Long before you can have the perfect wedding you need to have the perfect partner pop the question with the perfect ring. Today we are so happy to share some pretty important diamond advice from diamond expert, Dan Moran from Concierge Diamonds Inc. Dan who is located in Los Angeles, California has helped thousands of people to get engaged. His diamond advice has been featured in The BBC, Modern Luxury, Brides, Bridal Guide Magazine, The Huffington Post and more.
Dan’s free guide “How to Buy a Diamond in 10 Easy Steps” has been downloaded thousands of times and has helped clients from all over the world to learn about the 4 C’s of diamonds, and which one is the most important, how to make your diamond look bigger and more. In the content below, Dan covers the basics for those starting their search for the perfect diamond and the perfect engagement ring. Read on for Dan’s invaluable insight into how to select the perfect diamond and create the perfect engagement ring in 10 easy steps!
How to Buy A Diamond: The 4 C’s
Ladies — this is the diamond advice you want your man to know before he shops for the ring!
1.Find the right person
Creating the ring is easy; finding the right person is hard! Step one goes without saying. Before you decide to get married, be sure you have chosen someone you actually like!
Then proceed to Step Two…
2. Start spying on them
Start observing the kinds of jewelry they like to wear so you can start crafting the perfect engagement ring. You want to start paying attention to the kinds of rings they wear: white gold, yellow gold, silver, rose gold? Smaller jewelry or bigger jewelry? Subtle styles or louder styles? Figure out what they like — you’ll have an easier time designing a ring once you know their personal tastes!
3.Determine their ring size
Here’s a tip you’ll thank me for: DON’T use an online ring-sizer. Don’t. Just don’t. There are several reasons for this and the most prolific one is this: online ring-sizers are notorious for being inaccurate and it is better to get a ring that’s too big initially and size the ring down if need be by taking away materials versus having to remake the entire ring from scratch. Read my guide to find out other ways to get their ring size and proceed to step 4.
4. Determine your budget
This is a delicate question that makes a lot of people nervous. But it’s one of the key things you need to know when deciding on the ring to buy for bride-to-be.
Again, there’s a lot of misinformation on the Internet about how much you should or shouldn’t spend and it’s my job to help dispel that information and set the record straight.
It’s long been the popular thought that you want to spend two months’ salary on an engagement ring. This is false. For more advice on how to properly budget, download my guide and look at section 4.
5. Choose a jeweler you want to work with
There are three places that people go to buy engagement rings: online, in retail stores and through private jewelers like myself. For the pros and cons of each option, check out section five of the guide.
6. Work with the jeweler
If you’ve opted to work with a private jeweler, they will be your proxy and make sure you get the stone you want, at the price you want, and avoid being ripped off.
Ideally, you also want to choose a jeweler who has some kind of certification and guarantee and like I said, works in an international diamond market to get you access to the widest variety of stones available and walk you through the 4 C’s of Diamonds.
Here’s my quick assessment of the 4 C’s:
The Four C’s and My Expert Opinion
The Four C’s stand for:
1. Cut
2. Color
3. Clarity
4. Carat
While each of these is an important factor in selecting your diamond, I find that some of them are more important than others because they can significantly increase the cost of your diamond.
Each one of the C’s is important, but there’s one other C that you need to consider: COST, and the Four C’s can dictate the cost of a stone dramatically.
The challenge is to balance the Four C’s in order to create the perfect engagement ring. I have a whole video series dedicated to this topic which you can watch by clicking here.
You can also download my guide and learn why I value the importance of cut above everything else.
A quick guide to shapes of diamonds:
7. Choose a diamond
By now you have selected a jeweler and we agree that you trust this person. You should have also determined what kind of style you want as well as have a budget in mind for the ring. Keep in mind that you will need to include the cost of the ring as well as the cost of the diamond into your total budget. You should have also learned enough about diamonds and the Four C’s to inform your purchase decision.
With all of that information, you should tell your jeweler exactly what you’re looking for and they will begin the search for the perfect diamond on your behalf.
Once they have narrowed the selection of available stones down for you based on your specifications, the jeweler will be giving you a selection of stones to view. They should be going over them with you, either in person or via a series of photos and videos or Skype or Facetime chats if you’re not able to meet them in person.
8. Tailor a custom ring around center stone
Congratulations! You chose a diamond!
We custom make everything to our client’s specifications because we believe settings should be made specifically for the diamond you selected.
So the process should look like this:
1. Select the center stone
2. Tailor the design around the center stone
3. Draw the ring
4. Client approves of the drawing
5. Put the ring into production
Again, this is a good time to mention to your jeweler if you want anything special done to the ring, like an engraving on the band, because some rings just won’t accommodate engravings.
9. Make the Ring
Now that you’ve done all of this work, it’s time for your jeweler to go to work. It typically takes about 2 – 3 weeks to make the ring, so bear that in mind if you have a specific date you want to propose by. Some rings can take longer to make so be sure you give yourself plenty of time.
Make sure you 100% approve of the ring before signing off on it. If you’re not happy, speak up and tell your jeweler!
I want my clients’ 100% satisfaction on every ring. These pieces are a personal representation of myself and if you’re not happy, we need to work at it until you are.
If you’ve signed off on the ring and you’re 100% satisfied, there’s only one thing left to do….
10. Go Propose!
However you decide to pop the question, we hope that it is a memory that stays with you for the rest of your life.
I always say that once the wedding is over, after the cake is gone and the guests have left, the only things that last are the photos, the memories, and of course, the rings.
For more tips, tricks and secrets to buying an engagement ring, take a look at this article about Dan Moran in The Huffington Post or download our Guide to Buying an Engagement Ring in 10 Easy Steps.
And if you’re ready to start searching for the perfect diamond, schedule a free online or in-person consultation today!
Need Engagement Ring Design Inspiration? Browse our engagement ring gallery for design inspiration and be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook!
About Dan Moran & Concierge Diamonds:
Buying a diamond engagement ring should be a fun, relaxing process and working with a diamond expert like Dan Moran makes the process not only much smoother, but can save you time and money. Dan is well-known for his unique approach to buying a diamond and creating a custom engagement ring. Dan works with clients all over the world so if you’re unable to see him in person, never fear! Dan can help you create the custom ring of your dreams whether you’re in Los Angeles or on the other side of the world.
To learn more or request a free consultation, contact Dan at info@conciergediamonds.com or call 213-261-4330 and be sure to visit his website at ConciergeDiamonds.com for more info, photos, testimonials and educational materials!
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