A beautiful engagement ring commonly begins with a single question: which diamond feels right? This is the underlying philosophy of Comienza con el diamante, a Spanish expression meaning “Start with the diamond,” which shifts the focus from picking an engagement ring setting first to finding a centre stone that appeals, and allows for considerations around the width of the band and budget.
For shoppers in Spain, looking at the stone first will benefit them by influencing what could be chosen both in terms of style and price. When considering the overall look of an engagement ring, the length and width of the diamond, as well as its depth, can impact significantly on the appearance of the ring and what size band can work around it.
Lab grown diamonds are becoming an increasingly viable option as they represent the same fundamental diamond material as mined diamonds, while subtle differences around origin, price and grading characteristics, offer additional choice.
Comienza con el diamante: Look at the Stone Before the Setting
The setting for a diamond ring dramatically influences its appearance – but not always in predictable ways. Choosing a delicate band can create the illusion of a bigger centre stone, while a broader band changes the relationship between the stone and the ring’s body. Ultimately though, the appearance of a diamond – particularly in relation to its cut, colour and clarity – drives the options for an engagement ring setting.
Take two oval shaped diamonds of a similar carat weight. Both can be beautiful, but their individual appearance – from elongated to rounded – will impact very differently on the overall impression of the engagement ring. By starting with the diamond, a shopper can learn to distinguish between these visual differences before they commit to a band style or other elements.
It also helps to avoid the practical but common issue of falling in love with an engagement ring setting only to discover that the intended centre stone will not fit, or would need to be altered.
Why Lab Diamonds Deserve a Closer Look
In reality, lab diamonds made up of the same carbon molecules as mined diamonds, but formed in different ways. As laboratory-grown diamonds continue to attract widespread interest in Spain, this includes those considering buying an engagement ring or other jewellery, it is worth noting that while these stones share key optical, physical and chemical properties with naturally occurring diamonds, there are differences between both types of diamond.
The most significant difference is how a laboratory-grown diamond is formed.
Whether a diamond is formed naturally, or in a laboratory, it will typically be categorised as a diamond because it shares the same basic characteristics, such as the ability to refract light and reflect white light back towards the viewer. Natural diamonds are formed in the earth, while laboratory-grown diamonds are cultured in a range of controlled environments. Two of the most common methods of growing diamonds in a laboratory setting are Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD), and High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT.) Neither is necessarily an indicator of visual quality, only how the stone was created.
For those comparing lab vs natural diamonds, five key features deserve close inspection:
- Cut quality
- Colour grade
- Clarity grade
- Carat weight
- And grading documentation
One of the advantages of considering laboratory-grown diamonds is the potential to explore different size and quality options, or even combinations, within a specific budget. While this is a useful consideration for most shoppers, actual savings will inevitably depend on the specific stones being compared, and current retail market values.
Shape Changes More Than Appearance
The cut of a diamond – or rather, the general shape of a stone – influences the overall ring design in dramatic ways.
Round brilliant diamonds typically cut have a familiar appearance due to the way that they interact with light. The diamond facets and symmetry create a sense of light bouncing back to the eye as soon as the light enters the stone, so long as it is done correctly. Oval diamonds also typically have a similar brilliance, but the length and width create the illusion of a longer slender finger, and mean that two oval engagement rings of the same weight could appear very different due to the way that they catch the light.
Emerald cut diamonds offer a very different experience. Again, they are brilliant diamonds, but with larger step facets. Instead of dazzling patterns of small light flashes, larger lights are reflected across the face of the diamond. Pear shaped diamonds combine the qualities of oval and round brilliant diamonds, but the long thin end creates a unique effect. A pear shaped diamond can also potentially damage a ring face, unless specific care is taken in construction, or unless it is specifically pointed downwards.
For those who have decided to try the Comienza con el diamante approach, looking at the differences between shape cut diamonds in photographs and videos can be more valuable than comparing engagement ring styles based on the cut alone.
Reading a Diamond Report Without Getting Lost in Numbers
A grading report is essential to understand what you are buying, but it should not replace an independent evaluation of the diamond in question. Independent laboratories like the International Gemological Institute (IGI) offer diamond grading documentation, as does the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) for lab grown diamonds, though currently they only use Premium and standard lab grown diamond grading. Note that the GIA does not offer traditional colour, cut, clarity, and carat grading for lab-grown diamonds in the same way that they do for natural diamonds.
In comparing diamonds, it is worth establishing who issued the report, checking the report number, and looking at any measurements noted.
Diamond clarity – what experts are looking at when a diamond is graded – can be deceptive. A small imperfection can be extremely prominent under magnification, while larger flaws may not always be immediately obvious. What matters though is whether the flaws affect the beauty of the stone.
A more practical comparison is how the stone looks under different lighting rather than a formal studio setting.
Choosing a Diamond in Spain Without Overspending
A wise budget for a diamond ring considers the ring as a whole. Not only does the diamond itself have a value, the ring setting and any precious metals involved are also influential on the purchase price. Even the weight of the metal used can contribute to the final price of an engagement ring, as can any resizing or other modifications. By looking at various diamond options, such as those offered by Novita Diamonds Spain, and considering what style would suit it best, a buyer can make a more considered choice about which characteristics matter most in choosing their future engagement or wedding ring.
For example, a diamond with a slightly smaller appearance but lovely movement and proportions can be more valuable than a larger heavier diamond. The choice of white gold versus platinum will also influence how light the final ring appears, or if any resizing is needed; a fact that can affect overall satisfaction if a ring is resized incorrectly, or if certain ring styles cannot be resized at all.
Before placing an order it is worth double-checking what the listed price includes (VAT or IVA might be separately applicable in Spain) and any delivery, resizing, warranty, and return conditions. Customised jewellery may also be subject to alternate policies.
From Loose Diamond to Finished Engagement Ring
With the engagement ring diamond chosen, the setting can transform the appearance of the centre stone in some very practical ways.
A solitaire ring setting is ideal for a centre stone that needs maximum exposure, but a halo ring setting can add additional diamonds around the centre stone, altering the visual field that the eye sees.
A bezel ring setting can be used to secure the diamond or other gemstone by surrounding the edges with a piece of metal to form a border. This can also protect a delicate stone from snagging, but a prong (also called a claw) ring setting can offer a higher profile view of the diamond, while also potentially presenting more exposure areas that may potentially snag on items or fabrics.
The lifestyle of the diamond owner is an important consideration at this point; some people have hands-on careers and benefit from a lower-profile ring setting, while others may be concerned about rings catching on hair or other objects in their daily life and prefer a more subtle alternative.
The engagement ring setting must also consider the actual size and cut of the diamond – including its height or depth. This information is not captured in the carat weight of a diamond, just its appearance.
In the case of customisation, Novita Diamonds is a brand that offers choice in both diamonds and ring settings, and is certainly one that should be considered when looking at alternative diamond styling options in Spain. Remember to look beyond the photograph by comparing size and design information.
Comienza con el diamante and the Details Worth Checking Before Ordering
The phrase Comienza con el diamante is very helpful when thinking about an engagement ring as a series of decisions that inform each other. Start by establishing the preferred style (the shape of preferred centre diamond), and the budget. Compare diamonds by similar size, and then look at how they appear in daylight; inspect the grading report, and decide whether you prefer a natural or laboratory-grown diamond. Then, choose the settings based on securing the stone without compromising wearability.
For online choices, clear photographs, product descriptions and communication options can help those new to choosing an engagement ring with confidence; Novita Diamonds Spain can certainly be explored during this process, but not limited to a traditional ring shape or lab-grown diamond.
