The 'Perfect' Diamond Ring: Marketing Gimmick or Real Deal?
By
Tiffany Moore , Updated November 06, 2024
There has long been
a link between diamond rings and dedication, love, and a promise of forever. Whether it's a proposal or an anniversary, a sparkling, flawless stone seems irresistible. But what does it really mean to have a "perfect" diamond?
And is the quest for
perfection in diamond rings truly driven by genuine quality, or is it simply a marketing strategy to jack up prices?
Using perfection as a theme in diamond marketing is undoubtedly powerful. It was first De Beers that built a narrative around diamonds as the ultimate symbol of commitment. Despite not explicitly mentioning "perfection," the campaign emphasized the concept of timelessness and quality that cannot be replaced.
Below, we'll explore the idea of the “perfect” diamond, helping you understand whether perfection is a goal worth pursuing or simply a well-polished marketing gimmick. If you are considering a diamond purchase or just curious, this breakdown will shed some light on what is really behind the sparkle.
How to Choose The Perfect Diamond
In the pursuit of "the perfect diamond," everyone promises to find it. Many major brands portray flawless stones as the ultimate expression of love in their marketing campaigns. So when it comes to diamonds, what does "perfect" actually mean?
The idea of perfection is subjective, and we at Whiteflash truly understand that. Is it really possible to find the perfect diamond ring, or is it just a clever marketing ploy?
Spend some time reviewing the four Cs of diamond quality to understand what to look for. Diamond quality and price is determined largely by the
diamond 4C’s. Now let's take a closer look.
The Fundamentals: The 4Cs
In the diamond world, perfection is often measured by the 4 Cs:
cut,
color,
clarity, and
carat weight. These qualities certainly contribute to the beauty of a diamond, but they do not tell the whole story. To get the most value out of your engagement ring, you’ll want to understand what to look for in the various categories in which diamonds are graded.
It is true that a perfectly cut diamond maximizes brilliance and light output, but the perfect diamond for you may also take into account factors such as ethical sourcing, price, natural vs lab-grown and design.
For a truly high-quality diamond engagement ring, you need to begin with a certified diamond.
CERTIFIED DIAMONDS
1.088 F VS1 Round Ideal
A CUT ABOVE®
$8,650
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1.098 F VS1 Round Ideal
A CUT ABOVE®
$8,675
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0.905 H SI1 Round Ideal
A CUT ABOVE®
$3,750
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1.053 H SI1 Round Ideal
A CUT ABOVE®
$5,495
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The
emergence of lab grown diamonds over the last few years means you can now find a diamond of high quality for every budget. These are real diamonds that have essentially the same chemical, physical, and optical properties
as natural diamonds. Furthermore, they offer a significantly lower price.
Regardless of whether the diamond is natural or lab-created, make sure it is properly cut. When it comes to your engagement ring, you want it to
sparkle as much as possible!
Even if you have your hearts set on a larger diamond, if you pick out one with mediocre cut, color, and clarity, it will end up being lackluster in fire, brilliance, and overall beauty - despite its size. In contrast, going too high in certain areas can lead to paying a premium for no noticeable difference.
In regards to the setting style, choice of
precious metal, and the cut, color, and clarity of your diamond, you will have to think about what are absolute musts for your engagement ring. This personalisation, in our opinion, is what truly makes a diamond ring perfect.
Ultimately, where you put the priority is a personal choice, as well as what type of ring is best for your partner. However, we do have some advice to help you maximize the beauty of your engagement ring.
The advice here is generally aimed at finding a natural diamond in your budget, but the same guidance also pertains to lab grown diamonds which we will discuss in more detail below. The good news is that opting for a lab diamond does not require much in the way of quality compromises.
Beyond technical quality, many people consider the diamond's style, personal significance, and even ethical sourcing as part of what makes it truly perfect. In the end, it's about what feels right to you.
Cut quality:
The cut of a diamond is one factor that should not be compromised, regardless of budget. The fire and brilliance diamonds are known for will not be present in poorly cut diamonds, and they will appear dull and smaller than well cut diamonds of the same carat.
You should never overlook cut quality - as it might just be the thing that makes your
lower carat ring more beautiful and appear visually larger.
