How to Buy a Diamond on a Budget?
By Devorah Isenberg 
, Thursday, May 31, 2012 4:47 AM
Diamond. Budget. The two words don’t even seem to fit together—the most extravagant object on Earth, the symbol of opulence and luxury, together with an attempt to limit spending. But if you are trying to get engaged without blowing through your life savings and racking up credit card debt, you may find yourself in the seemingly impossible position of trying to buy a diamond on a budget. With a little information and a few tricks up your sleeve, you can buy a diamond on a budget without falling into the trap of spending your diamond budget on a stone that ends up looking flawed or dull and even cheaper than it should. Remember that Internet-based retailers can often offer prices up to 30% less than at a bricks-and-mortar retailer, so do your research well and shop online. If a diamond still seems out of your budget, consider buying a used engagement ring or a colored gemstone—there is no reason to go into debt over what is in essence a symbolic gesture!
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| Whiteflash ACA Round&Princess Cut Diamonds |
The first rule for maximizing your diamond budget is somewhat counterintuitive: think small. Many people who are trying to find a budget diamond that still looks impressive try to find the largest diamond available for their budget—meaning it is often a stone with a poor cut quality, many visible flaws, and a distinct yellow tone. You will be much better off choosing a modestly-sized stone—under a carat or even under .75 carat is fine!—and making sure it is of high enough quality to sparkle as much as a bigger stone.
The second rule is to learn the 4 C’s well, and then learn to prioritize them properly. The 4 C’s are not all equal! Diamond experts agree that the number one criteria that determines how well a diamond performs, and therefore, how good it looks, is Cut. This doesn’t refer to the shape of the stone (although the classic round brilliant is generally the best choice for a budget diamond) but the quality of the angles of the facets that make up the diamond. A diamond with a high cut quality—Excellent, Ideal, or Super-Ideal—will actually reflect light so well it can disguise some flaws in Color or Clarity. While some brides have their hearts set on D-Color, Internally Flawless diamonds, those looking for a diamond on a budget should aim for the “sweet spot” of color grades—H, I, and J—and a stone that is VS1 or VS2 but is certified to be “eye clean”—without visible flaws, feathering or inclusions. After all, if the cut quality of your diamond is so good that its flaws are no longer visible to the naked eye—what does it matter?
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| Vatche White Gold Solitaire Engagement Rings |
Finally, find the setting that will show off your budget diamond to its maximum advantage. Choose white gold over yellow—which can play up the slight yellow tones in a less expensive diamond. Opt for a simple prong setting for maximum light exposure and performance, and then choose a setting where those prongs are surrounded by small—inexpensive—diamonds that will draw the eye in and make your center diamond appear even larger and more sparkly. Avoid bezel settings or other heavy, complex setting styles that can overwhelm a modest stone. If your bride has slender fingers, even a modest stone can look incredible when set simply on a Tiffany-style band.
For more specific questions ask our experts
