Jewelry consultant Deirdre Lally, GG spoke to iMag about great ways to save on an engagement ring.
A common misconception when shopping for a diamond is that you must buy a “D Flawless” stone in order for it to be a stunner. However, you can get a tremendous savings and a spectacular diamond with slightly lower color and clarity. The key is knowing when and where to compromise and how to make a small or imperfect diamond shine!
Save on Clarity
In terms of clarity, VS1 and VS2 stones are a great choice. They have very slight inclusions, are high quality and beautiful. Another option that is even more gently priced is an SI1. A good SI1 has no eye-visible inclusions, which means the minor imperfections can only be seen with a specialized tool. You can also look for an SI1 with just perimeter inclusions, which are more difficult to see and can be hidden under a well-placed prong.
Can you tell the difference between these two rings? The one on the Right is an SI1 and the left is a VS2.
Save on Color
You should try to get the highest color grade you can, but don’t worry if that is not an "E" or "F." "G-I" diamonds are nearly colorless and once mounted will look almost identical to non-professionals. If the stone is well-cut, the brilliance will offset some of the yellowness.
Look at these two stones side by side. You really can’t tell the difference but there is a BIG one. While the clarity and the carat weight are almost identical, the center stone on the left is a "D" and the one on the right is a "G" making it almost $5,000 less expensive.
Make it Look Bigger
Another trick is to frame the center stone with a diamond halo, or opt for a smaller center stone and add a halo. This creates the illusion of a much larger stone and makes a great statement.
Look at these two rings. The center stone is IDENTICAL but the one on the right looks so much larger (and a halo only adds a small amount to the price of the ring).
Make it Look Bigger II
Certain settings will also make a stone seem much larger. Using side stones makes the center stone appear bigger than a solitaire setting.
For more great suggestions on saving on engagement rings and alternatives to diamonds, click here.
Jewelry consultant Deirdre Lally, GG spoke to iMag about great ways to save on an engagement ring.
A common misconception when shopping for a diamond is that you must buy a “D Flawless” stone in order for it to be a stunner. However, you can get a tremendous savings and a spectacular diamond with slightly lower color and clarity. The key is knowing when and where to compromise and how to make a small or imperfect diamond shine!