Color grade:
With diamond color, depending on your taste, your aim should be to pick out a diamond that appears white, colorless or near colorless - this will meet the conventional 'perfect' criteria more effectively.
This doesn’t mean you need to go with a
grade at the top of the scale (DEF) - it means taking into consideration your diamond’s cut, shape, metal choice and setting style and making a balanced compromise. For example,
setting your diamond in yellow or rose gold, you can drop several color grades (J to K range) and well-cut diamonds will still look white.
Despite a fairly substantial price difference, it is often difficult to notice the difference between one color grade and another with the naked eye. You might want to drop a few grades to spend more on a more eye-catching setting or a higher carat weight.
Clarity grade:
While the idea of perfection often brings to mind flawlessness, a diamond’s true "perfection" isn’t necessarily tied to having zero imperfections.
Clarity, for instance, reaches a point beyond which any additional flawlessness is invisible to the naked eye. This makes it possible to own a diamond that feels visually perfect without it needing to be technically "
flawless" - which represents fewer than 1% of high quality diamonds. And even flawless diamonds are only flawless under 10X. Higher magnification will reveal “flaws”!
Under normal viewing conditions, it will look no different from a diamond of significantly lower clarity grades, all other things being equal.
Simulated Representation of the Diamond Clarity Scale
When choosing a diamond, it’s more important to make sure it appears "eye-clean" - which means the diamond has no apparent inclusions or blemishes to the naked eye. Generally, VS1-VS2 is the sweet spot for this, but
you can find viable diamonds in the S1 categories too - each diamond needs evaluating on a case-by-case basis.
With SI1, you get a diamond that is at the top of the ‘Slightly Included’ category. If you choose an SI1 clarity diamond, you cannot guarantee that it will be eye-clean, so achieving the balance between brilliance and budget is more challenging.
For buyers, it is crucial to understand that every vendor has a different standard for eye-clean diamonds, which can result in disappointment if you haven’t done your due diligence. The clarity of an SI1 diamond should be considered stone by stone to take into account its uniqueness. This means that high-res
diamond imaging and 360 HD videos are essential for an accurate assessment online.
At Whiteflash, in addition to the
laboratory report, we provide advanced light performance imaging and HD videos for every fully vetted in-house diamond. In addition, we provide our customers with detailed eye-clean information about each diamond in a clear, concise manner.
The perfection of a diamond lies less in its absence of flaws and more in how it meets your expectations and desires.
With the help of our diamond experts, we have carefully examined your diamond to make sure there are no visible inclusions or ones that are detrimental to its light return, giving you peace of mind that your diamond will have full brilliancy.
Carat weight:
Carat is one of the most basic physical characteristics of a diamond, but there are a few things you should understand about it. Carat weight is not the same thing as size - although there is correlation - it refers to weight.
A carat is one fifth of a gram. It is possible for diamonds of the same carat weight to have very different dimensions based on how well they are proportioned and crafted.
We would recommend you opt for a
lab-grown diamond if carat weight is important to you and you’re on a set budget for your perfect diamond ring.
For example, a diamond utilizing 75% of a
$2500 engagement ring budget could range from 0.3 to even 1.5 carats, depending on whether it is natural or lab grown, the diamond’s shape, and its quality grades.
Carat weight can have a big impact on price, especially in natural diamonds.
The Fifth C – Certification
It’s recommended that you choose natural diamonds that have
GIA certifications. Having pioneered the identification and grading of lab grown diamonds,
IGI certification is also highly respected for lab grown diamonds. These internationally recognized laboratories are able to grade diamonds consistently and accurately.
Purchasing an in-house diamond from Whiteflash takes care of all the analytical work for you. With each diamond, you can be confident that it has been graded by only the most reputable laboratories, and that additional evaluations have been done by the Whiteflash team.
By understanding these characteristics, you will be an informed buyer, avoiding some of the pitfalls of diamond shopping and ensuring that you get the perfect diamond ring you want for the price you want.
Answering Your Perfect Diamond Ring FAQs
What actually matters in a diamond?
A "perfect" diamond is often defined by the 4 Cs: cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. But beyond technical quality, many people consider the diamond's style, personal significance, and even sourcing as part of what makes it truly perfect. Ultimately, it all comes down to what feels right for you.
