Choosing the shape of your diamond jewelry is one of the key elements in determining the overall appearance of your ring or other diamond jewelry. There are many shapes and variations from which to choose, but first off do not confuse “shape” with “cut”. A diamond’s shape is just that: the outward appearance of the stone, whether it is round, oval etc.; while the cut refers to how the diamond itself is fashioned, how many facets and so on. Below I’ll examine the various diamond shapes and tell a little about each of them,in order to help you make that all-important choice.

Round
The most popular shape, the Round brilliant diamond, is the traditional choice for all occasions and accounts for more than 75% of diamonds sold today. Brilliant style refers to a cut of vertical direction crown and pavilion facets rather than step style horizontaled facets.
Due to laws of supply and demand, the Round diamond is the most expensive cut.
Specification Range for Ideal to Very Fine Cut Round Diamond

Marquise
Legend has it that the Marquise cut was commissioned by King Louis XIV to resemble the smile of his mistress, Marquise de Pompadour. A poorly cut Marquise can be detected by the “bow-tie effect” which can be judged by the unaided eye.
The Marquise has a very large surface area for the carat weight so is an excellent option if a big, longer looking stone is desired for a lower price. The typical Marquise diamond contains 56 facets.

Princess
The Princess cut diamond ia a brilliant style shape with sharp, uncut corners. It is typically cut square rather as a rectangle. A Princess cut diamond generally has 76 facets, giving it more brilliance and fire than the round brilliant.
The Princess Cut is fast becoming one of the most popular diamond cuts in the United States. The shape, with its squared-off corners, requires great care when setting and the corners need to be protected to avoid chipping or cracking. The Princess cut diamond is more forgiving of diamond flaws and weaknesses than the less sparkling Emerald Cut Diamond or the Asscher Cut Diamond.

Quadrillion
A patented cut similar to the princess, the Quadrillion is a square shaped diamond with 49 facets using a star shape pattern. This relatively new cut is also known as a Squarillion cut. Quadrillion diamonds exceed the brilliance of the standard Princess-cut diamond.
It is patented and trademarked by Ambar Diamonds of Los Angeles.

Radiant
The Radiant Cut Diamond is a staight-edged rectangular or square stone with cut corners. The radiant cut diamond has 62-70 facets. The radiant cut is a patented name and cut also known as a cut-cornered, rectangular (or square) modified brilliant diamond. Its truncated corners help to minimize chipping. A depth of 58-69% and table 58-69% is desired in the stone. The Radiant Cut is the first cut to have a complete brilliant facet pattern applied to both the crown and pavilion and as such presents a much more dazzling and brilliant diamond than the simple emerald cut.

Emerald
An emerald cut diamond shape is usually rectangular. Step cuts are comprised of larger facets which act like mirrors. Because of the angle, size and shape of the facets, the emerald cut shows less brilliance and fire (dispersion) than the other brilliant cut diamonds. However, the emerald cut stone reveals a classic beauty and elegance not seen in other cuts. Because of the open and large facets, a higher color and clarity in the stone is imposrant because flaws, color weakness, and a poor cut are more likely to become visible at lower grades. The emerald cut diamond tends to be less fiery than a “round brilliant” cut, but it also displays broader, more dramatic flashes of light. The trim lines of emerald cut diamonds lend an elegant, sophisticated air to both the simplest and most elaborate ring settings. Emerald cut diamonds are not as “traditional” as the round brilliant or as trendy as the princess cut, therefore their pricing is much more economical than other common cuts.

Pear
The pear shaped brilliant diamond is based upon the traditional configuration of the round brilliant diamond and is a combination of a Round brilliant and a Marquise cut. Length-to-width ratio is a matter of taste when it comes to pear shaped diamonds. The typical pear shaped diamond will contain 58 facets.
The pear shape is flattering to a hand with long fingers.

Oval
The oval cut diamond is based upon the traditional configuration of the round brilliant diamond and that’s why its technical name is oval modified brilliant diamond. The oval-shaped diamond provides a larger surface area than a round cut diamond with the same carat weight. This makes it an option for shoppers looking for the brilliant of the round but a bigger size for the price. Fifty-six facets are typical for oval brilliant diamonds. Recently ovals have gained in popularity as center diamonds for engagement rings.
Its symmetrical design is popular among women with small hands or short fingers. The elongated oval shape gives a flattering illusion of length to the hand.

