The 4Cs in diamonds stand for Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat.
The Cut is the most important and the key aspect when it comes to choosing a diamond. It not only refers to the shape but it is what basically determines the proportion, symmetry, and polish of a diamond. The right cut influences the beauty of a diamond and its ability to reflect the light exquisitely. It should not be too deep or too flat, the facets should be in perfect symmetry as this will maximize the sparkle of your diamond and it will look gorgeous!
For instance, if there are two diamonds of the same carat weight; a well cut diamond tends to appear larger and brilliant, whilst a poorly cut diamond can appear smaller and dark regardless of its color or clarity.
When it comes to buying a diamond, it is generally preferable to choose a stone with the least amount of color possible. The color of a diamond is influenced by the natural elements trapped inside like nitrogen. The diamond color is essentially graded on a scale marked with alphabets starting from D to Z; which are further divided into five categories: colorless, near colorless, faint, very light and light.
You may find it amusing, but diamonds come in all the colors of the spectrum! Color grading diamonds is one of the most difficult tasks, as without a controlled environment you cannot distinguish even if the diamonds are kept side by side with the naked eye. When you are comparing two diamonds, both the stones need to be at least two color grades apart so that you can notice the differences between them.
To explain this further we have described the major categories:
Colorless diamonds display two characteristics, i.e, transparency, and rarity. A colorless diamond is a rare form and is subsequently the most valuable of all the other stones on the color scale. The D and E color diamonds are absolutely colorless, whereas F colored stones tend to display a slight amount of undetected color if it is viewed face down by gemologists.
As the name implies, the near-colorless diamonds appear to be colorless when they are viewed from a face-up position, but they tend to display a slight amount of color when they are viewed face down against a positively white background. This little hint of color is undetectable to the untrained eyes and especially if the stone is already mounted, you cannot see it. Near colorless diamonds are majorly used in the jewelry industry in the present times. They are also affordable in comparison to colorless diamonds.
Diamonds that fall under this color category display a slight hint of color when they are viewed in the face-up position. These diamonds are a great option for those who are into colored stones; some people even love the color scheme displayed by these diamonds.
To better understand the concept of diamond clarity, we must understand the process of how natural diamonds are created. When carbon is exposed to tremendous heat and pressure deep in the earth, they transform into diamonds. This process results in diamonds having a variety of characteristics which are split into internal characteristics or ‘inclusions’ and the external characteristics as ‘blemishes’.
The evaluation of the stone’s clarity is determined by a lot of factors like the number, size, relief, position, and nature of these “characteristics”, as well as how these affect the overall appearance of the diamond.
Always remember that no diamond that is created naturally is perfectly pure. But the lesser it has inclusions the better will be its clarity. The imperfection present in the diamonds cannot be recognized by an unaided or naked eye. The higher the clarity, the more valuable the diamond will be.
A diamond’s clarity is divided into 6 major categories which are further split into 11 specific grades, namely:
The correct term that is used to refer to the weight of a diamond is Carat. It is at times confused with the size of the diamond, although the size of a diamond is proportional to its carat weight, it is not the same.
The price of a diamond increase if the carat weight is increased, however, you should know that if two diamonds are of equal carat weight they can have very different price points, as this depends on the other three factors like the color, clarity, and cut as well.
Since we have talked about the important factors, the 4Cs that determine the value of diamonds, you should also know that diamonds come in a variety of different shapes.
So let’s get started.
Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds
The Round Brilliant Cut Diamond is considered to be the classic shape! It is also by far the most popular and the most wanted shape of diamond when it comes to engagement rings. The Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds are precisely cut to have 58 facets; 33 on the crown and 25 on the pavilion and comes in a conical shape to maximize the light return or the reflection of light through the top of the diamond.
