Quick and Easy Buying Guide

Carat weight: 1 carat = 200 milligrams = 6.5 mm diameter. Doubling weight doesn't double diameter.

Diamond clarity: FL/IF/VVS/VS = super expensive, near perfect. SI = best value if you can check a photo for obvious inclusions (defects).

 

Color: D-G = colorless, expensive, only if you have money to burn. H-J = best value. Can go lower in gold metal settings than white metal.

Cut: Better cut ratings let more light into a diamond, making it sparkle more. Very important property, don't skimp here.

Set a budget and minimum cut (Premium). Go J color for gold and I/H for white metals. Go searching for SI1/SI2 clarity diamonds at James Allen. Pick a diamond with small/no inclusions. Choose a ring setting and buy it risk-free (60-day returns).

Aquamarine Diamond Ring

For those of you looking for something a little different to a conventional white diamond ring, you may want to consider an aquamarine diamond ring. An aquamarine diamond has a smooth soft color to it and is, as you can probably guess, associated with water. The Latin “aqua marina” means “water of the sea”.

Sponsored Links

Unlike diamonds, aquamarines can get quite large – the largest ever discovered was 110 kilograms and almost two feet long! It’s found in a few different places around the world, including in the mainland United States.

For those of you into birthstones, it’s the birthstone for March and the zodiac sign Pisces. Crystal healers and those into astrology will recommend getting this stone for a lady who has that star sign.

They’ve also got some interesting history – sailors wore aquamarines as talismans to protect them when on long ocean voyages. A good choice if you like the look and would also like to have some interesting things to say about the ring!