The New Rules of Engagement: Finding the Soul of the Ring

There is a specific, heart-stopping moment that exists in the collective American imagination. It is the uneasy speech, kneeling down too slowly, and opening a velvet case to reveal a diamond sitting just right in the light. It feels like a ceremony and a public statement that is enshrined in our collective consciousness of love and engagement. That ring is more than a piece of jewelry; it is a physical anchor to an immeasurable emotional commitment for a lifetime.

However, getting the ring can feel like navigating a complex maze. The pressure is immense. This isn’t just a purchase; it is the first family heirloom that will exist as photographs are taken, stories are told, and admired by the family for generations to come. You are far removed from the simple experience in a quiet showroom of our parents’ generation; now it is a dizzying maze of online configurators, lab-grown ephemera, custom designers, and an important, and required, conversation about ethics and origin. It feels like you need a degree in gemology just to get started.

But what if we started thinking about it a little differently? What if this was not a big test, or measurement of love and commitment, but rather the first chapter of a new shared story? A collaborative project, borne of both research and romance. This is not about finding a perfect ring based on the generic standard that a decades-old marketing scheme has created. This is about finding the ring that clearly, undoubtedly feels like her or his—sits like a personality, has a shared joke, represents a common dream together.

So now sit down and talkLet's clarify the process, not just with the facts, but with the context, the stories, and the nuance that move a transaction to a more meaningful choice. It's about finding the soul of the ring, not just the specs on the paper.

The American Diamond Dream: A Fabric of Time, Time, and Marketing Ingenuity.

In order to grasp the powerful, perhaps non-negotiable, establishment of the diamond engagement ring in America, you have to rewind the film. The association is not ancient; it is precisely a marketing lesson in the 20th century, so deeply embedded it feels historical.

Up until the late 1930s, diamond engagement rings were primarily reserved for royal and extreme wealthy circles. Various gemstones were fashionable and the notion was much less standardized. The diamond market had collapsed into a crater because of the Great Depression. Then came De Beers. In 1938, the giant operation "sitting" on a pile of diamonds and anemic demand, hired the advertising agency N.W Ayer & Son. Their task was not strictly to move diamonds, but to create real emotional branding for diamonds.

Their campaign was not merely promotion, it was such programming of culture. They tied diamonds straight to love—eternal love. In 1947, a young copy writer named Frances Gerety, while absolutely fatigued late at night, wrote the line that became one of the most powerful lines ever written: "A Diamond is Forever." The brilliance of that line is numerous. They not only tied the indestructibility of the diamond to the indestructibility of your hope for the indestructibility of your marriage.It implied that a diamond was the only adequate symbol for such a commitment, and it subtly instructed against the secondary market - a "forever" stone should never be bought and sold.

The campaign continued from there. They dressed famous Hollywood celebrities - the influencers of the time - in diamonds; an additional part of the brand story to elevate them to the ultimate marker of both success and romance. They created articles in magazines and newspapers with recommendations with specific carat weights for the "ideal" expression of love, and they also launched the popularized "rule" of spending two, and later three, months' salary. This was a new rule; there was nothing old-world tradition about it. There was more to it; it was a brilliant idea of boutique marketing, giving a feeling - originally abstract - a fixed, but hugely intimidating number.

For years, this was the playbook. It went in a linear process: you saved money, you went to your trustworthy jeweler in your town, you looked at some options that were all round brilliant stones set simply in gold, with the jeweler's lights shining brightly in the shop; and you picked a diamond based on their recommendation. The journey of the stone from mine to finger was unclear, and the value of the diamond was accepted at face value.

But America was changing, even if we did not notice at the time, the internet burst open this closed world. The 2006 film *Blood Diamond* stirred the consumer conscience, pulling the public into an uninvited discussion about the human toll of the diamond business. The Kimberley declaration had given the democracy a venue to track and put an end to conflict diamonds, but the savvy consumer was not happy with just that: they wanted more: transparency, traceability, and ethics.

At the same moment, there had been a digital change to this world already as well. Couples could now examine the Four C's independently, compare prices from numerous online retailers, and see thousands of designs by independent designers from around the world. Then, the real game-changer emerged: high-quality lab-grown diamonds on an economically sound basis. For the first time, a chemically identical alternative existed, challenging the very foundations of the diamond industry: its scarcity, and its time-honored origin of having been formed deep within the earth.

Choosing an engagement ring today represents a multi-layered confluence of personal values, design style, and economic reality; it balances a vintage, one-of-a-kind treasure-aged patina aesthetics with a boutique designer's vision; a responsibly mined natural stone with a defined talent passport; or a lab-grown stone representing our incredible ingenuity. The journey no longer follows a prescribed path, it is a comprehensive and stunning conglomeration of possibility. This is the complex, beautiful, deeply personal new reality we are now making observations about.

