Engagement Ring Trends in 2023

In recent years, there have been several trends in engagement ring styles:

Rose gold: This warm-toned metal has become increasingly popular as an alternative to traditional yellow and white gold.

Mixed metal: Some couples are opting for engagement rings that feature a combination of different metal colors, such as white and yellow gold or rose gold and white gold.

Halo setting: This setting features a center diamond or gemstone surrounded by smaller diamonds, which creates the illusion of a larger, more sparkly center stone.

Three-stone setting: This setting features a larger center diamond or gemstone flanked by two smaller side stones, which represents the couple's past, present, and future.

Alternative gemstones: Some couples are choosing engagement rings with colored gemstones, such as sapphires, emeralds, or morganite, instead of a traditional diamond.

Minimalistic Design: Some people prefer a simple and elegant design with less ornamentation and a stronger focus on the quality of the diamond.

Sustainable and Ethical: Diamonds that are mined and processed in an environmentally friendly and socially responsible way are more in demand. The demand for lab-grown diamonds has been increasing as they are considered more environmentally friendly and ethically sound.

What makes one diamond more valuable than another?

There are many factors that come into play when considering the value or pricing of diamonds. Size, which is actually carat weight, and the quality of the diamond in terms of cut, color and clarity are the primary drivers of price. Each of these 4c's have a direct impact on the value of all natural diamonds, primarily because of rarity.

Carat weight factors into price most heavily for the simple fact that the bigger the diamond, the rarer it is. For example, there are millions of 1 carat diamonds available around the world, but significantly fewer 10 carat diamonds. The larger the stone, the less likely mining operations are to find and extract these gems.

The remaining determiners of price and value are the quality factors. The better the cut, color and clarity, the rarer the diamond and they command a premium. There are also other factors, such as certification. What laboratory grades the diamond and issues a certificate can have an impact. GIA is the most trusted and respected institution in this space giving buyers the satisfaction that the diamond is indeed of the quality being represented.

What is most important when buying a diamond

This is a great question that is often asked by diamond shoppers. Without question, the most important factor in a diamond's brilliance is cut, which is one of the 4C's.

You can buy a colorless (white) diamond, that is of flawless clarity, but if it is cut poorly, it will be dull and lifeless. The cut grade represents how the facets have been cut, the angles created and the overall depth of the diamond. Diamonds sparkle because they are designed to return light to it's source.

When a diamond is well cut, lights enters through to top (the table), bounces around the facets in the bottom half (the pavilion) and return back out of the top creating the sparkle and scintillation that makes them beautiful. However, if it is poorly cut, facets are misaligned, or the pavilion is too deep, light will leak out of the bottom and sides and the brilliance we come to expect will be muted and unimpressive.

When you search for a loose diamond, start with an excellent or ideal cut and then adjust the color, clarity and carat weight to fit your budget. You and your partner will end up with a product that you will keep staring at for years to come!

Diamond Prices Index Update - 230.3 UP 7.6

On Tuesday, March 1, 2022 the diamond prices index rose by 7.6 points to 230.3, representing an average rise in retail diamond prices of 7.6%. This is the third consecutive month of skyrocketing prices which comes as no surprise as we face unprecendented inflationary pressures across most industries. Add to this, the Russian invasion of Ukraine will likely contribute to futher pricing pressures in the near future.

Brian Gavin Diamonds Joins Our Search

We are pleased to announce a new participant in the Diamond Search Engine. Brian Gavin Diamonds who specializes in Super Ideal Cut Hearts & Arrows diamonds is now listed within our loose diamond search results.

With a large selection of loose diamonds online as well as Custom Engagement Rings and Designer Engagement Rings, Brian Gavin Diamonds offers 12 years of online experience in the retail diamond jewelry business.

Eternity Diamonds Joins The Diamond Search Engine

We are proud to have added Eternity Diamonds to our price comparison database. For more information about the unique service they offer, please see this press release:

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bridal-jewelry-site-offers-exclusive-try-it-before-you-buy-it-program-78761122.html

Lumera Diamonds Joins The Diamond Search Engine

We are pleased to announce another addition to the Diamond Search Engine's comprehensive diamond comparison database. Lumera Diamonds offers customers a large assortment of certified diamonds at competitive prices.

In addition to offering loose diamonds for sale, Lumera gives visitors the opportunity to learn about the 4 C's of diamonds and a comprehensive tutorial about how to buy a diamond.

Visit LumeraDiamonds.com today or compare their diamonds side by side with other jewelers around the web using our loose diamonds search engine.