Cushion Cut Diamonds
The Cushion Cut Diamonds have an antique and the most surreal, romantic appeal. These diamonds are also known to be a cross between the Old Mine Cut, which was highly popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and the contemporary Oval Cut Diamond. They are featured with large facets and rounded corners and were specifically designed to catch candlelight. The Cushion-Cut Diamond is featured to have 58 facets.
Pear Diamonds
The Pear Shaped Diamonds are popular for combining the tradition and brilliance of a Round Cut with a more tasteful and elegant shape to create an unusual diamond that still makes the light ‘dance’! The diamonds are usually featured with 58 facets, allowing the same brilliance like that of a round cut diamond, but they make a distinct impression due to their shape.
Marquise Diamonds
The Marquise Cut Diamonds are popularly known as the “boat-shaped diamonds” and are also quite popular for engagement rings. The diamond cutters use the same technique to cut the Marquise Shape as that of a Round Brilliant Diamond, but it has an increased carat weight due to its elongated shape. However, due to its shape, the color and clarity imperfections are more obvious as compared to the traditional Round Brilliant Diamonds.
Radiant Cut Diamonds
The Radiant Cut Diamond combines the shape of the rectangular diamond with the brilliance of the traditional Round Cut. It is created with the combination of the two diamond cutting styles; the traditional Round Cut and the stylish Emerald Cut. This unique cut was created by Henry Grossbard in the year 1977, in the hopes of designing something altogether eccentric yet still brilliant!
Heart Diamonds
The Heart-Shaped Diamond has a little split on the top and exudes magnificent brilliance. It is considered to be the most romantic of the diamond shapes. The most important factor in these diamonds is symmetry, so the two halves look completely identical. The split on the top would be obvious and the wings should have a sharp round shape. It is always advisable to not get a heart diamond less than .50 Carats as they tend to appear smaller once they are set; especially in prongs.
Oval Diamonds
The Oval Cut Diamond is considered to be a modified version of The Round Brilliant Cut. The Oval Cut Diamonds are the perfect choice for buyers who want the same characteristics of the traditional Round Cut but are interested in a shape that is less common. These diamonds also create an optical illusion of length and tend to construct an image of elongated fingers.
Princess Cut Diamonds
It is a known fact that the Princess Cut Diamonds make the perfect engagement rings since they have an exquisite brilliance and are very clear. They are designed to get the top sparkle! While choosing a Princess Cut Diamond, always make sure that the sharp-pointed corners of the stone are protected by the setting of your ring.
Asscher Cut Diamonds
The Asscher Cut Diamond is also known as the “Square Emerald-Cut” and is made using a unique step-cut process and has cropped corners. Because of the cropped corners, the stone also appears to be octagonal at the first glance. The Asscher Cut Diamonds are famous for having the clarity of “glacier-water ice”, which allows you to see all the way through the stone; which is why it is advisable to get an Asscher diamond that is flawless or nearly flawless.
Emerald-Cut Diamonds
The Emerald Cut Diamond has been and is a very popular style. It is also known for its beauty and precisely cut edges. While it certainly lacks brilliance like that of the traditional round cut, it more than makes up for its extreme clarity which is often compared to the glacier pure ice! The name was given to this kind of stone cut because it was originally used for cutting emeralds, also known as the step cut, which is now also used on square or rectangular diamonds.
Diamond Certification
A diamond certificate is an authentic report which substantiates all the specifications of a diamond including its shape, color grade, carat weight, clarity grade, and cut grade. These certificates are issued by well-known grading laboratories like the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the American Gem Society (AGS), and the International Gemological Institute (IGI). A diamond’s value is directly correlated to the characteristics mentioned on the certificate it carries. So, if you are planning to purchase diamond jewelry, always ask for a certificate.
As mentioned above there are a plethora of ring types that are available, so the most important step is determining what kind of engagement ring you like. Engagement rings are mostly divided in three fashion categories- the Classic, Modern, and Vintage inspired, once you get this part down it becomes easier to pick one. So, let’s see the options.
