The Ultimate Guide to Buying a Half Carat Diamond Engagement Ring

From the perfect engagement ring you’ve been pining over to a milestone anniversary, or building a pair of killer diamond studs — you have to understand what you’re paying for.

So we simplified things and briefly broke down the things you need to remember when searching for your perfect diamond.

Rings have always had great significance in history till present. Every common person, the peasants and the royals wore rings to represent a bond of trust and love. Engagement rings were even seen as a marking of wealth and fortune by some. That the one proposing with the best engagement ring will keep their partner the happiest and was wedded on that basis.

Budget That Keeps You Happy

The budget: well, it’s the first and the most important factor that determines what your range of options of rings will be. A wedding is an expensive affair to host in itself, and so it wouldn't be bad to set your budget first to avoid hurting your pocket too much. There are engagement rings at every price and budget from which you can choose a design.

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What are the 4Cs of diamonds? 

All diamonds are rated using the 4Cs system, which is used universally around the globe to score diamond quality. Cut, Colour, Carat and Clarity constitute them.

What’s in the Cut?

Actually an aspect of grading a diamond, the cut on the diamond. The cut is what determines how the diamond’s angles and facets will allow the light in, and shine through, and make the diamond unique. Shape however refers to the actual shape of the diamond – round, square, pear, marquise, cushion, heart, emerald and radiant. 

What’s a Carat?

The physical weight of the stone expressed in metric carats is a carat. 200 milligrams equals one carat. Remember that two carats of diamonds can look very different depending on how they are cut. Some diamond shapes have more of their weight in the stone cut shallow and others require more depth in the stone. The carat weight could be the same although the style of cutting will affect the entire appearance of the diamond.

How much should you spend on an engagement ring? How much should one spend?

So there’s no straightforward answer to this. That’s all relative, it depends on you and your partner and how much you want to invest. Stick to using a quality diamond to buy a quality engagement ring, and experiment with the types, styles, and settings of the engagement ring to match your budget. The 4Cs are the perfect trade off between the costs and natural diamond you will get, so you will have to find a natural diamond that fits your budget.

Where and how can I buy an engagement ring and save money?

Whether there is something to suit you or not, know your budget. One of the first things to do is keep the diamond size down. Appearance takes a back seat in price compared to carats. Pick shy carat weights instead of plain figures – choose 0.93 carat instead of a perfect 1 carat for instance. Plus, pick pavé and halo settings with — maybe — a G-H color diamond.Thirdly, reducing the purity of the metal to 18k will give you a band that appears to be 22k, but at a price that’s more economical for you.

Quality and Certification

When you are going to purchase one of those gold or diamond engagement rings you have to make sure that you check on the quality of such rings. Therefore it is safe by getting the required ring from a reputed or family jeweler where they do often. When looking for a diamond, ask for a GIA (Gemological Institute of America) or another certification like AGS (American Gem Society). Looking for a hallmark sign at the back of the gold ring is a hallmark sign for buying a gold engagement ring.

What does a diamond grading certificate actually mean?

A loose diamond, having a Natural diamond grading certificate will indicate the characteristics of that diamond. All diamonds undergo evaluation (magically) by trained professionals (from international labs such as IGI, GIA, SGL etc) according to the 4Cs using professional tools e.g. a loupe or a microscope. They also list the features which make the diamond, such as your diamonds. In fact, these are the labs from which most brands have their diamonds certified. Actually, a consumer won’t know the quality and value of a diamond unless he possesses a certificate of a diamond grading laboratory of independent standing. There is no bigger importance than to require a certification on the grading. It’s an expensive purchase after all so make your decision a smart one.

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Gemstone The Ring Encases

For best benefits, the gem you get from your partner must be in accordance with their aura and energy. If gemstone being worn is different from one’s energy flow, it can have a negative impact on the health and tranquility of one’s partner. It may be a sapphire, an emerald, a ruby or a diamond stone and see to it that it matches your companion perfectly well.

Then some ring setting, which completes the stone

Ask your jeweler to show you the best type of ring setting for the stone. Couples prefer a solitaire engagement ring as it is statement meaning and comfortable at the same time. Still other popular ring setting choices include halo, pave and vintage-style rings. What makes your ring setting is the look of the stone it encases, make sure the stone complements the setting.

To Sum It Up

Your engagement ring kick starts a brand new chapter of your life, for both partners. Whether it is diamond, gold, pearl, ruby or even another stone, the meaning and overriding significance of the ring remains the same. Along with all these factors we need to keep one more thing in mind that what actually matters more is the bond that you two share and is the metal or the stone of a ring. There’ll never be a ring which becomes the new healthy and happy relationship standard. Love and trust between two people makes a relationship what it is!

