How to choose a solitaire: 3 tips for buying the perfect jewel

A gold ring with a single precious stone, almost always a diamond: it is the solitaire ring, the traditional engagement gift or for a special occasion. Precisely because of its high symbolic value, especially in the case of the promise of marriage, it is important to know which aspects to consider choose a solitaire. Here are the 3 fundamental tips for a safe and valuable purchase.

1. Know about diamonds

Although other stones can be used, the great classic of the solitaire ring is the Diamond, one of the most precious gems. The reason is in its origin: it is a mineral, composed solely of carbon, which was formed more than a billion years ago more than 200 kilometers below the earth's surface. Subsequently, volcanic activity transported the diamonds to the more superficial layers, inside a rock called kimberlite. Most of the diamonds are extracted from these deposits.

Although they exist in different colors, from the so-called fancy color to the very rare black diamond, the traditional diamond is the best known and appreciated for its transparency and brilliance. For choose a solitaire it is therefore advisable to start from the characteristics that establish the value of the diamond, or the famous "4 Cs".

The 4 Cs of the diamond to choose a solitaire

It is the universal method to uniquely evaluate the quality of a diamond, anywhere in the world. It was conceived in the 40s by Robert Shipley, founder of the American Gemological Institute (GIA), the most authoritative international body for the certification of diamonds. The 4 Cs refer to the initials of the English terms colour, clarity, cut, carat, which are precisely the fundamental elements for evaluating a diamond and therefore for choose a solitaire. Let's see them in detail.

Color (color)

Evaluating the color of a diamond actually means evaluating its absence of color: the more a diamond is colorless and transparent, the more its value increases. The universal color scale uses the letters of the alphabet and begins with the letter D. Diamonds classified as D, E, F are colorless and very rare; from G to J are "almost colorless" and are the ones most used in jewelry. Diamonds from K to Z, on the other hand, show a color that gradually becomes less transparent and more tending towards yellow.
Clarity (purity)

The purity of a diamond is closely related to the origin of this stone, born in the depths of the earth as a result of temperatures over 1000°C and extremely strong pressure. Because of this process, diamonds can often show typical "inclusions" within themselves, as well as external "blemishes". Evaluating clarity therefore means establishing which and how many inclusions and imperfections there are in a diamond and how much they affect the general appearance of the gem. If they are not visible at 10x magnification, the diamond is classified FL (Flawless), i.e. "flawless".
Cut

The brilliance of the diamond depends on the cut, which does not concern the shape given to the stone, but the number, proportions and symmetry of the facets created on its surface to interact with light. For this reason, among the 4 Cs it is the most difficult to evaluate from a technical point of view.
Carat (carat)

The carat does not measure the size of the diamond, but its weight: one carat equals 0,20 grams. Naturally, the heavier a diamond is, the larger it is and therefore of greater value. On the other hand, two diamonds of the same carat can have one value, and therefore a price, very different on the basis of the other Cs, i.e. color, clarity and cut.

2. Buy certified and ethical diamonds

The safest way to be sure of choose a solitaire of value is to rely on a professional. In fact, it is important that the diamond has a certificazione official reporting the characteristics of the stone; this document becomes essential when you want to take out insurance or resell the diamond.

Furthermore, the certification guarantees the ethical sourcing of diamonds, i.e. that their extraction does not have negative impacts on the environment and local populations and that it is not intended to finance wars or acts of terrorism.

3. Choose a custom solitaire game

choose a solitaire it is necessary to start from the person who will wear it: once the diamond has been chosen, the setting will enhance it and give personality to the jewel. The best way is to create a personalized jewelry, with a frame designed and made to measure, choosing materials and shapes. Also in this case the suggestion is to rely on expert designers who will be able to create the perfect solitaire for every need.