It is a common misconception that all diamonds are clear. This may be because from a distance, such stones generally do seem to be colourless.

However, in actual fact, the gems used to make diamond engagement rings, pendant earrings, diamond wedding rings and other such items range in colour.

Indeed, completely clear diamonds are relatively rare.

In reality, most such items that are classified as being within the normal colour range have hints of yellow and brown in them.

There are also pink, red, green, blue and even black diamonds available to be purchased.

Because of their rarity, some of these objects come with a hefty price tag.

The colour of diamonds can be observed more clearly when the objects are not embedded in metal.

However, when it comes to stones in the normal range, it can be very difficult for the untrained eye to spot the difference.

Generally speaking, if all other factors are the same, a clearer diamond will be worth more than one that is coloured.

How much attention you choose to pay to such issues is entirely up to you.

You may think it is pointless splashing out on a clear stone when there are cheaper ones available that are slightly coloured.

After all, if you cannot tell the difference without expert help, it is hardly going to reduce the pleasure and attention you receive as a result of wearing the item.

Of course, if you are a perfectionist you may think it is worth spending the additional cash.

There are four Cs to that are used as a measure of quality in diamonds and to a lesser degree other brilliant gemstones like sapphires, rubies, and emeralds. They are Cut, Colour, Clarity, and Carat. In this blog post we’re going to discuss cut, and in a few minutes you should have found out a little of what you need to know about choosing the right diamond cut for gold wedding rings or any other piece of jewellery.

Cut is what it says on the box – the way the stones are cut. It isn’t just about the shape – round, teardrop, square, and oval are the most common for diamonds – but a matter of symmetry and getting the optimal angle between facets. The facets are the individual flat faces on the stone, and the way they are arranged makes a huge difference in the amount of light gathered into the interior of the stone and refracted around. That’s what makes a precious gem sparkle, and a medium quality stone with a skilfully designed and executed cut will shine brighter than a better stone poorly cut.

Once upon a time, the only tool for cutting a diamond was another diamond, which restricted the complexity of the cut. However, we can now cut even diamonds with a laser, and computers can be used to guide that laser with very high precision. Mathematical analysis has been used to devise and test new and more elaborate cuts than ever before, so today’s diamonds sparkle more than ever before.

Diamonds vary through a surprising range of colours. Although the classic and the one that comes to mind immediately (especially when considering engagement, wedding, and eternity rings) is the perfectly colourless or white diamond, there are pinks, blues, greens, and yellowish ‘champagne’ stones around. In fact, 27 different colours are officially recognised. The colours are caused by faint impurities in the carbon that makes up the crystal or deformities in the shape of the atomic lattice.

The concept of colour is different from clarity. Think of the cellophane plastic lens on a pair of 3D goggles. They are perfectly clear, but one is red and the other green. Having a hint of colour certainly does not mean a diamond is of poorer quality, because it is clarity that counts for most purposes, not whiteness. In fact, other colours are generally rarer, so may be very expensive and only included in the most outstanding quality diamond pendant earrings and diamond rings. Many of the world’s most valuable diamonds have a tint of some shade.

On the other hand, some tinted stones are altered too much by the colouring effect and clarity and quality of diamonds can be adversely affected, so a strong colour doesn’t guarantee a good stone or a high price. Some times colour is a considered a drawback and an impurity, other times a feature.

Choose any gemstone based on quality, but also by the desired effect. If the woman who you would like to be your fiancee likes pink, for example, a pink diamond engagement ring is absolutely ideal.

When it comes to engagement rings, you can opt for a larger diamond than the traditional, standard size usually chosen. These are also available in the Asscher or Radiant cut, which are of square-topped shapes.

The colour of the ring

You will also need to decide what colour and metal you wish to have the band of your engagement or wedding rings. Most rings will either come as platinum, white or yellow gold bands.

The colour of the diamonds

Diamonds can come in several different colours, including red and blue but these can be incredibly pricey. With your traditional diamond, however, these are also split into colour bands depending on how colourless or tinted the diamond is. Most people wrongly assume that the diamond in their jewellery is colourless, when in fact colourless diamonds are rare and very expensive. Thus most people will have a mid-ranged diamond that is almost colourless. The more tinted a diamond, the more yellow it appears, but again the more tinted the more harder they are to come across and of course, they will be more expensive.

The carat of the diamond

Carats are the weight measurements for diamonds, and generally, the bigger the carat the more expensive the diamond. One carat is equal to 0.2 grams. However, it is not always true that the carat weight will provide the most expense to your diamond as all of the other features of your diamond will add to this, e.g. clarity.

Evidently, there is a lot to think about when it comes to opting for unique engagement rings, which is why we at Marlows Certified Diamonds are here to help you make your decision and to find the right diamond for you.