The word solitaire has been derived from the French word meaning “alone”; a solitaire ring carries only one single diamond set in a plain mounting of usually four to six prongs. It is one of the most popular styles of engagement rings. Solitaire Engagement Rings are considered as classics because the design boasts an elegant combination of simplicity and timelessness. The stone is set in a high mount, which allows it to get the maximum to light, enhancing the diamond’s brilliance. Solitaires also come in a variety of designs and styles, some have narrow or wide bands, whilst some have a split shank, others also come with small diamonds adorning the shank. Some solitaire rings also come with ring guards or wraps which frame the center diamond, making it look more distinguished.
Taking its name from the French word pavāre which means “to cover”, the gemstones on a Pavé Engagement Ring are encrusted so close together all along with the band that it gives the appearance of a solid surface of diamonds, so that little to no metal is visible. The pave-set rings only use small size diamonds set within tinier beads or prongs. They are mostly done in the entire band which is known as ‘full pave’ or stops halfway of the band, known as ‘half pave’. Some of the rings also feature micro pave settings in which the individual stones are so tiny that they appear to blend together; the center stones used in pavé engagement rings can be a round brilliant cut diamond or an oval cut diamond or any other stone of your choice. If you are someone who likes a super-sparkling ring, then this design is the perfect answer for you.
Three-stone engagement rings are also known as a trinity or trilogy rings. The design of these rings features a trio of gemstones, where a center stone is flanked by two other diamonds, one on each side. The trio of stones symbolizes the past, present, and future together. The center diamond is set higher than the other two complementary side gemstones to highlight the usually larger gemstone and it tends to add depth to the rings. The round, emerald, and princess cut diamonds are the most popular choices for three-stone engagement rings, which are displayed with prong-set, bezel-set, or basket-set, type of settings as they effectively make the center stone look more prominent. Three-stone engagement rings are a wonderful choice for the woman who enjoys the sentimental symbolism behind the ring.
Channel set engagement rings are featured with diamonds embellished in the channel groove of the band. The gemstones are secured in place via a thin strip of metal, without the use of prongs. The diamonds are flushed or held together with the band so smoothly that they appear as a united diamond surface. This setting is mostly liked by women because they don’t get snagged in their clothing as compared to others; they are also sturdier in nature. The most popular and the right pick for your channel set engagement ring is a princess cut stone because its square edges ensure that there will be zero gaps between the stones. Channel set engagement rings have a very fresh, contemporary look and are very much adored by today’s women.
As the name suggests, in tension set engagement rings, the jeweler takes the exact dimensions of the diamond and then cuts grooves in the band or the shank, so the diamond is actually held by the pressure created by the custom metal bands that hold the sides of the stone. It also gives the appearance of the diamond to be floating in the air! This type of setting is even liked over prong settings because the sides of the diamonds are not exposed, the setting is tighter and you can show off your entire diamond. The round-cut diamonds along with the princess and emerald-cut diamonds are the most popular choice for tension-set engagement rings.
Known to be the most durable and modern, bezel set engagement rings are highly popular. In this type of setting, the diamond is held inside a custom-made rim of metal that totally surrounds the stone, keeping it safe and secure while showing off its beauty. Unlike the prong setting, which exposes the gemstone on all sides, a bezel setting perfectly encircles the diamond and holds it in its place. The popular center stones that are featured in bezel settings are mostly round brilliant cut diamonds. Bezel settings are also highly popular in solitaire rings as they tend to create a look of elegance. Like other engagement rings, bezel set rings are also available in different precious metals like gold and platinum.
Halo engagement ring features a center gemstone that is surrounded by smaller diamonds set in a micro pave setting. This beautiful style makes the central gemstone appear larger by emphasizing its sparkle and brilliance, as the smaller stones help in adding volume and the ring’s overall look. This setting style was highly popular in the Victorian era, it is also liked by today’s women as this style is a ‘classic nod’ to the vintage era. The halo engagement rings are also considered to be traditional and are a mix of both modern and vintage take on solitaire rings. They are famously given the name of “new-classics”; halo engagement rings are often featured with colored gemstones like emeralds, blue and yellow sapphires, or red rubies.