Trilliant
The Trilliant cut, developed in the late seventies, is an adaptation of the radiant cut but in a triangular shape. The cut has equilateral sides and is a combination cut of the step cut and the brilliant cut diamond. When correctly, it displays a marvelous brilliance. The trillion cut diamond is often cut shallow and looks large for its carat weight. Trillion diamonds are beautiful when flanking a center diamond when used as a center diamond.

Baguette
Baguettes have unbeveled corners and usually only two rows of facets. They may be rectangular or tapered. Like the emerald cut, the baguette does not have the sparkle of a brilliant cut but has a classic beauty. Higher color and clarity are important for the Baguette cut diamond because there are not facets to hide inclusions or body color.

Heart
The heart shape is a brilliant cut that requires a perfectly symmetrical appearance. The lobes (top arches) of the stone need to be of even height and breadth and the overall shape pleasing to the eye. Romantic perfection for the engagement ring.

Asscher
Presented in 1902 by the Asscher Diamond Co. the Asscher cut is a patented a rectilinear diamond cut. The squarish step cut displays deeply cut corners that give it an almost octagonal outline. The Asscher cut, inspired by the table cuts of the Renaissance, was a big departure from the brilliant cuts that dominated the 1800s. Because of its high crown and small table, the Asscher cut has more light and fire than an emerald cut.

Trillion Cut Diamonds
A newcomer, born in the late seventies, this diamond is a triangle stone with equal sides. These can make stunning earrings.

Baguette Cut Diamonds
Another step cut diamond shape that is most frequently employed as side stones. Because it has few facets, quality and color come into play more here as imperfections become more visible in these uncomplicated, though elegant diamonds.

Radiant Diamonds
A square or rectangularly shaped diamond, the Radiant resembles the emerald shape but has 70 facets, making it much more brilliant and dazzling than the Emerald shape.

Asscher Cut Diamonds
A rectangular shaped diamond with high crown step facets, this shape was patented in 1902 and is know for it’s fire and ability to return light.

Cushion Cut Diamonds
Sometimes referred to as “pillow cut”, this shape was popular in the 1800’s. Cut with candle light in mind, (nothing else available at the time!) the cushion cut is a rectangular/squarish shape, with more than a touch of old world elegance about it.

According to a recent DeBeers study, four out of five brides receive diamond engagement rings. National Jeweler’s 2003 survey found that more than 40 percent of customers planned on buying a diamond one carat or larger. And the 2002 American Wedding Study (sponsored by Condé Nast) revealed that the average engagement ring costs $3,576: more than 16 percent of the average wedding budget.

Once the ring is chosen it’s time to pick a diamond if one is not already set into the ring. There are four qualities that are important: cut, color, clarity and carat weight.

Cut: The cut of a diamond refers to the angles and proportions of a diamond. This is not the shape of the diamond, but it can determine whether a diamond has been cut too deep, too shallow or if it is an ideal cut. A diamond that is cut well will reflect light and project it through the top of the stone, and will shine more noticeably. Diamond shapes include round, emerald, pear, heart, oval, princess, trillion and marquise

Color: Even though white diamonds are still the most popular, yellow diamonds are slowly gaining popularity. Diamonds are graded on a color scale by the Gemological Institute of America and it ranges from D, which is colorless, to Z, which is a light yellow. Although yellow diamonds have been popping up into diamond stores, the colorless diamonds are considered the best, which would be listed by the GIA as a D.

Clarity: Diamonds are all unique, and naturally occurring marks and fractions can be present on a diamond while it was forming. The GIA also has a clarity grading scale, which labels diamonds from having very slight flaws to having many flaws to them. The more inclusions found on a diamond, the less brilliantly it shines.

Carat Weight: Carat is the diamond’s measured weight, but it is not the diamond’s size. Because large diamonds are harder to find in nature, a one carat diamond will be more expensive than a ring holding 2 1/2 carats of diamonds. The shape of the diamond and the mounting of the ring will also make a diamond appear larger.

After taking the four C’s into consideration, buyers should trust themselves in picking the right diamond for the ring.

