Buying Your Diamond
Selecting your diamond is very important. We here at Morays are here to assist you. Our staff has a passion to make you hearts desire a reality. We will find the perfect stone to fit your size, quality and budget.
We feel it is our responsibility to educate so you feel confident in making a decision that will last a lifetime. Our commitment to customer service and gemological expertise make us dedicated to providing our clients with the most important information when selecting a diamond.
When you select our diamond you can depend on…
Integrity Quality Authenticity
At Morays Jewelers
Engagement Ring Buying Guide
For most men, shopping for an engagement ring is their first foray into the world of jewelry purchasing and can be a daunting task. We've put together a short buying guide which will help you through the process of selecting and purchasing the perfect engagement ring.
The first thing to do is to become familiar with basic information about diamonds. Our "Diamond Education" section breaks down the "Four C's" of diamonds so that you will understand the individual components of what makes a diamond so extraordinary.
Should it be a surprise
It can be a dilemma deciding whether or not you want to choose a ring on your own to surprise her. Here are some questions that will help you decide:
Is she very particular in her taste?
How well do you know her style?
Does she like to be involved in most planning, or does she like to leave things to you?
Most women want to be surprised, and if you choose to select the ring without her input, it's best to employ the help of her friends and family. Talk to her mom, sisters, or best friends to get advice about selecting a ring.
Below is a list of things you will need to consider in choosing an engagement ring:
White Diamond or Colored Diamond
Most couples choose a white diamond, though some women like to show their individuality though a natural fancy colored diamond. In general, it's best to stick with a white diamond unless she has specifically indicated that she wants a colored diamond.
The 5 C's
Diamonds are graded to determine their quality. There are 4 components to the grading system:
Shape
Diamonds come in a wide variety of shapes. The round brilliant cut is by far the most popular, but there are a lot of others to choose from.
Carat Weight
Carat weight is a measurement of mass and in general will describe the size of the diamond.
White Diamond Color
White diamonds are graded along a color scale which measures the relative yellowness or darkness in the gemstone. Colorless diamonds are stunning, but you will pay a significant premium for them.
Clarity
Like other gemstones, most diamonds contain some degree of internal imperfections. Clarity grading describes the amount and type of imperfections present in a diamond.
The Fifth C
Confidence, yes, but cost is a major factor. The first step towards making your purchase is to determine your budget. Our professionals will be able to show you a range of stones to fit the amount you feel comfortable spending Only then can you decide how important cut, carat weight, color and clarity are to you. You may choose a smaller stone with better color, or a larger stone with lower clarity to fit your budget. This is the most important of the C's, so before you start looking at diamonds this is the first decision to make.
Budget
There is a general guideline which suggests spending approximately 2 months worth of income on an engagement ring. However, there is no well established rule, and you will need to consider a variety of things in determining your budget. It is good to keep in mind that this is probably going to be the single most important jewelry purchase that you will make, and it's a good idea to go big.
Mounting
Your ring mounting will display and compliment the center diamond that you choose. There are a wide variety of engagement ring mounting styles to choose from, and each woman is different in her own preference.
If you are choosing to surprise her, a good idea is to select a fairly basic mounting style. This allows you to focus your budget on an excellent diamond and provides an opportunity for her to have input in selecting a remount at a later date. Many couples will remount their engagement diamond as an anniversary gift.
Wedding Bands
While most of your attention will probably go towards the engagement ring, it's also important to consider wedding bands. The most important consideration is whether you want her wedding band to match her engagement ring. Bridal/engagement ring sets are offered by many designers and can also be custom made.
Diamond Grading Systems
The quality of the diamond is determined by a set of grading standards. The quality of the diamond must be matched by the quality of the one who represent, evaluate and make the promises to you. That is the quality of our credentials and the associations we keep for you.
Diamond Certification
A certificate is a "blueprint" of a diamond, it tells you the diamond's exact measurements and weight, as well as the details of its cut and quality. It precisely points out all the individual characteristics of the stone. Certificates also serve as proof of the diamond's identity and value.
A certificate is not the same thing as an appraisal. A certificate describes the quality of a diamond, but it does not place a monetary value on the gem. An appraisal places a monetary value on your diamond, but does not certify the quality of the diamond.
The majority of loose white diamonds which are above .50 carats are sent to an independent grading laboratory for certification. Not all diamond certificates are created equal. There are many gemstone grading institutions The highest regarded are GIA and AGS. One of the most commonly used in the USA aside from GIA is EGL, although it is not regarded as highly.
Morays Jewelers is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of ethical conduct and professional behavior within the jewelry industry. Other labs use the same system, such as EGL. Morays Graduate Gemologists of the GIA use the GIA system.
There are two major Diamond Grading Systems
AGS Grading System
GIA Grading System
Sample GIA Certificate
Sample AGS Certificate
Sample EGL Certificate
Plan Ahead
One final suggestion is to take your time and plan ahead. Engagement rings often take 4-6 weeks or longer to put together. Likewise, extraordinary gemstones can also take some time to locate. It's best to give yourself a couple of months to do your research, select a ring and have it made up to your specifications.
Our concierge jewelry specialists are available to help you work through the process of selecting an engagement ring and can answer any questions that you may have along the way. We look forward to working with you on this momentous purchase
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