The classic round brilliant is one of the most popular diamond shapes. A brilliant is specifically a round-shaped, high-quality diamond that stands out for its unique cut, exceptional light reflection, and gemstone value.
When evaluating diamond properties, it is important to consider their clarity, color, cut, and rarity. The clearer, more color-vibrant, and more perfectly cut a diamond is, the higher its value. The brilliant stands out because, due to its specific cut, it sparkles more and attracts more attention than other diamond shapes.
What is a diamond
A diamond is not only one of the world’s most famous gemstones but also a special symbol with many meanings. Every diamond is unique – its characteristics depend on how it was formed in nature over millions of years. Diamonds are valued for their exceptional quality, color, clarity, and shape. They can come in various shapes – from the classic round brilliant to expressive oval, pear, or emerald shapes. Diamonds can also come in different colors: from completely colorless to yellowish, pink, or even black, with each shade giving the stone its own uniqueness.
A diamond is one of the hardest known minerals, so it not only fascinates with its brilliance but also features longevity. Due to these properties, diamonds are used not only as jewelry but also as an investment – their value often grows over time. Each diamond has its own story, determined by its origin, clarity, color, and shape. For this reason, diamonds are valued not only for their beauty but also for their uniqueness and lasting value.
A diamond is not just a sparkling stone, but also a long-term investment symbolizing love, beauty, and lasting value. A diamond is one of the most valuable types of gemstones – gemstones include not only diamonds but also colored stones like sapphires, rubies, or emeralds. However, many buyers believe that to acquire a quality diamond, one must spend enormous amounts. In fact, by knowing a few secrets, one can save up to 30–40% without losing quality or aesthetics. We share six professional tips that will help you choose the perfect gemstone at a reasonable price.
1. WEIGHT – CARAT IS NOT EVERYTHING
One carat (1 ct) is a 0.2-gram weight unit used to measure diamonds. However, it is worth knowing that price jumps start at “psychological boundaries.” The price of diamonds was and is determined by carat limits and other quality parameters. For example:
- A 0.45 ct diamond will cost significantly less than a 0.50 ct one, although the difference is almost invisible to the eye.
- The same applies to 0.90 ct and 1.00 ct – the price difference can reach up to several hundred euros.
Therefore, if you aim to save, choose a diamond with a slightly lower carat weight – visually it will look the same, but since price is one of the most important criteria when choosing a diamond, it will cost significantly less this way.
2. SIZE – NOT ONLY CARATS BUT ALSO PROPORTIONS MATTER
Don’t be fooled – carats do not mean the size of the diamond. It is only weight, not the physical diameter of the stone. Two diamonds with the same carat weight can look completely different because their appearance varies due to different proportions. For example, a 1 ct diamond with imperfect proportions might look like a 0.85 ct, while a well-cut 0.85 ct can look like a 1 ct.
When buying, it is worth paying attention to the diamond’s millimeter size, table (top surface area), and depth percentage (depth %). A balanced stone will visually sparkle more brightly and look larger than its real weight, as brilliance and size vary depending on proportions.
3. SETTING – THE JEWELER’S MASTERY CAN SAVE YOU MONEY
Even a perfect diamond will lose its charm if it is improperly set. The setting method and the jeweler’s experience determine how the gemstone will look.
A professional craftsman can design a ring so that a 0.30 ct diamond looks like a 0.50 ct. To achieve this, an appropriate setting height is chosen, open to light entry, and a subtle facet angle is used to highlight the diamond’s sparkle.
Meanwhile, an inexperienced jeweler can ruin even the most expensive stone – a poor setting dampens the sparkle, and imprecise processing can damage the brilliant. Therefore, it is worth choosing reliable jewelry houses where professional jewelers work, such as Fashion Gold.
4. CLARITY – NO VISIBLE DIFFERENCE, BUT FELT IN THE PRICE
A diamond’s clarity grade indicates how many internal inclusions or surface blemishes the stone has. Clarity, color, and other factors determine a diamond’s value.
Popular categories:
- VVS – extremely clean stones (almost no inclusions).
- VS and SI1 – have small inclusions, but you won’t see them with the naked eye.
Therefore, if your budget is limited, an SI1 clarity diamond is an excellent choice. It is important to mention that even a diamond of a lower clarity grade can look great.
For example, instead of a 0.50 ct VVS, you can purchase a 0.70 ct SI1 – a larger and visually just as sparkling stone.