Diamond jewelry of all kinds became more and more popular in subsequent decades, but the industry fell on hard times in the 1930s, due to the Depression and its accompanying plummeting marriage rate. Soon the DeBeers diamond cartel had a surplus. “So they tried to promote the diamond engagement ring,” she says. DeBeers put New York’s N.W. Ayer advertising agency on the case, and in 1948 they hit pay dirt with the slogan “A Diamond Is Forever.” This hypnotic mantra has seduced America ever since, calling out from magazine and television ads, billboards, and bus shelters.

CUT
Cut should not be confused with a diamond’s shape.  Cut refers to the diamond’s reflective qualities and determines the brilliance and fire of a diamond.  The angles and finish of the cut establish the diamond’s ability to reflect light.

Proportions are key and will discern an Ideal cut from a Poor cut. Cut is graded in 5 steps from Ideal, to Fair and Poor.

* Ideal Cut – maximizes brilliance and is only used on round cut diamonds.
* Premium Cut – also maximizes brilliance and is almost equal to an Ideal Cut diamond, although most often priced lower.
* Very Good Cut – diamond cutters might stray from the preferred proportions of an Ideal Cut to maximize the size of the diamond.  These diamonds will reflect most light and produce a good deal of brilliance. They are priced lower than the Premium Cut.
* Good Cut – provide excellent cost-savings to customers as the diamond cutter has chosen to create the largest possible stone by sacrificing proportions, therefore compromising reflectivity.
* Fair and Poor Cuts – reflect only a small proportion of light.

CLARITY
Clarity refers to the natural flaws (inclusions) caused by gasses or minerals trapped in the diamond during its long formation period.  Truly flawless diamonds are extremely rare and account for about 1% of all stones.

Inclusions refer to air bubbles, cracks and non-diamond minerals in a diamond. Clarity is graded from Flawless to Included 3.

* F – Flawless
* IF – Internally Flawless. Some surface flaws.
* VVS1 – VVS2 – Very, Very, Slightly Included. Minute inclusions.
* VS1 – VS2 – Very Slightly Included. Inclusions detected with difficulty under 10x magnification.
* SI1 – SI2 – Slightly Included. Inclusions detected slightly more easily under 10x magnification.
* I1, I2, I3 – Included.  Inclusions visible to the naked eye.

It is not recommended to drop to the “I” grade clarity when purchasing a diamond. Your diamond clarity should be mapped out on a certificate that plots out the diamond’s inclusions.  This unique “fingerprint” is proof that the diamond purchased is the diamond received, and is different to an appraisal.

COLOUR
Colour refers to natural colour present in white diamonds.  The whiter the diamond, the more valuable it is because more light is able to pass through it which increases the sparkle and fire.

Diamonds are graded on a scale from D (colourless) to X (light yellow).

* D – F: Colourless
* G – I: Nearly Colourless
* J – L: Faint Yellow
* M – O: Very Light Yellow
* S – X: Light Yellow

D – F are the most valuable, but G – I show almost no colour to the untrained eye. Diamonds falling in the J – M category may appear slightly coloured to the naked eye.

Your choice of setting will impact the look of your diamond.  It is recommended to set higher quality diamonds in platinum or white gold to maximize their brilliance, whereas a yellow gold setting will off-set the discolouration in lower grade diamonds, thus making them appear whiter and more brilliant.

Fancy colour (pink, yellow, blue etc.) diamonds do not follow this grade classification. They are extremely rare and very valuable for their colour.

CARAT WEIGHT
Diamonds are measured in carats. A common mistake is to confuse Carat and Karat.  The former refers to diamond weight, and the latter refers to the purity of gold. One carat measures about 200 milligrams.  Larger diamonds are more rare and (depending on their Four C’s) will most likely be more expensive.

Bigger is not always better when you take the value in clarity, cut and colour into consideration.  If size is important to you, but your budget does not allow for a large diamond, try shopping for rings with multiple stones and a high combined carat count. Another way to buy on a budget is to look for diamonds that fall just short of the full carat – a 1.90 carat diamond will cost a lot less than a comparable 2.00 carat diamond – yet to the untrained eye, appears very similar in size.

An engagement ring with a sparkling stone is a wonderful gift. And what better sparkler can one find than a diamond. So are you getting ready to get down on your knees and tell your beloved that you love her? Well, you certainly cannot go wrong with a diamond ring. There really is something about diamonds that make a woman’s face light up. The advertisements on television are constantly playing on this power of the precious stone. Is it any wonder then, that diamonds are said to be a girl’s best friend. No matter what her age, every woman in the world is unable to resist the sparkling beauty of a diamond ring.

