The most important factor that you may consider while choosing a diamond ring will be the quality of the stones on it. After all, diamonds are the most expensive elements in a ring and you are likely to spend a good share of your savings on it. To ensure the quality of the diamonds on your ring, make sure that your sparkler comes with a grading report. Note that you consider only a credible third party grading report like GIA diamond grading certificate or similar options for accurate results. Additionally, the parameters that are used to grade diamonds when it comes to GIA certification may not be the same for other options. So, having an in-depth idea regarding the things that you must look for in grading report before you set out on your diamond shopping is important.
It is to be noted that the quality of a diamond is mainly determined on the basis of four factors; the cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. All these factors will be documented in a grading report. Even an untrained eye can easily assess the quality of his/her diamonds by going through the grading report. However, the reliability of your diamond grading report may change depending on how the diamonds are graded. It is to be noted that grading diamonds loose is always better than grading them after setting on a ring since the former yield more accurate results.
In some diamond certificates, you would have seen the term, ‘graded in the mounting’. This indicates the stone was graded whiteout taking it off the mounting. The term is used to point out that the diamond may not reflect the exact qualities as mentioned on the certificate. Of course, an appraiser or a diamond grading personnel will not be able to evaluate the exact qualities of a set diamond since some of its areas will be covered by its metal settings. Note that the inclusions and flaws of some gemstones will be located at its pavilion portion, which will be usually encased by a metal. Hence, a grading professional may give an excellent clarity grade to that diamond, which actually is flawed.
Furthermore, the color tone of metal bands poses a huge impact of the color quality of the diamond mounted on it. That is, the warm tone of yellow gold, rose gold, antique gold, etc., tend to mask the color tints in diamonds making it look colorless. Likewise, the mirror-like reflection of lighter colored metals such as platinum, white gold, etc., tend to enhance the color quality of diamonds making a brilliant diamond look extremely brilliant.
In the same way, the mounting and diamond ring settings can affect the cut quality and carat weight of diamonds as well. Hence, you are likely to get a poor quality diamond, which is graded excellent, when you choose a diamond that is ‘graded in the mounting’. In other words, you will have to pay for the diamond qualities that it does not actually have. On the other hand, a diamond that is graded loose will reflect the same qualities as documented in its grading report. Hence, always remove your diamonds before appraising or grading it. If you are worried about your diamond being damaged in between the process, go to a reputed jewelry store where you can witness the entire process.