Considered to be the most romantic of all, vintage engagement rings have a timeless charm of their own! To be true vintage, a ring is supposed to be at least over 100 years old, but you can definitely purchase a vintage-inspired ring that is featured with much stronger metals and better gemstones. Vintage engagement rings are subsequently divided into three eras, namely— Art Deco, Victorian and Etruscan. The diamonds used in them are flamboyant and are often accentuated with other gemstones like blue sapphires, rubies, and emeralds. The gemstones are also set in a variety of setting types depending on the eras— channel-set, cluster-set, box-set, and halo-set. They also use a combination of intricate engravings and milgrain detailing on the band of the ring. The splendor of vintage engagement rings is unbeatable.
Engagement rings and wedding bands also come in a variety of setting types, let’s take a look at them.
The prong setting is one of the most traditional setting techniques. This setting type allows for the maximum exposure of the gemstone allowing the light to pass through the diamond, which increases its brilliance. The most famous prong settings are the four-prong and the six-prong setting.
In this setting style, the diamond’s outer edges are completely surrounded in a fine frame of metal, it can be gold or platinum. The bezel setting is known for its simplicity and durability, since the stone’s edges are covered there are lesser chances of cracking under pressure or scratches. It also gives gemstones a larger appearance, and it is also versatile because it can accommodate every diamond shape.
A tension setting is a more contemporary method of encrusting a diamond into a ring. In tension setting technique, the mountings are prior manufactured in precious metals then the diamond is essentially “squeezed” into the grooves of the mounting, without the necessity for prongs. This setting technique ensures security and protects the stone.
The Channel setting technique is loved for its durability, appearance, and brilliance. In this setting, small-sized diamonds are set in the band of the ring with tiny prongs or beads separating them, altogether they create an appearance of a diamond surface. The small diamonds are well embedded in the metal so that they cannot fall out, for this reason, this setting type is loved by the majority of women because it becomes easier to work freely with a ring on the hand.
As the name infers, the bar setting technique uses two metal bars to hold the diamond in place. The bar setting allows the focus to be on the gemstone and creates a bold appearance. This setting type also allows maximum light to enter the diamond which helps the stone in emanating more sparkle.
A shank is the band of the ring which envelops or wraps itself around your finger. The shank of a ring plays an important role in creating a unique look.
A plain shank is mostly featured in rings like solitaires. This type of shank is considered a classic as it is not embellished with any gemstone or diamond for that matter. It is rather a plain band that has a center stone mostly sitting in prongs or some other type of diamond setting. The benefit of choosing a plain shank is that you can pair it with your wedding band for an awesome bridal stack look. Plain shanks also come in a variety of styles and they needn’t be straight, it can be split, twisted, or criss-crossing for a unique look.
If you are not a fan of traditional engagement rings and don’t want stones on your band, an engraved shank is a perfect choice. It is inexpensive as compared to others and still creates an interesting look. There are numerous engraving options you can get in your ring, you can get them on both the edges of the shank or add a milgrain border on both sides, this also gives your rings a vintage-inspired and romantic look.
In a straight diamond shank, diamonds are set in different setting styles for a unique look. The stones are mostly encrusted in a shared prong setting for a modern look or are pave set for a more sparkly look. The diamonds are often set in a graduating order from the shoulders to the back or they can be of the same size. The thin shanks are set with smaller diamonds or they can be bigger to create some serious bling. Sometimes the diamonds are also accentuated with precious gemstones like sapphires or rubies for a more sumptuous and interesting look.