It should come as no surprise then that diamond sales are constantly increasing. Most of us may not be able to buy the classiest diamonds that the wealthier classes can buy. Those have to be kept aside for the Paris Hiltons of the world. However, there are large numbers of diamonds that are equally beautiful and which can be appreciated just as much if not more. We all know that no two snowflakes are alike. The same rule holds in the case of diamonds. Every diamond is a unique piece with characteristics that are entirely its own.

But what are the factors that set each stone apart from all the others? For that we will have to study the four Cs — cut, carat weight, color, and clarity. The higher the ratings for each of these, the greater will be the value of that diamond. Thus, before you whip out your credit card to purchase that beautiful diamond ring, you should make an attempt to understand these four Cs. Remember that you should be looking for diamonds that allow the greatest dispersion of light, and which are as clear as possible.

If you are on the lookout for the perfect diamond engagement ring, it would help to be familiar with the concept of the four Cs. Make sure you go to a diamond retailer with a good reputation. A number of retailers seek to raise the carat weight of a diamond, but as a compromise, end up reducing its sparkle. Do not let that happen. The greater the sparkle in a diamond, the greater will be the sparkle in the eyes of the person receiving the gift of a diamond. Look around a great deal before making a choice. Remember that diamonds are forever. So ensure that you are choosing a diamond that will make your beloved love you forever.

Its time to get the diamond ring, choose wisely because this will be the ring that you will wear for the rest of your life, choose a style that is timeless. First, the diamond shape you choose can help make your ring look like it’s worth a lot more than you really paid. When choosing the setting it depends on many different factors, find a setting that fits your personality. The quality of the diamond you choose is also important if you want an affordable engagement ring. The metal you choose will be very important.

When the experts talk about color of the stone they are referring to the yellowness of the stone, this is ranked on the GIA scale. It is very important than ever to consider quality when shopping for a diamond. The most popular style now is the tension setting, where the stone is held by pressure provided by the surrounding titanium.

Just make sure the cut isn’t obviously too shallow or deep. A diamonds cut can also affect its durability. The way the stone is cut will determine how much light is reflected in and out of the diamond, which is what makes it sparkle.

When you see rings with three stones it signifies the eternity of your relationship. The three stone diamond rings is normally given as engagement rings but it is now becoming popular to give them and engagement rings. The three stones in a diamond rings signifies your marriage and your relationship. The three stones in three stone diamond rings commemorate the eternity of your relationship. More men are wearing diamonds and men’s diamond rings are more in style now than they’ve ever been.

The measurement of diamonds is calculated in carats. A carat in a diamond is composed of many areas called points. Diamond carat is one of those popular “c’s” to consider when evaluating a diamond, and it’s a term used to describe how much the diamond weighs. A single diamond carat is equal to the weight of 200 milligrams. Today, few fine diamonds over one carat are sold without a diamond grading report (or certificate, as they are also called) from a respected laboratory.

There are many different shapes of diamonds, one of the most popular shapes are the round cut, solitaire cut, square cut, round produces the greatest brilliance when the light shines off of them. When the light reflects off of the diamond this is commonly referred to as brilliance. The diamond may have the perfect clarity and color, but its beauty can still be negatively affected if the cut is not properly made. There are many factors that is associated with the brilliance of a diamond, width, depth, and color.

Platinum rings are becoming very popular and many people are choosing it over gold. Platinum costs more than other metals but it lasts longer and has a brilliance all its own. Platinum rings are popular because of both their beauty and durability. Platinum is much stronger and heavier than gold.

To prove your diamond is a real diamond a certification is usually provided to prove the stone is authentic. If the diamond has no certificate there is no way of showing that the diamond is authentic and of quality.

An engagement ring is usually a very large investment for most of us. Therefore, it is recommended that the ring be appraised and insured. The appraisal can be done by a competent and qualified appraiser who works in the personal property field. This appraiser does not have to work independently of a jewelry store. They can be employed by a jewelry store and still perform appraisals for customers of the store and non customers. However, they must deliver an appraisal that represents the true market value of the jewelry and not necessarily the price paid in the store. Example: The store gives a customer a 10% discount on an item. The appraiser would then value the piece at the current market value (what a comparable item would sell for in the most common market) and not at the discounted price.

