When you're looking for quality rings, you must understand what to avoid, such as knockoff rings, which are inferior gemstones made in labs. You should also be aware of how different types of jewelry is valued and graded by gemologists. Here are important points to keep in mind when shopping for quality rings.

Avoiding Knockoff Rings

Knockoff rings are neither a good investment nor are they as impressive as quality rings. These cheaply constructed synthetic gemstones can be made to look attractive for a while, but they tend to lose their sparkle over time and lack durability.

Synthetic diamonds were widely shunned by jewelers until after the financial crash of 2008, as demand rose for more affordable gemstones, particularly among Millennials. Some celebrities have even pitched man-made diamonds as viable collector's items, but the value of such gems remains controversial. Knockoffs, for example, commonly get scratched more easily and eventually look dull.

Lab manufactured diamonds only represent a tiny fraction of the diamond market. The technology has been around since the 1950s and the production process has significantly evolved. But there's still a wide gap in value between authentic and synthetic diamonds.

Why Quality Rings Matter

The concept of buying fake jewelry is often tied to a motive of faking people out. If you're buying jewelry for a special occasion, such as a wedding or anniversary, it's best to go for quality rings. While jewelry is meant to be symbolic, it's simply a more powerful statement for a diamond ring to be authentic than synthetic. Natural diamonds are mined, making them more rare and higher priced. They are also more likely to hold value.

But there's more to a quality ring than just being natural. Other factors that determine value of a diamond are color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. Accessing the diamond's official certification is another important factor not to overlook. A seasoned gemologist will be able to give you the most accurate and unbiased evalution of a diamond.

For many people, color will be a primary factor as to how they perceive a gemstone. The more colorless a diamond is, the higher its value will be. While color and clarity can be subjective, cut, and carat weight reflect more scientific metrics and that are more indicative of diamond value among professional jewelers.

Characteristics of Quality Rings

In terms of choosing the right diamond for someone else, it's important to remember that everyone has their own personal tastes. Diamonds come in many different shapes and sizes, so it's best to reflect the recipient's personality. Find out if they like certain shapes such as a square, heart, or octagon.

The setting of the ring is very important, as it will affect the sparkle. To add more charm to the ring, consider engraving a special personalized message on the inner band. Here are other essential factors to consider for ensuring the gift has special meaning:

• attractive under various types of light
• solid shank that supports the ring's crown
• thick settings that prevent gemstones from falling out
• design meant to last

The metal used in quality rings can affect value and appearance. Yellow gold is a traditional metal to match with colored gemstones while conveying romance. Gold and silver are commonly matched with diamonds. Platinum is considered "modern classic" for its strength and long-lasting shine.

Conclusion

Before you buy someone jewelry to symbolize your relationship with them, make sure you've done sufficient research to maximimize value and quality. Contact Ralph Mueller & Associates to learn more about how we can help you in your search for quality rings.