As the name indicates, a split shank band has rows of bands that are split on the shoulder of the ring and at some point join together to wrap the finger. This shank type makes the ring look more spread out and creates a larger appearance. The split shanks are often embellished with diamonds or other gemstones in various rows and setting types to create a distinct, stunning look.
As the name suggests, a criss-cross shank is a pattern where two rows cross over each other or are intertwined at some point. It bestows an interesting look to the shank and is often featured with different metal colors to make it more appealing.
A twisted or braided shank is another interesting way to add detailing to the band. In this shank type, two bands twist or are intertwined with each other to form a shank. This type of shank is used both in solitaires and halo engagement rings. The rows are often encrusted with diamonds; the narrower the row the more intricate it appears.
Wide shanks are for those who like to make a statement with their jewelry. A wide shank combined with a solitaire diamond or any other gemstone makes a noticeable style statement.
Plain wedding bands are one of the most preferred styles of men. It is a classic, timeless design—a plain band crafted in platinum and gold. Wedding bands come in a variety of widths. The narrow bands give a more sleek, subtle look whilst the wider ones give a more noticeable look. Wide wedding bands are more expensive as compared to the narrow styles as the amount of precious metal used in them is larger. While you can budget your preference by getting the same style but the thickness may vary.
Some men prefer a more unique and contemporary look when it comes to wedding bands. Adding a personal touch like the birthstone, engravings of initials, or certain unique designs and patterns create a more distinct look. There are numerous styles you can opt for bands with a brushed or hammered finish, or bands crafted in two-tone precious metal, or the ones that include detailings or symbols.
For a man who is into subtle details, a touch of color or sparkle could just be a perfect choice for him. These types of wedding bands are either featured with a single stone or a very thin row of channel-set diamonds or blue sapphires which make them create the perfect amount of masculine look. Because of their durability diamonds and sapphires are the first choice in these bands, these stones are also well-suited for men.
Women who are much more attached to the traditional styles, for them the classic or the plain wedding band is a perfect choice. They are timeless, elegant, and most importantly always wearable. Since these bands are traditional they are mostly crafted in yellow gold, white gold, and platinum. As opposed to other bands, a classic wedding band is popular for its comfort and its ability to match up with every other piece of jewelry. At times brides also prefer to match their wedding bands with their grooms, in this case, a plain wedding band is one of the best choices. Plain wedding bands are also available in a variety of designs- they are featured in two-tone gold, or with some different polish and finish. These bands usually have a narrow width as opposed to their men’s band counterparts. And if you are going to wear it solo then width doesn’t play many roles but if you are planning to pair it with your engagement ring, then getting a narrow band is more advisable.
Carved wedding rings or bands are also a popular choice amongst women who like to add a little bit of twist to their classic wedding bands. These types of bands are featured with some sort of engravings or detailings as opposed to the traditional style. Whilst many who are not into flashy, extravagant engagement rings wear carved wedding bands for a subtle look.
For women who prefer sparkle, diamond wedding bands are a perfect choice. They also tend to complement the engagement rings. Diamond wedding bands come in a variety of designs, styles, metal types, and widths. They are also a symbol of lifelong commitment and love for your partner. Whether you prefer a yellow or white or platinum wedding band, Shanzay has the ideal wedding band for your D-day.
The word sapphire has been derived from the Latin word ‘saphirus’ and the Greek word ‘sappheiros’, both the words translate to blue.
Blue sapphires have long been holding the position of being one of the beautiful precious gemstones. They have been associated with royalty for several centuries and are also seen as a symbol of energy and healing in many circles.
Properties of Blue Sapphire
Blue sapphires are considered to be primary-colored gemstones, the purer their hue is, the more valuable the stone is. Blue sapphires are colored by certain amounts of titanium and iron; by increasing the levels the color saturation is also increased. The other common secondary hues that are found in blue sapphires are that of purple, violet, green. Blue sapphires that are entirely free of inclusions are rare and uncommon, especially if they are in larger sizes.