A properly polished SI1 diamond will sparkle no less than a top-grade one but will cost significantly less.
5. CUT – YOU DON’T ALWAYS NEED “IDEAL”
Diamond cut (Cut) – one of the most important parameters determining the play of light. A round brilliant is the most popular diamond cut, featuring maximum light reflection.
Cut grades: Excellent (Ideal), Very Good, Good. Brilliants are evaluated based on these criteria.
If you want to save, feel free to choose “Very Good” instead of “Excellent.” Only a professional will see the difference, but the price difference will be obvious.
A properly selected cut allows light to reflect maximally, making the diamond look alive, bright, and sparkling even without additional lighting.
6. SHAPE – DARE TO BE DIFFERENT
Diamond shape also affects the price. The most popular is the brilliant, round shape (Round Brilliant), but it is also the most expensive. Round diamonds, called brilliants, feature exceptional sparkle and often cost more due to their popularity. The price of brilliants can be up to 30% higher than other shapes due to higher demand.
Want to stand out and save? Choose cushion, oval, pear, emerald, or radiant shaped diamonds and other stone shapes. Such a choice of diamonds and other shapes allows for savings, and the stones look impressive with unique sparkle.
Additionally, colored diamonds (e.g., champagne, yellowish, or even black) often cost less than completely colorless ones, yet they provide uniqueness and character to your jewelry.
WHERE YOU CANNOT SAVE – THE DIAMOND CERTIFICATE
It is not worth saving everywhere. One area where there can be no compromises is the certificate. Only certified diamonds ensure quality and authenticity. The certificate proves that the diamond is authentic, accurately graded, and of legal origin.
Never buy a diamond without a certificate, as in that case, it will be impossible to verify its true value or properties. The best-regarded laboratories in the world are:
- GIA (Gemological Institute of America) – the highest standard of precision.
- HRD (Hoge Raad voor Diamant) – the European leader.
- IGI (International Gemological Institute) – often used for lab-grown diamonds.
“Fashion Gold” jewelry house works with all these laboratories but relies most on GIA certificates. Why? Because this GIA certificate is the most reliable, as GIA grading criteria are the strictest in the world. If GIA indicates a color H, other laboratories might grade the same stone as F–G, so you are realistically paying for a lower-grade stone while thinking it is higher.
Investment opportunities: is it worth choosing a diamond as an investment?
Diamonds are valued for their quality, color, clarity, and shape, but they are also considered a reliable investment. Since diamond formation in nature takes millions of years, every diamond is unique and rare, which determines their market value. Diamonds can be an investment because their value often increases over time, especially if you choose high-quality, certified stones.
You can choose various diamonds for investment: certified diamonds, fancy color diamonds, or even lab-grown diamonds, which have become increasingly popular recently. Each diamond has its advantages – fancy diamonds stand out for their color and rarity, while lab-grown diamonds allow for the purchase of a larger stone at a more affordable price. The most important thing is to choose diamonds valued for their quality, color, clarity, and shape, as these criteria determine long-term investment value.
Diamonds are also a symbol that carries many meanings – they are passed down from generation to generation, become family heirlooms, and remain valuable even after many years. If you are looking not only for beauty but also for a reliable investment, a diamond can be an excellent choice for your portfolio.
PROFESSIONAL ADVICE
When choosing a diamond, consult with a gemologist or an experienced jeweler – among these specialists, you can find the best advice. Sometimes a few percentage points of difference in specifications can mean hundreds of euros in price change, even if it won’t be visually noticeable.
If you are considering which diamond to choose – natural or lab-grown – it is worth knowing that lab-grown diamonds have identical physical properties to natural ones but cost up to 70% less.
WHERE TO FIND PROFESSIONAL HELP
You can discuss all questions about diamonds, their properties, origin, and prices in a personal consultation.
Visit the “Fashion Gold” jewelry house at Pamėnkalnio g. 5, Vilnius, where you will be greeted by gemstone specialist Julija Gerlich.
Register via email: info@fashiongold.lt
A diamond is more than just jewelry. It is an emotion, an investment, and an eternal symbol. You can save smartly – by knowing where it’s worth looking for alternatives and where it’s better not to experiment.
Follow these tips and choose your dream diamond, which will not only sparkle but also remind you that true beauty lies in wise choices.