Moissanite as an Engagement Ring : Is Moissanite Good for an Engagement Ring?

What is Moissanite?

As most moissanite occurs naturally but very rare in tiny crystals, no less consumers compare moissanite and diamonds thinking of synthetic moissanite. Laboratories made this is a form of crystalline silicon carbide and it is used as a diamond simulant. If you are not looking for rare mineral samples, when you see moissanite and moissanite rings on sale, they are naturally derived by the synthetic method.

Moissanite vs Diamond: Which is More Beautiful?

The number one debate concerning moissanite vs diamond: which is more beautiful? Without question moissanite is a convincing diamond simulant. It takes a 'moissanite tester' (a device to measure electrical conductivity) and a loupe (to examine the diamond closely) to tell the difference between diamonds and moissanite, says a jewelry expert. Nevertheless, there are slight differences in how 'beautiful' the florals of these brands will be.

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Brilliance and Fire

When you look at a diamond, you’ll see brilliance (white flashes) and fire (colored flashes). However, Moissanite shows both, but generally more fire than does diamond. Therefore, moissanite is known to give off much more colored flashes of light like diamond.

But the diamond cut plays a part in this, too. Older cut style or modern cut style diamonds with specific angles will add more fire to a diamond than most modern diamonds. Therefore, it can be hard to know the difference between the two.

Brilliance and 'fire' are distinctive moissanite features, but distinguishing them from diamonds is not entirely reliable unless you’re looking at substantially larger sizes. But, still unless you are working in the jewelry business you will not be able to evaluate the difference just looking.

Color

Today, there are readily available moissanite that come in the same hue range as white diamonds.  This wasn't always the case. Classic moissanite has a yellowish or brownish colour that many compare to J through M colour diamond. It is best to use this range with yellow gold or rose gold settings and vintage styles.

Clarity

Moissanite are grown in the lab instead of mined and so don't have the large clarity imperfections that diamonds often do. In fact, a moissanite will always be eye clean, whereas a diamond could have eye visible imperfections.

But for people who are on a tight budget, it becomes difficult to find an eye-clean diamond in the size they want. This involves taking many of the diamonds apart and looking at many of them very closely. But it’s time consuming, and sometimes you need an expert’s help.

Diamond VS. Moissanite – Which Is More Durable?

Hardness

Diamond is well known for being the hardest material on a 10 on the Mohs scale. Nothing can scratch another diamond. With a hardness of 9.25, moissanite is one of the most commonly used materials used as a gem substance. As long as you don’t keep your moissanite in contact with your precious diamond jewelry, you won’t scratch it.

Toughness

But it's hard to say whether moissanite or diamond is tougher gem material. The people who sell moissanite will say that moissanite is tougher, while those that sell diamonds will agree, to their own accord.

Moissanite vs. Diamond — Budget & Size Comparison

Nearly always when deciding on an engagement ring, the cost comes into play. The price comparison sees moissanite beat diamond, hands down in the value category. If you’d like to see what moissanite sizes you can get on budget for the following, see the equivalent moissanite price in moissanite color grade.

Natural Origins: Beauty, Lab Made?

Ultimately, the cost of moissanite vs diamond as a factor of your decision comes last, and indeed behind moissanite vs diamond, least of all as a factor, will be whether you’d just rather have a diamond, or a moissanite.

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However, tradition, prestige and natural origin are some of the reasons some consumers prefer diamonds. Others simply want the aesthetic, for less, or they want it because they care about sustainability or ethical reasons. There’s no right or wrong answer here; it’s up to you. If you want a diamond, buy a diamond. If you want a moissanite then buy a moissanite.

Sustainable Sparkle

Moissanite rings have a sustainable sparkle, and they’re the environmentally conscious alternative to diamond rings. These rings are produced via efficient methods, as diamond mining normally leaves behind a carbon footprint.

These rings combine the vibrant sparkle with our planet density. Moissanite is hence an ideal choice for people looking for a ring that fits their environmental awareness.

Avoiding Ethical Pitfalls

Not only are moissanite rings eco friendly, moissanite rings help you sidestep the ethical problems associated with diamond mining. ‘Moissanite is manufactured in the lab – so no mining is necessary, and therefore it is also a more sustainable and environmentally friendly option to mined diamonds.’

A moissanite ring is a good option if you wish to avoid the issues surrounding diamond mining and manufacturing. Therefore, you can wear your ring with that it is not only beautiful but sustainably sourced as well.

In the End

One of the many reasons which make a moissanite engagement ring so popular is the fact that they provide a list of benefits. With a high end look of diamonds, these are costly diamonds without the super hefty price tag — they are truly a great value for money. They are ethical and eco friendly to produce and so their unmatched durability makes them an excellent choice for the conscious consumer.