However, blue sapphires which have little internal inclusions are highly valued as these inclusions do not tend to reduce the brilliance, or shadow the color or otherwise diminish the beauty of the gemstone. Blue sapphires which are over one carat and more are not cut to standard sizes and shapes, rather each gemstone is shaped to maximize the color and weight.
The most interesting factor of blue sapphires is that the cut of the gemstone can influence its color in surprising ways. Sapphires are known to be dichroic gemstones, meaning that their color varies depending on the angle you are viewing them from. For instance, from one direction they might tend to appear greenish-blue but from another direction they can appear violet-blue. Blue sapphires are skillfully cut so that the blue to violet color shows through the finished gemstone’s crown.
Treatments of heat make the blue sapphires more attractive and also raise the price of stones that would have little or no value without treatments. Heat treatment is very commonly used in the international jewel market and it is estimated that over 90 percent of all blue sapphires have been prior subjected to it.
On the other hand, diffusion treatment is far more controversial when compared to heat treatment, as diffusion treated blue sapphires sell for far less price than those stones which have been heat treated.
Blue sapphires are mined in a number of locations like Kashmir in India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Thailand, Australia, Tanzania, and the United States.
Blue Sapphires as a gift
Blue sapphires are widely used to celebrate wedding anniversaries. In fact, blue sapphire jewelry is considered to be the traditional gift for a 45th wedding anniversary. This is because, for centuries, blue sapphires have been a symbol of innocence, longevity, and also a talisman for good health. Blue sapphires also have many metaphysical benefits like it brings prosperity, beauty and inner peace to the wearer.
The most important thing about emeralds is their color. Emerald has been the epitome standard for green among other colored gemstones for thousands of years.
When it comes to colored gemstones, it requires a trained professional to recognize the variations that make significant differences in an emerald’s value.
Color of Emeralds
Color is the most important factor when it comes to evaluating the value of emeralds and it is divided into three categories: hue, saturation, and tone. The most desirable colors in emeralds are bluish-green to pure green and the most valued emeralds are the ones that are not too dark and are highly transparent. The color of an emerald is evenly distributed, so if the hue is too yellowish or too bluish, the stone is not an emerald but a different variety of beryl. In such cases, the value of the stone drops imminently.
The ideal color for an emerald used for an engagement ring is highly saturated and bright. The elements that are responsible for an emerald’s color are chromium, vanadium, and iron. These three elements and their amounts influence the color of an emerald crystal.
The color of an emerald is also dependent on the location of its mine. Colombian emeralds are said to have a more warmer and intense color of green. Whilst the Zambian emeralds are known to have a more cool bluish-green appearance. In spite of all the different theories, the truth is that an emerald’s appearance overlaps between its sources.
Clarity of Emeralds
Emeralds tend to have numerous inclusions and surface-breaking fissures. These inclusions in emeralds are visible even to the unaided eye, as it is typical of emeralds to contain them. Because of this, jewelers and consumers understand and accept the presence of inclusions. Emeralds which are highly clean are very valuable and expensive as they are a rare occurrence. The inclusions in emeralds are often referred to as “jardin” which is a French word for garden, as they are described as looking mossy or garden-like.
That is why unlike other gemstones, where the loupe standard, i.e. 10X magnification is used for grade clarity; emeralds are graded by eye. Therefore, if an emerald has no inclusions that are visible to the eye, it is considered to be flawless. Emeralds which lack surface breaking fissures are rare, therefore most of the stones are treated, “oiled” to enhance their clarity. The most expensive emeralds are eye-clean and exhibit an intense primary green hue with no more than 15% of any other hue or combination of a medium-dark tone.
Rubies are known to command the highest prices as compared to any other colored gemstone. The per-carat prices of fine-quality rubies have risen consistently and many times broke the auction records.
While rubies have been universally accepted as red corundum, there are contradicting opinions on what elements constitute a ruby or a pink sapphire.
