Buying a 1 Carat Diamond Ring

Selecting any piece of fine jewelry isn’t something to do on a whim, especially if it includes a sizeable gemstone. Here’s what to look for when buying a 1 carat diamond ring.

When you’re in the market for a 1 carat diamond ring, it’s essential to understand the quality of the diamond you’re considering. The 4 Cs of diamonds can provide valuable information to help you make an informed decision:

Color actually refers to a lack of color when it comes to high-quality diamonds. The Gemological Institute of America likens the highest quality diamonds to a drop of pure water with no hue whatsoever. Color is indicated on a D-to-Z scale, with D indicating a colorless diamond and subsequent letters indicating increasing amounts of color.
Clarity refers to the lack of flaws, known as inclusions. The flaws of diamonds with slight inclusions are invisible to the naked eye, but those of stones with more significant inclusions will be visibly noticeable.
Cut can signify both the shape of the diamond and the skill with which it was cut. The cut affects the way a diamond reflects light, and a diamond that is more skillfully cut will appear more brilliant.
Carat refers to diamond size. If you’re already looking for a 1 carat diamond ring, you’ve already determined which size you’d like, but be sure to find out if “1 carat” refers to the total weight of all the stones in the ring or the weight of one stone if you’re looking at rings with multiple diamonds.

One of the most important factors in buying a 1 carat diamond ring (or any diamond ring) is to choose a jeweler that you trust. Be sure you’re aware of a retailer’s customer service policies before you buy, including their return policy and any warranties they offer. Look for a jeweler that’s willing to stand behind what they sell by the service they offer. For example, Apples of Gold offers a 45-day return policy and a 90-day warranty on all jewelry, as well as a 365-day warranty on all wedding bands.

Price is also an important factor when buying a 1 carat diamond ring. While any diamond ring of quality will cost more than mere pennies, do your homework to make sure that you’re getting a good value. Apples of Gold is committed to value pricing and by eliminating the middle man, they’re able to set their prices an average of 40 percent lower than average retail prices.

Selecting a 1 carat diamond ring is no small decision! However, by considering the 4 Cs, as well as the jeweler and the price, you can buy with confidence.