Bridal 101
Make Your Moment a Mountz Moment
A Mountz Moment is more than just a purchase; it’s the moment that stays with you forever. When you’re ready to start shopping for engagement rings and wedding bands, there can be a lot of information to sort through. With expert guidance, we’re here to support you along the journey, making it simple and stress-free. From the 4 C’s and diamond shapes; to settings and metals, learn about the key factors of your purchase. The result? You’ll feel confident knowing you discovered the perfect rings. After all, making your Mountz Moment should be a truly unforgettable experience!
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ENGAGEMENT RINGS
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WEDDING BANDS FOR HER
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WEDDING BANDS FOR HIM
Diamond Shapes
The shape of a diamond refers to its geometric appearance. They are grouped into two categories, which are round and fancy-shaped diamonds. The most traditional shape is the round diamond, also known as round brilliant cuts. On the other side, fancy-shaped diamonds are classified as anything that isn’t round brilliant. These include emerald, pear, oval, cushion and more. Mountz Jewelers carries an expansive variety of diamond cuts and shapes, allowing you to choose one that reflects your individuality and personality. Stop by one of our locations today to learn more about each diamond shape.
Round
Cushion
Emerald
Asscher
Princess
Pear
Oval
Marquise
Radiant
Diamonds 101: The 4 C’s
Diamonds are the most valuable of all gemstones because of their rarity. Because not all diamonds are equal, the Gemological Institute of America created a diamond grading system to objectively evaluate diamonds based on the four C's: Carat, Color, Clarity, and Cut.
Diamonds are weighed in metric carats and each carat is equal to 100 points. A .75 carat diamond is the same as a 75-point diamond or a three-quarter carat diamond. It's not just a diamond's carat weight or size that makes it valuable, but a combination of the four c's.
Diamonds are actually valued by their lack of color. This means that the less color a diamond has, the higher the value. They are graded on a range from D to Z, with D being colorless and Z being a yellowish color. Letters D to F are considered colorless, G to J are considered near-colorless, K to M are faint yellow, N to R are very light yellow and S to Z are light yellow.
Diamonds are formed deep beneath the surface of the Earth under extreme heat and pressure. Because of this, it’s perfectly normal for a diamond to have internal and external imperfections, known as blemishes and inclusions. Blemishes are found on the outside of the diamond, while inclusions are on the inside. Both affect clarity because they can interfere with the way light passes through the diamond. When there are many imperfections, the stone may appear murky. It’s extremely rare to find a flawless diamond that lacks these inclusions, but they are not always visible to the naked eye and can sometimes only be seen through 10x magnification. The grading scale for clarity ranges from flawless (F) to very very slightly included (VVS), very slightly included (VS), slightly included (SI) to included (I).
The cut of a diamond is often mistaken for the shape of the stone. However, it actually takes into account the diamond’s proportion, symmetry and polish, giving a diamond its sparkle. The GIA grades cut by Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair and Poor. An Excellent graded stone will shine brilliantly without any dark spots.
Ring Settings
Choosing the perfect engagement ring style is a deeply personal decision that reflects your unique personality and lifestyle. Start by considering your everyday habits, your personal style and metal preference. Ultimately, the best engagement ring is one that feels right every time you look at it—beautiful, meaningful, and authentically you.
Metals
Once you land on your stone and setting, you have one more main style choice: Which precious metal should you pick? The most popular choices are yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, and platinum.
For a warm and classic look, look no further than yellow gold's rich hue. It is a timeless style and pairs well with both vintage and modern-inspired designs. It is fairly easy to maintain and repair over time.
For those who love a contemporary look with a setting that enhances the brilliance of diamonds, white gold may be for you. It is sleek, modern and bright with a silvery-white appearance. It is coated in rhodium for extra shine and scratch resistance, so it may need re-plating over time.
Rose gold's romantic, soft, blush-pink tone is created by adding copper to gold. This metal is perfect for those drawn to a unique or vintage-inspired aesthetic. It is a slightly stronger metal due to the copper content, though it may darken subtly with age.
With it's glistening white finish, Platinum is a glamourous option while also being one of the most durable ring metals out there. It's hypoallergenic, perfect for those with sensitive skin. Platinum retains it's color so your ring won't need to be re-plated over time. On the chance it gets a little dull or scratched, you can quickly restore its luminosity by polishing it.
