If you’re on the hunt for the perfect engagement ring, then you’ve probably already heard about Moissanite engagement rings, because they are so popular these days. If you aren’t familiar with these rings yet, you should be! Here’s a quick rundown of what makes them so great, and how you can use that information to choose the perfect one for your future fiancée or wife-to-be!
What is your budget for an engagement ring? The price of a ring will depend on the type of stone, size and design. A 1 carat diamond ring can cost anywhere from $3,000-$10,000. However, if you are looking for something more affordable there are many options such as cubic zirconia or moissanite that can cost as little as $100-$500. If you have a specific design in mind it is important to know how much it will cost in order to stay within your budget.
The 4 Cs are Cut, Clarity, Carat weight and Color. A diamond that is cut well will sparkle more than a diamond of the same size with a poor cut. The clarity grade is how much inclusions or imperfections can be seen by naked eye and is graded on a scale from Flawless (F) to Included (I). The carat weight refers to how much one weighs in carats and there are 100 points per carat. The color grade ranges from D-Z, with D being the lightest color and Z being the most yellow/brown tinted color. Lightly tinged stones have the least amount of yellow tinting. The closer you get to a stone’s GIA color number, the less yellowness it has and the whiter it looks in its natural form. The Faint Hue category starts at H and goes up through K as it gets lighter until you get to J which is considered an off white diamond or even an ice white diamond.
A Medium Hue starts at L through O while P through R range from medium to dark hues with Q being medium brown and S having some pinkish undertones.
Insuring your ring is a crucial step in protecting your investment. There are two ways you can go about it: You can either purchase an insurance plan through the jeweler or with a third-party company. The former is easier and often less expensive, but it does have some drawbacks. For one thing, your ring may be covered for only a fraction of its value if you do not report any damages within 90 days of purchase—and that’s if there’s no fine print! Third-time plans are more comprehensive and will cover you up to 100%. However, they’re also pricier, so it depends on how much peace of mind you want to pay for. It’s worth noting that most major credit cards offer some type of protection program for jewelry purchases made on their card.
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