Color of Rubies
Just like emeralds, color is also the most significant factor affecting a ruby’s value. The finest quality rubies have a pure, vibrant color that varies from red to slightly purplish red. In international markets, pure red rubies command the highest prices and the ones with overtones of orange and purple are less valued. The stones which are neither too dark nor too light are considered to be the finest quality rubies. Because the color is too dark, it has a negative effect on the brightness of the stone; whilst if the color is too light the stone might be considered to be a pink sapphire.
Although the color boundaries between pink sapphire and red rubies are often blurred, because of the common element, i.e. chromium. It is the saturation that differentiates them. Rubies from Myanmar have a slight purple secondary color while Thai rubies exhibit a “garnet red” color due to their dark tone.
Historically rubies have been termed as “pigeon’s blood,” “pomegranate,” “saffron,” and “China rose”, which were used to describe the color of a ruby. However, these terms aren’t used universally and an objective system for evaluating the prices of rubies did not exist until recent times.
Clarity of Rubies
Rubies tend to have at least some inclusions because inclusion-free rubies are non-existent. And the value of rubies also depends on how visible these inclusions are. Inclusions that affect the brightness or transparency of a stone lower the value a lot.
If prominent inclusions are located near the table facet, they diminish the brilliance, transparency, and value of the stone. Inclusions can also limit a stone’s durability, so significant surface-reaching fractures also pose durability threats leading to cracks.
The mineral inclusions in ruby are known as needles and when the mineral is rutile and needles are present in groups, it is called silk. The needles can be long or short and they may appear to be in a bunch woven together.
Unlike diamonds, rubies are not subjected to the same clarity standards and they are not graded at 10x magnification, because natural rubies are rare occurrences. Rather they are graded on the same eye level as emeralds; a high clarity ruby is known to be “eye clean.”
The most famous sources of rubies are Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. The Burmese rubies have the perfect combination of silk, color, and strong fluorescence. They are majorly found in two places: the famous Mogôk Valley, and Möng Hsu.
Rubies are also found in Sri Lanka, which tend to be more brilliant but have lighter color tones with pink and purple being the secondary colors. The clarity of Sri Lankan rubies are very high end they exhibit strong fluorescence, color zoning, and the presence of silk
Other places where rubies are mined are Vietnam and Thailand, Afghanistan, Africa, Cambodia, India, Kashmir, Laos, Nepal, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and the United States.
Choosing the right metal for your engagement ring is one of the most crucial parts of the ring selection process. Once you get familiar with the basic properties of precious metals like gold and platinum, deciding on metal for your ring will become a simple process. Nonetheless choosing amidst white gold, yellow gold or platinum is also a matter of personal preference.
White Gold
White gold is incredibly beautiful and a popular choice for engagement ring settings, it has quickly become the top choice in engagement ring metals. White gold beautifully compliments diamonds that are of the color grade D-I on the scale, as it enhances the brilliance and sparkle White gold also serves as a stunning backdrop for wedding bands embellished with colored gemstones like blue sapphires and emeralds.
To give gold the white color, it is typically alloyed with palladium, zinc, silver, and nickel. It is often plated with rhodium- a shiny, white metal belonging to the platinum family; the rhodium plating gives it a shinier, whiter appearance and also protects it from color loss. Although white gold does not tarnish easily, it may over time develop a slightly yellow appearance as a result of the yellow gold content which is 75%. In case this happens, the whiteness of white gold can be restored with a simple process of re-plating.
Yellow Gold
Yellow gold is the most common of the gold choices and it is also considered traditional; partly because of the fact that gold is naturally yellow in color in its occurring state. The yellow gold used in the making of fine jewelry is typically alloyed with silver and copper. The reason why many people for yellow gold is because of its durability, it does not tarnish or corrode, and it is also counted as a long-lasting beauty.