Some jewelers will sell a piece of jewelry for one price and then give you an appraisal for a much higher value. This practice, if not illegal, is certainly unethical and is frowned upon by all appraisal organizations. Anyone receiving an appraisal with a value that is extremely higher than what was paid for the piece should question the jeweler as to why this was done. If you buy insurance based on an inflated value then you will be over paying for your insurance. Most jewelry insurance is for Retail Replacement Value. This means that the insurance company is obligated to replace the item in like kind and quality. This does not mean that the insurance company will write you a check for the value stated on the appraisal. If you have a jewelry loss and choose to cash out, the insurance company will usually only pay you an amount equal to what they can replace the item for through their sources.

Most insurance companies do not require that an appraisal be from an independent appraiser although this is thought to be true by some in the industry. Assuming that you are insuring a diamond engagement ring the important factor for the insurance company is that it be accurately and completely described with the current market value. The appraisal should contain a reference to any Diamond Grading Report that might accompany the diamond, along with a complete description of the mounting into which the diamond is set. The insurance company will decide if they will insure the ring based on the description in the appraisal. Many insurance companies are now requiring that an appraisal be performed by a Graduate Gemologist with additional training in appraisal theory.

Most homeowner’s policies offer a jewelry coverage policy. You should check with your agent and ask what their requirements are. You should find out what they cover, and equally important, what they don’t cover. If you rent your home or apartment, it is possible to purchase a renter’s policy which can also include jewelry coverage. It is not necessary to have a homeowner’s policy. If you rent a home you can still get insurance.

Also, Jewelers Mutual offers a jewelry policy. This policy is not connected to your home or your apartment. This company offers Replacement Value only (meaning that they will replace your property with like kind and quality). You can replace your items anywhere you choose, but it’s usually done with the jeweler who you purchased the item from. You can speak to this company directly at 800-558-6411 and they will give you all the information that you need.

Chubb Insurance Company also offers a jewelry policy. They offer insurance through independent insurance agents and some retail jewelers. Chubb allows for you to cash out with the amount shown on the policy. No deductible. You can get more information by calling 1 908-903-2000.

There are of course many styles of rings available to buy today but not many of them are steeped in as much tradition as the snake ring.

Both exotic and unusual people looking to buy diamond snake rings usually have a good idea of what they are looking for and have already made their minds up that it is this particular style of ring they want.

Diamond snake rings are more popular than ever and are beautifully crafted exquisite pieces of jewelry. The shimmering diamonds along the body of the snake give the perfect reproduction of a snake in motion.

Some people are attracted to the mythic archetypal style of snake rings that represent time and eternity more often than not when the tail is being eaten by the head. This image is the Ouroboros, an ancient symbol showing a serpent eating its own tail. The symbol is believed to have been inspired by the Milky Way with ancient writings describing a serpent of light living amongst the heavens.

The circle, which is best depicted by this particular image, has always been an important symbol of ancient civilizations representing wholeness and perfection. The ring without beginning or end also represents the Sun, Moon and Universe.

Many different cultures including Christianity, Hinduism, Aztec, Norse and Chinese depict the image of the snake ring. In Greek Mythology snake rings were worn in honour of the Greek healing god Asclepius who was struck down by Zeus fearing Asclepius would transform all of mankind into immortals with his healing powers.

In the 19th Centaury the snake or serpent ring was very popular with ladies who found the style enticingly pleasing. The snake rings could be worn in conjunction with a serpent styled bangle, broach or hatpin. As well as diamond snake rings were embedded with rubies, sapphires and many other kinds of gemstones. The Victorians were heavily influenced by treasures gathered in Roman and Greek times. The replicated many of the nuances and were fascinated by their intricate distinctions. The popularity of the ring reached fever pitch when Queen Victoria herself chose the design of a gold sinuous snake, which was meant to give good luck.

Typically diamond snake rings would not be purchased as a wedding or engagement ring unless the future husband was absolutely sure his intended bride would approve. Diamond snake rings are not suited for everybody’s tastes and a surprise proposal would backfire horribly if the bride were expecting a more traditional style.

The snake ring is best given as a symbolic gesture of good fortune, good health, and as a loving gift to a partner where the ring is a protective charm and represents the union of the couple and their eternal and never ending love for one another.