Q&A with Lauren B: diamond and engagement ring advice

In this post we are going to review some commonly asked questions from our clients such as how to weigh color vs clarity and which style of rings are in right now

Q: Clarity vs color- which one is more important and where can you give up to get a larger diamond?

Lauren B: I always say color is more of what you see in a diamond as it takes up the entire body of the stone.  Clarity, as long as the inclusions are not visible to the naked eye and do not cause any haziness, is something you can sacrifice on to get a larger diamond.  Most SI1 diamonds will be eye clean and some SI2 as well.  It is crucial to have your salesperson inspect the diamond before purchasing to give you there opinion.  Even if the diamond is not 100% eye clean it can be OK to have some small inclusions that are hardly visible as well. In general, there is a way to find a good balance between color and clarity with your choice coming down to a matter of preference.

Q:  What are the most popular diamond quality ranges amongst your clients?

Lauren B:  I would have to say between "F" to "I" color and VS1 to SI2 clarity.  This is where most clients find the best value in their eyes.  Of course we do sell D and J colors, as well as VVS clarity but those are not as common.  Once again if you prefer to have a diamond that is outside these ranges, that is perfectly fine as well.

Q:  I hear that halo designs are very "trendy" right now.  Should I avoid them?

A: Never base your purchase on what other people think.  See what looks great on your hand and go with your feelings.  Trends come and go but the craftsmanship on Lauren B rings are very fine and timeless.   You can always reset your engagement ring at a future date so go with what you love now!