The Heart of the Brilliance: Exploring the Four C's More Deeply

Every diamond discussion eventually revisits the Four C's: Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat Weight. While you have likely come across the words, they are usually buried within a sterile list type context. To fully apprehend the diamond, a thoughtful examination of the collective interactions of these C's with a consideration of its multi-dimensional being must be engaged in. This is not about memorization of a checklist; it is about observation.

Cut: The Conductor of Light

First, let's look at the most vital C that effectively differentiates a stunning performance or a dazzling firework of light from a dull, glassy pebble.This is generally the most misinterpreted word. Cut does not equal shape. Shape is the outside shape--round, oval, pear. Cut is the quality of a diamond's proportions, symmetry, and polish. This is the art of the master cutter releasing a diamond's inner magic. 

Think of a diamond as a complicated series of small mirrors. The master cutter, like a brilliant conductor, angles each of the facets-the table, crown, pavilion, and culet-to create a choreographed experience of how the light enters the diamond, bounces around inside, and exits to your eye. This is described in three ways:

Brilliance: the white light that is returned to the eye. This is the brightness of a diamond.

Fire: the flashes of rainbow color that can be seen. This is the dispersion of light.

Scintillation: the sparkle. The pattern of light and dark areas. The flash of light that the diamond creates when the diamond moves or the viewer moves.

Much like a well-cut stone, if you give a diamond an "excellent" or "Ideal" cut grade, it doesn't just look bigger or clearer, it looks alive. It will sparkle from across the room, continue to spark even in a dark area. A diamond cut in "poor" will leak light out the bottom, or as some might say a "fish eye" or religious people might call it dark, or even perfect but appear dark and lifeless because other areas considered quality are perfect.It's akin to a Stradivarius violin being played by someone just learning to play; the instrument is remarkable, but the skill isn't there.

When constructing your budget, this is the C above all else. A smaller diamond with a stunning cut will always, always outshine a larger, poorly cut diamond. It's the foundation for its beauty. Don't just take into account the grade on paper; peer into the diamond. Does it beckon you? Does it hold your eye's attention? That's the cut working hard.

Color: The range of whiteness

Next comes Color. The GIA color scale runs from D (completely colorless) to Z (lights hints of yellow or brown). You might be interested to know that it was purposeful to use the "D" as the top grade as it provides a clear break from the older and relatively inconsistent A-C grading systems that preceded it.

The main point here is that we can only see so much with our eyes. The difference between D color and F color is microscopic, and only visible to a trained gemologist comparing them in a very specific, neutral light and with the stones side by side. When set and worn, for most people once a diamond goes in a ring, a diamond E-G color all looked colorless, especially to the naked eye. When looking at the price jump for a G vs D in color, the cost into a double or triple the price was ludicrous if one could hardly see it in their normal use.

Additionally, the type of metal you choose will be your secret weapon here. A near-colorless diamond (G-J color graded diamond) will appear perfectly bright and white in white gold or platinum. If you are a person who is drawn to the warm classic feel of yellow gold or the romantic blush tones of rose gold, you really have even more leniency. The warm tone of the metal will offset the faint warm tones of a K-L or M color diamond very nicely, giving you a beautiful aesthetic and functional choice for a similar - and often stunning - cost savings. A K color diamond set in a yellow gold bezel can appear rich and buttery, a truly beautiful aesthetic that is distinct and original.

Clarity: The Fingerprint of the Diamond

Next, we have Clarity, the C that is probably the most misunderstood and over-emphasized one. Clarity refers to the internal (inclusions) and external (blemishes) characteristics of a diamond. These are the diamond's birthmarks; the tiny fingerprints the stones have from their formation deep in the earth billions of years ago. They can be crystals (little gemstones), feathers, clouds, or other types of flaws. 

The GIA clarity scale runs from Flawless (FL) to Included (I3). The sweet spot for the discerning but practical buyer is in the VS to SI1 range (Very Slightly Included or Slightly Included).

 A VS (VS1 or VS2) diamond has minor inclusions difficulty for a well-trained grader to see under 10x magnification. To the naked eye, they are essentially flawless.

 An SI1 diamond has inclusions that are noticeable under 10x magnification but are very often "eye-clean" meaning you cannot see or find any flaws without a loupe. SI2 introduces a little more risk as some are eye-clean and some are not, but you require a full inspection. 

Chasing a Flawless (FL) or Internally Flawless (IF) diamond is for almost everyone a pursuit of perfection, not beauty. You are paying an enormous premium for not being able to see perfection in your life. The goal with clarity is not purity, but to find a diamond with no inclusions visible to the naked eye that do not jeopardize the diamond's structural integrity.An experienced jeweler can assist you in locating an SI1 stone that is entirely eye-clean, enabling you to allocate that piece of your budget to a superior cut or a larger carat size.

It is important to know that it is not the number of inclusions that ought to be concerned, but rather the *type* of inclusion as well as the *location*. A small white crystal located on the girdle of the stone is much less of a concern than the darker, centrally located inclusion or "feather" (small crack) which reaches the surface and is a concern if knocked.

