Although you might not know it, diamond rings have only been commercially available for a century. Diamond mines in late 1800s South Africa democratized access to these gems, previously reserved for the wealthy and royals.
It was the jeweler De Beers that gave the diamond ring its current status as a symbol of eternal love. Their exceptional 1947 marketing campaign ‘a diamond is forever’ changed the social attitude toward diamonds from an unattainable luxury to a romantic necessity. This placed an emotional value on diamond investment that is still prevalent today.
Diamond engagement rings
This association with love led to diamonds becoming the gemstone of choice for engagement rings of all styles, with contemporary celebrities also investing in the trend. Grace Kelly’s 10-carat Cartier stone was eclipsed by Elizabeth Taylor’s 33-carat Krupp Diamond during her engagement to Richard Burton.
This trend may have stemmed from a clever marketing campaign, but diamonds are actually a fantastic choice for engagement rings. Diamonds’ exceptional durability suits daily-worn jewelry, boasting stunning beauty and remarkable light performance. The dazzling sparkle of a diamond never fails to inspire desire.
Diamonds are also highly versatile.
Diamonds shine in diverse ring settings, serving as a central gem or complementing other stones. You can find diamonds of various colors, from the classic white to pink and yellow shades. Additionally, diamonds are adaptable in terms of cut, and can be shaped in several different ways without spoiling their sparkle.
Contrary to popular belief, diamond rings come in various price ranges, catering to all budgets. You don’t need to buy a blinder like the stones worn by celebrities to demonstrate your love with a diamond.
Understanding diamond value
Diamond value is determined by a special rating system known as the 4 Cs. These are:
- Carat – how much the diamond weighs, which does not always correlate with size.
- Clarity – the purity of the diamond, taking into account any inclusions (visible characteristics within the gemstone) and blemishes (any external flaws).
- Color – a measurement of how transparent (confusingly referred to as ‘white’) the diamond is, with no color being the most valuable.
- Cut – how the diamond has been shaped, focusing on symmetry and light interaction between the facets.
The cut is the most important aspect when you are choosing a diamond ring because this has the biggest influence on the appearance of the diamond. A great cut such as the coveted round brilliant will maximise the brilliance of the stone while the long rectangles of an emerald cut may dull the stone’s fire.
