Diamond sparkle might be one of the most-desired requirements for an engagement ring. A diamond's breathtaking light show is one of the reasons we love this gem.
When we refer to the sparkle of any engagement ring, we are looking at the brilliance of your diamond. While every diamond will sparkle in certain light, there are some that will shine brighter than others and this is down to their specific cut, shape and facets.
When light enters an ideally-cut diamond, the light bounces around its internal facets, bends, and exits through the top of the diamond. This is known as refraction. Refraction creates a sparkle in a diamond as a result of light bouncing around the inside, which hits your eye when the stone is in motion.
There are several reasons why a diamond might stop shining. It could be that the facets have become dirty or covered in wax, that the diamond is loose and needs to be tightened, or that there is a crack in the stone. If your diamond doesn't seem to be shining as brightly as it used to, don't worry – you're not alone.
Diamond jewellery, when worn constantly, can accumulate dust and grime and become dull. Diamonds may also get scratched or the stones can work loose from the settings.
You see, diamonds are a magnet for grease/oil as their surfaces muck up easily. A dirty stone doesn't sparkle because light simply can't enter the diamond and causes it to appear dull.
A real diamond appears gray and white inside (brilliance) when held to the light and can reflect rainbow colors (fire) onto other surfaces. A fake diamond will display rainbow colors within the stone when held up to light.
A real diamond provides an exceptional sparkle since it reflects white light extremely well. In addition, diamonds can also reflect fire or colored light in a beautiful display. Compared to a stone like Cubic Zirconia, you'll be able to see a huge difference in the white and colored light sparkle.
Color also has a big impact on the sparkle produced by a diamond. Because diamonds reflect white light, colorless diamonds produce the best sparkle and fire. In fact, the more color a diamond has, the less likely it is to reflect white light. And as a result, will produce less sparkle.
Avoid taking a shower with your engagement ring on, since it'll be exposed to products that can damage it over time. Wearing it once or twice won't cause any immediate problems, but keep in mind that long-term exposure can cause more damage than you might realize.
When washing your hands with gentle soap and warm water your engagement ring is totally fine; no need to stress about taking it on and off. You should definitely be taking your engagement ring off to apply hand sanitizer, however.
Most people think that since diamonds are the hardest of all the gemstones they can never lose their sparkle or brilliance. They do NOT dull or stop sparkling, they just get dirty. Diamonds are magnets for all kinds of materials which will stick to them and make them lose their sparkle.
Despite its ruggedness, diamond can lose its sparkle with oil or dust deposited on it. To maintain the sparkling of this indestructible gemstone is a tough job, but a possible one! So, how would you keep your diamond engagement ring from losing its sparkle? Diamonds are magnets to oil and grease.
Know the 4Cs
The first tip for buying a diamond engagement ring is to know the 4Cs: Color, Clarity, Cut and Carat Weight. Created by GIA, the 4Cs are the global standard for assessing the quality of diamonds and allow you to compare one diamond to another.
For each individual diamond, there are specific proportions that will make the diamond sparkle at its best, and it is far better to have an Ideal-cut diamond that is 0.90 carats than a poorly cut diamond that is 1.00 or 1.10 carats. A good cut will result in a better sparkle.
Hold it in the light to see how it sparkles.
A fake diamond will have rainbow colors that you can see inside the diamond. “People have a misconception that diamonds sparkle like a rainbow, but they don't,” Hirsch said. “They do sparkle, but it's more of a gray color.
Excellent: This is the highest grade, representing the top 3% of all diamonds in the world. Diamonds with an excellent cut grade are masterfully crafted and precisely cut to create maximum sparkle and brilliance. Little or no light leakage occurs as light passes through.
And if maximum sparkle is your aim, consider a pavé band paired with a solitaire stone in a prong or cathedral setting. The addition of smaller diamonds, especially on the shank, will illuminate your ring from all angles and give the illusion of a strikingly bright ring.
For example, your diamond may have inclusions clustered together in the same area, making the stone appear milky or foggy. Diamond fluorescence may also be the culprit. Some diamonds may have strong fluorescence that can give off a milky hue and reduce the value of the diamond.
Can you clean your engagement ring too much? No, you can't clean your engagement ring too much when it's being done the right way. But, if you're using all kinds of harsh chemicals regularly that's when you're doing too much.
Visit A Trusted Jeweler
Visiting a local jeweler who you trust should help put your mind at ease. Many jewelers will appraise your stone free of charge and experts will often be able to tell immediately if your diamond is authentic or not.
An engagement ring is most often given upon the occasion of a proposal or soon after a couple has decided to become engaged. Typically, the ring features one dominant stone set in any number of band styles.
Place it in a glass of water. Real gold and platinum, classified as 'heavy metals' (i.e. metals denser than water), will sink straight to the bottom. If your ring rises to the surface, hovers around somewhere in the middle or even falters in its sinking process, it's definitely not solid gold or platinum.