Diamonds are beautiful, sparkly and often seen as a symbol of eternal love. They are durable and can withstand a lifetime of wear, making them the perfect material to represent the strength of a commitment. This makes a diamond the ideal gemstone to use in engagement rings, which symbolize the lasting nature of a marriage.

However, it wasn’t always that way. Until about a century ago, most engagement rings weren’t even diamond. It wasn’t until De Beers launched a massive advertising campaign, convincing people that the beautiful sparkle of a diamond was a metaphor for the beauty and strength of marriage, that the diamond became the stone of choice for engagement rings.

A diamond’s beauty and sparkle are the result of the way it reflects light. The way a diamond is cut determines how much of that light is reflected. The more facets, the greater the sparkle. The diamond’s color and clarity are also important factors in determining its value. Flawless diamonds are rare, so they are more expensive than those with inclusions also known as flaws.

Diamond cuts started in the 14th century with point cuts, where the octahedral crystal faces were polished to create straight lines and uniform facets. These early diamond shapes developed into the emerald, pear and oval cuts that we see today. More recent diamond cuts include the round brilliant, princess and cushion.

When choosing a Best Diamonds In Australia shape, it’s important to balance the 4 C’s with your budget. A round diamond is generally more expensive than other fancy-shaped diamonds of the same weight because it is easier to cut and polish. However, there are ways to save money on a high-quality diamond.

For example, opting for a smaller carat size can significantly lower the price of a diamond. One thing to remember is that different diamond shapes look larger or smaller than others of the same weight. For example, a round diamond can be bigger than a pear or oval-shaped diamond that weighs the same, just because it has a wider girdle the widest part of the stone.

Another way to save money is by opting for a lab-grown diamond. These are synthetically created, meaning they’re not mined from the earth and are often considered to be more ethical than their natural counterparts. They are also more affordable, since they’re made using the same physical, chemical and optical properties as naturally occurring diamonds. Many luxury jewelry brands have begun to offer these lab-grown diamonds in their designs due to their growing popularity. They can be found in stores like Jared, as well as online retailers such as Grown Brilliance and small boutiques throughout the world’s diamond districts. For those looking for a truly one-of-a-kind diamond, consider choosing an antique or old European cut. These were designed before modern diamond cutting machines and may not be as pristine as their contemporary counterparts, but there’s nothing quite like the beauty of a one-of-a-kind, vintage-style, hand-cut diamond.