For those shopping elite level natural diamonds, the
A CUT ABOVE® Super Ideal is a world class diamond brand. These gems are in-stock, fully vetted and visible, and immediately available exclusively from Whiteflash. The
full specifications and qualifications for the brand are published on the website, and each diamond comes with a comprehensive assurance package. It is likely that you are thinking of these diamonds when you think of 'perfect'.
Are lab-grown diamonds just as good as natural diamonds?
Lab-grown diamonds are essentially chemically and physically identical to natural diamonds and can offer the same “perfect” look at a fraction of the cost.
What kind of diamonds does Whiteflash offer?
Leading diamond experts, jewelers, craftsmen, and professionals make up the Whiteflash Team. They are dedicated to providing diamond shoppers with all the information needed to find the diamond that is perfect for you.
- A CUT ABOVE® is our flagship brand of Super Ideal diamonds. They include Princess cut and Round Hearts & Arrows diamonds, cut with optimum alignment of all facets for unparalleled light performance, fire and brilliance. A CUT ABOVE® is internationally recognized as one of the elite diamonds in the world.
- Our Expert Selection brand also consists of precision cut diamonds, many of which just missed qualifying for A CUT ABOVE®. In many cases the difference is technical and the diamond’s visual performance is equivalent to our top brand.
- To provide our customers with a full range of choices for their diamond purchase, Whiteflash now offers the finest quality certified laboratory grown diamonds in our Precision Lab brand. This brand is characterized by precision cutting of the finest available lab grown rough available.
In addition to our branded diamonds, Whiteflash offers a large selection of other diamonds in a variety of shapes and price points.
Can I achieve “perfection” within my budget?
Without a doubt! With the right knowledge, it’s possible to find a beautiful, high-quality diamond within almost any budget. By balancing the 4 Cs, exploring lab-grown options, or choosing a more basic setting, you can achieve a stunning ring without overspending.
Your perfect diamond ring doesn’t have to break the bank. By choosing diamonds that are near-colorless, eye-clean, and focusing on cut quality, you can find a ring that’s as beautiful as it is budget-friendly.
Diamonds from Whiteflash are available across a range of budgets, with options for maximizing value and aesthetics without sacrificing quality.
How should I care for my diamond ring to keep it looking perfect?
To keep your diamond ring looking perfect, consistent care is essential. Regular cleaning helps maintain its natural sparkle, as oils and dirt can dull its shine over time.
Keep your ring shining with regular cleanings with a mild soap solution and soft brush, as well as occasional professional cleanings. To prevent scratching, keep it separated from other diamond jewelry when not in use.
The professional cleanings, recommended every 6 to 12 months, are vital to maintaining the ring's security and to deep clean the stone. There are professional level at-home products available for the DIYer.
Should I buy a diamond ring online or in-store?
The benefits of online shopping include convenience, better prices, and more selection, while the benefits of buying diamonds in-store are that you can see the diamond's sparkle first hand. Some online retailers provide showrooms, virtual consultations , guarantees and return policies for added peace of mind.
Whiteflash is dedicated to providing top quality products at the most competitive prices and delivering exceptional customer service. Our mission is to provide a safe, secure shopping experience where customers can feel confident in their purchases. This includes high-definition imagery and videos so you can see your diamond in all its glory.
In addition to these assurances, our great customers worldwide say it best. There are reviews from consumers posted all over the internet including many independent review sites. You can also
read testimonials by real customers with pictures of the jewelry we have made for them posted on the Whiteflash website.
Discover Diamond Engagement Rings with Whiteflash
While "perfection" in diamonds is often a combination of marketing and meticulous craftsmanship, Whiteflash believes that every diamond can be perfect when it reflects what’s most meaningful to you.
As an industry-leading diamond jeweler,
Whiteflash is committed to assisting you in finding a ring that symbolizes your eternal love and commitment. You can be confident that you will receive exceptional service and guidance throughout the diamond ring buying process.
At Whiteflash, we specialize in offering exquisite engagement rings and providing unparalleled customer service. Visit our showroom or browse our online collection to find the perfect engagement ring - let us be your partners in finding the perfect ring.
The premier destination for exceptional diamonds and exquisite craftsmanship, Whiteflash celebrates your love. Choosing the perfect engagement ring to symbolize your eternal bond and capture hearts for generations to come would be our greatest honor.