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Choosing the perfect diamond engagement ring or bridal set can be a mine-field, there are so many options to choose from and the pressure is on, since most women have been secretly imagining the size, shape, and colour of the engagement set for years.
So says Anan Fakhreddin, Diamond Promotion Service (DPS) director of the Diamond Trading Company, the sales and marketing arm of the De Beers Group, the largest producer of cut diamonds in the world.
"Internationally, diamonds are a way for a groom to express his love and commitment to his bride, and a way of making the bride feel that she is truly cherished.
"Of course, setting and style will always be a matter of personal taste, however one can't go wrong with a good quality diamond - here are some tips and factors to keep in mind when buying that engagement ring or bridal set to ensure that she definitely has no choice but to say 'yes'."
Diamonds are most commonly cut with 58 facets (separate flat surfaces). These facets, cut at mathematically calculated angles, act as mirrors and reflect light off one another. A skillfully cut diamond will therefore have more sparkle.
A rough (uncut) stone is sculpted into a thing of beauty, depending on the cuts that shape it. Variations of cut include asscher, radiant, round, triangle, oval, marquise, pear, princess, heart, and emerald.
Round brilliant: The Round Brilliant cut accounts for more than 75 per cent of diamonds sold. This popular shape works with an incredible variety of settings and its 58-facet cut achieves the maximum in fire and brilliance.
Oval: Popular among women with small hands or short fingers, the elongated shape of the oval cut lends the hand a flattering illusion of length.
Marquise: Originally commissioned by France's Louis XIV, this superb cut was designed to match the beautiful smile of the Marquise de Pompadour. Its beauty is enhanced when smaller diamonds and gems are included in the final design.
Pear: Shaped like a sparkling teardrop this cut is popular in rings, pendants and earrings. It is a shape that suits small hands or short fingers as it elongates the hand's appearance. The pear combines beautifully the best features of the marquise and the oval cut.
Heart: The ultimate symbol of romance! Look for balance in the stone, an even cut with a well-defined outline.
Emerald: Rectangular in shape, with cut corners, the emerald cut features concentric, flat planes that resemble little steps. It is important to select a stone of superior clarity and colour, as this cut tends to highlight inclusions and blemishes.
Princess: The princess cut is a square or rectangular cut and is complimentary to someone with long fingers. A relatively new cut, it will often be used in modern pieces.
Trilliant: An unusual triangular shape typifies the trilliant cut. The exact cut can vary according to the natural characteristics of the diamond, from a traditional triangle with pointed corners to a triangle with softer, rounded edges.
Colour
The closer a diamond's appearance is to colourless, the more perfect it is and the higher its financial value. Diamonds come in many different colours, from 'colourless' through to what are known as 'fancies' i.e. shades of pink, yellow, blue and other colours. Jewellers use an alphabetical grading system to identify the differing shades found in diamonds.
Clarity
The diamond's beauty is determined by the number of flaws (tiny traces of non-crystallised carbon) that it contains. The fewer the better. These flaws are known as inclusions (internal) and blemishes (external). A diamond with very few inclusions and blemishes will appear dazzling and unclouded when put to light. Of course, a diamond free of flaws is very rare and extremely valuable.
Carat
This refers to the weight not the size of the diamond, and shouldn't be confused with gold karats.
A carat, which is equal to one-fifth of a gram, is divided into 100 points.
So a one carat diamond equals one hundred points. This measurement alone has little bearing on the overall quality of the diamond.
For example, a lower carat stone could be worth more than one of a higher carat if its cut, clarity and colour are superior.
