Diamond pieces are arguably still the most popular choice when it comes to bridal jewelery. It is after all an enduring symbol of love.

CHOOSING A DIAMOND

Cut

A well-cut diamond will reflect light from side-to-side, back to the eye so it seems to dazzle with fiery brilliance. If the stone is cut too shallow, light escapes through the bottom; if it’s too deep then light escapes through the sides. In both instances the diamond will loose its sparkle.

Carat

Carat is the standard measure of a diamond’s weight so the larger the diamond, the higher its carat. However, size isn’t everything as two diamonds of the same carat can still look very different depending on their cut, clarity and color.

Color

Diamonds come in a myriad of colors from colorless to yellowish and brownish to the really rare like pink, blue, green, red and so on. In general, the more colorless a diamond, the higher its value because it allows light to pass through easily, dispersing a rainbow of colors upon exit.

However, that doesn’t mean fancy colored diamonds are worthless! Natural colored diamonds are rare and therefore more expensive than colorless diamonds.

Clarity

Natural imperfections in diamonds are called ‘inclusions’. The lesser the inclusions, the more valuable the diamond. A stone will be graded according to the size, number, position, nature and color of these inclusions. Clarity also refers to transparency. A good stone should not be milky or cloudy because this will limit the amount of light it can reflect.

Shape

Commonly confused with the cut of the stone, shape refers to the appearance of the diamond. The common shapes are round, princess, trilliant, heart, oval,emerald, marquise and radiant. The round diamond is the most traditional and popular of all diamond shapes around the world. It gives out the best fire and scintillation compared to other cuts.

SETTINGS

Choosing the right setting to flaunt your stone is a matter of personal preference but there are certain limiting factors. The shape of the stone will narrow the field in terms of settings, since settings are designed with a particular shape in mind.

Some factors you’ll need to consider include the design of the band, number and combination of  stones and overall style. Personally, I believe the diamond should always be the center of attraction. The setting should be simple to show off the diamond to its best effect.

As diamonds are traditionally valued for the degree of whiteness, white metals such as platinum or white gold with claw or pron settings are most flattering. The claw settings bring out the brilliance of the gemstone.

CARING FOR DIAMONDS

A perfect wedding ring by Tiffany & Co.

Diamonds may be the hardest material on earth but that doesn’t mean it won’t be damaged. Avoid knocking against hard surfaces as this can cause chipping. For a thorough cleaning, drop your diamond off at a jeweller, who will use an ultrasonic cleanser to shake off accumulated dirt. If the stone is worn regularly, have it cleaned every three to six months; otherwise, a yearly cleaning would be sufficient. Store each diamond piece separately in sift pouches to avoid scratches or damage.