Quite
a number of customers often ask the question of what weight of diamond should I
buy as an engagement diamond? Most men (and ladies) would agree that a one
carat diamond is typically the ideal and most commonly purchased weight of
diamonds for engagement purpose. Some women may choose to say that the value of
an engagement diamond should be equivalent to three months’ salary of the
gentleman, and that may mean a 0.50 carats (50 points) to 10 carats. So what’s
the ideal, or what’s the standard for choosing a properly weighted engagement
diamond without blowing your budget?
We
would have to say that a one carat is the typical standard, taking into account
the varying levels of income from all professional disciplines of gentlemen.
When we say one carat, we actually mean 1.01 carats instead of 1.00 carats. Let
me put it in easy terms for you. Carat is the unit used to calculate the weight
of a diamond. One carat weighs about 0.02 grams (which can weigh lighter than a
feather!). There are 100 points in one carat, so if a diamond is less than a
carat, it would be put in the term of say, 70 points, being the equivalence of
0.70 carats.
Let’s
not get carried away by the numbers and refocus on the topic of the day –
should you choose a diamond that weighs 1.00 carats or 1.01 carats? If you are
new to diamonds (or have never purchased a diamond before), you would think
that going for a 1.00 carat diamond is sufficient enough for an engagement
ring. However, gemologists think otherwise. We would never purchase in a round diamond that weighs 1.00 carats.
This is because even though diamond is
the toughest substance on earth, it also has a weakest link, which is its culet
(the tiniest point in a diamond). The culet is easily prone to chipping or
scratching when the diamond is scratched against another diamond or even other
precious metals. In the unfortunate or accidental situation
where a 1.00 carat diamond is chipped due to improper handling by unexperienced
craftsmen during setting, the weight of the diamond would fall to 0.99 carats
which renders its value to significantly drop. Your investment and the value of
your family’s first asset would go to waste instantly.
It
is true that the value of 1.00 carats diamond is much lower than those of 1.01
carats as only those that weigh 1.01 carats are much more tradable within the
diamond market and can within a much higher value appreciation overtime.
Usually round diamonds with 1.00 carats
have a small diameter (6.3 mm or less) and they look smaller, in comparison
to those that weigh 1.01 carats (with diameter of 6.35 mm and above).
Choosing
a engagement diamond is not just about the money being put into the wedding, it
is building your family’s first asset and extending your family’s wealth to the
next generation. Choose a diamond that will last you and your family beyond
lifetime is critical and since it will be one of the major investments of your lifetime;
why not choose one that with higher quality that can guarantee you with highest
rate of return in the long run?
Rendy
Ng, A.J.P. (GIA), G.G. (GIA)