Rose Gold
Rose gold comprises gold and copper alloy commonly used in jewelry and is popular for its warm, reddish-pink color. It is also famously known as red gold or pink gold, and sometimes Russian gold, as a result of its huge popularity in Russia in the early 19th century.
The higher the amount of copper in the gold, the more prominent will the red color be. The color of pure gold is yellow and pure copper is red, so the color spectrum of rose gold lies somewhere between the two, depending on the composition of the two metals. The most common alloy for rose gold is 75% gold and 25% copper by mass.
Platinum
Platinum is known to be one of the rarest and valuable precious metals and is only found in limited quantities in few selective places of the world. The worldwide production of platinum is approximately 160 tons in a year as compared to 1,500 tons of gold. This makes platinum much more expensive than any other precious metal.
Although rare and expensive, platinum has gained quite the popularity in recent years due to its beauty and durability. Platinum’s even, gleaming color makes it a very popular choice for engagement ring settings, as these characteristics make it the perfect backdrop to magnify the sparkle and brilliance of diamonds and other precious gemstones that are set in the metal. The purity of platinum is 90-95% and it rarely causes any allergic reaction, thus making it an ideal metal choice for people who happen to have metal allergies.
Platinum is very strong in nature and can withstand a lot of stress and pressure as compared to other precious metals. It is also naturally white in color as opposed to white gold; whilst white gold needs re-plating over time, platinum retains its brilliant luster and color. Most platinum jewelry is made with 95% platinum and 5% of alloys that are closely related like palladium, ruthenium, and iridium that add to the additional strength.
Karat is the term that is used to measure the purity of gold. The higher the karatage, the purer the gold will be. Below is a simple guide to understanding the difference between 24k, 22k, 18k, and 14k.
24K gold
24K gold is also known as the purest form of gold or 100 percent gold. This describes as that all the 24 parts in the gold are all pure gold without the trace of any mixture of other metals. It is known to be 99.9% pure and has a bright yellow color. There is no higher or purer form of gold than 24K. Since its the purest form of gold, it is more expensive than 22K or 18K gold. However, this type of gold is very soft and pliable thus not a good choice for making jewelry. Coins and bars are mostly available in 24K gold, it is also used in electrical and mechanical devices.
22K gold
22K gold jewelry has 91.6% of pure gold and the other 8.33% comprises other metals like nickel, silver, zinc, and other alloys. This addition of metals, makes the gold harder, therefore making the jewelry more durable. However, you must know that 22K gold is preferable for making plain gold jewelry and it is not used for diamonds or other gemstone studded jewelry.
18K gold
18K gold comprises of 75% gold alloyed with 25% of other metals like copper, palladium, silver, etc. 18K gold is most preferable in the making of studded or other diamond jewelry. It is less expensive as compared to 22K and 24K gold, although it exhibits a slightly dull color. Recognizing 18K jewelry is rather simple as it is marked with a stamp of 750 or 0.75, as a way to symbolize that the jewelry contains 75% gold.
14K Gold
14K gold is composed of 58% gold and 42% of other alloys like copper, zinc, silver, etc. 14Kt or 14K gold means that it has a fineness or purity of 583 per thousand parts of gold. This is the most popular purity of gold because of its durability, affordability, and beauty.
Hallmarks are known to be the official marks that are used in many countries across the world as a guarantee of the purity of the precious metals used in the jewelry. Hallmarks are made of two parts- the brand logo and the metal karatage which aids as information of the jewelry product you are buying in addition to the brand you are purchasing from and the guaranteed standard of metal purity. For instance, 22K piece of gold jewelry is stamped with 927, 18K jewelry is featured with a stamp 750; indicating the purity of gold.
We at Shanzay use the laser technique to mark all our products with our logo along with the metal karatage you have chosen as per the rules and regulations led down by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The BIS Hallmarking Scheme is aligned with the International standards of hallmarking jewelry and guarantees you authenticity.
© Shanzay 2023