Published: December 17, 2008
Holiday Season is Tops For Getting Engaged
Diamond Expert Offers Tips for Online Diamond Shopping
Holiday season is the second most popular time of year for getting engaged. Buying a diamond is often a life-changing experience not only due to the financial value, but because of the emotional feelings behind giving that gift. In today's recession, consumers can save 30% - 60% by shopping online for diamonds.
According to Yomesh Shah, president,
B2CJewels.com, "It is important to take the time to learn as much as you can about the 4 Cs before beginning the diamond-shopping experience - carat weight, cut, color and clarity."
"Loose diamonds can be weighted on a jeweler's balance, but mounted diamonds must be estimated with a special formula," notes Shah. Carat is the measurement of weight. Cut can both enhance color and hide inclusions. Today's most popular cuts include round and princess. Fancier cuts are secondary and include Asher and heart.
"Many consumers don't realize that not all diamonds are colorless. Diamonds occur in every color of the rainbow; however, the bigger the stone, the more obvious the color," continues Shah. Diamonds are found in every color, but white-colored diamonds remain the most popular. All color is rated by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) varying from colorless and near colorless to faint yellow and light yellow.
Clarity translates as naturally occurring impurities known as inclusions. Clarity ranges from internally flawless and very, very slight inclusions to very slight inclusions, slight inclusions, visible inclusions and imperfect.
Many shoppers choosing to purchase loose diamonds and can save 30% - 60% by shopping online. Loose diamonds can be mounted on an existing mount (such as a family heirloom or an original engagement ring mounting). The average center diamond is 80% of the value of the ring. Today's most popular mountings are platinum or white gold.
By shopping online at sites such as GIA certified B2CJewels.com, consumers can save 30% - 60% on the price of diamonds and diamond settings. B2CJewels.com offers a "design your own" element where consumers can select a setting, choose a loose diamond and determine metal type. Visit www.B2CJewels.com.
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