trust your own eye when viewing diamonds in person or via a virtual appointment with us. Two diamonds could have identical grades but one may catch your eye due to its uniqueness.

If you are looking for an alternative to mined diamonds, there are plenty of options to choose from. One option that is gaining popularity is lab-grown diamonds. These diamonds have the same beauty and durability as natural diamonds. By browsing loose lab diamonds and comparing their price points with natural diamonds, you can save anywhere between 40% to 60%.

Coloured gems are also a great option. Not only are they absolutely beautiful in their own right, but many coloured gems like sapphire, ruby and emerald are durable enough for daily wear. While diamonds may be the traditional choice for some jewellery, coloured gems offer a unique and personal touch.

Choosing a bespoke ring makes finding the perfect price point for your budget easy. While the cost of the setting remains constant, diamonds and gemstones have varying prices which means you can tailor your ring to fit your specific budget. Start by selecting a setting type and subtracting its cost from your total budget to determine how much you can spend on the centre stone. Creating a bespoke engagement ring allows you to find the perfect price point for your budget while still getting high-quality diamonds that meet your specifications for cut, colour and clarity grades

Researching diamond quality can be overwhelming, but don't worry – our diamond guides and experts can help. If you would rather leave the search up to someone else, contact us to meet with a qualified gemologist who can help find the perfect diamond within your budget and preferred ring style.