Carat Weight: The Measure of Presence

Finally, Carat Weight is the last of the C’s. It is the most objective of the C’s; it is a simple measure of weight of a diamond and one carat is equal to 200 milligrams. Its *perception*, however, is very subjective. A well-cut diamond at 1.0 carat can "face up" (meaning, what one sees from the top of the diamond) and look larger than a poorly cut diamond that weighs 1.2 carats because it has a lot of its weight "hidden" in a deep pavilion.

The price of a diamond increases exponentially with carat weight and not linearly because larger rough diamonds are simply much more rare in nature. This is where “magic sizes” or “psychological weights” become an important budgeting tool. The price jump of going from a 0.9-carat diamond to a 1.0-carat diamond is so significant yet visually unnoticeable to the eye. Considering a diamond just under the whole number (0.90, 1.40, 1.90) is arguably one of the best options to maximize a budget without visually sacrificing a diamond.The true art of choosing a diamond hinges on balancing the four attributes to match your desires and budget. It is a process, not a system. For example, the gorgeous show-stopping ring might be a diamond that is 1.5-carats, I-color, SI1 clarity with an Ideal cut that sparkles like crazy, rather than a 1.0-carat, D-color, VVS2 clarity diamond that is technically `"perfect"` in many ways but has no life or fire.

The Fifth C: Character - Selecting the Shape of Your Story 

While the Four C's represent a diamond's quality, yet another attribute of concern is its shape which is its personality. At this point, your personal style will enter into the conversation. No surprise that the round brilliant cut is a classic for a reason; scientists have studied the round brilliant with intentionality over the years for maximum fire and brilliance. However, the "fancy shape" diamond is perhaps one of the significant trends of our time with couples looking to purchase rings that feel more unique and personal.

The Oval Shape: Just like its round brilliant cousin, the oval shape is quickly gaining momentum for the top spot. The oval, while is a similar shape to the round brilliant, offers those similar sparkles but in a lovely, elongated shape that flatters the finger and is more of a contemporary design while also being classic. Beware of the "bow tie" effect, in oval shapes, marquise shapes, and pear-shaped diamonds where there is a dark shadow across the center of the diamond, when viewed from the top. A well-designed oval will exhibit a minimal or non-appearance of the bow tie. The Cushion Cut: A cushion cut diamond has a romantic history and has a gentle, round corner shape and large facets that give a beautiful, chunky sparkle often termed a "crushed ice" effect. They have a great retro vibe but there are also modern versions with a taller crowned "facette-cut" style that add a little drama.

The Emerald & Asscher Cuts: For the truly sophisticated, step-cut diamonds take elegance and grace to a whole new level. In emerald or asscher cut diamonds, there is no fiery rainbow sparkle; it is the beauty of faceting that gives a "hall-of-mirrors" aspect, or watery or glassy look. Classically, emerald and asscher cuts should be graded for clarity in at least the VS2 range or better; because of their open table slab type cut, inclusions will be more visible. But the pay-off is a beautiful, timeless and graceful look that whispers instead of shouts. The asscher cut is basically a square emerald cut with higher corners and a more geometric, vintage, art-deco vibe.

The Pear, Marquise, and Heart Shapes: For the bolder and romantic types. The pear (or teardrop) cut is a combination of both the round and marquise. A marquise cut has a regal dramatic sparkle and, like the oval shapes, will appear larger than the size. A heart shaped diamond is the ultimate in romance - whimsical and bold! These custom shapes take a very skilled setter, as they need to be at the right angle and secure in their setting.

The shape is probably the first and most personal stylistic choice. Moving away from what is trending, it is based on what moves you and evokes something in your soul.Is she more vintage glamorous, sleekly modern, or bohemian whimsical? Often, the answer is tucked away in her own jewelry box, personal style, or secret Pinterest board. Pay attention!

The Setting: The Stage That Makes The Diamond Come To Life

If the diamond plays the star, the setting is the stage, the director and the cast all at once! The setting is the structure that secures the stone, but also, it embodies the character and aesthetic of the ring. The setting alone can dramatically shift the treatment of the same diamond. 

The Solitaire: The champion. A lone diamond, held in place conventionally with four (or six) prongs, (literally) front and center... alone in all its composure. It's a classic option that focuses solely on the quality, and beauty of the center stone. It says, "this is enough." It is pure, it is elegant, and it is always in fashion and style. The number and shape of prongs historically shape it somewhat, i.e. claw prongs lend a vintage feeling, while rounds do not have an edge.

The Cathedral Setting: A grand solitaire variation, the band rises up to the base of a a diamond to form a sweeping arch type of effect. The cathedral elongates, helps provide additional light from below the stone, and suggests more height, and presence in wear. 

The Halo Setting: The halo is the single most widely coveted and popular engagement ring motif for sparkle and zeal I have had the pleasure of working with for at least the last decade.A band of tiny pavé or micro-pavé diamonds can frame the center stone creating lots of impact, making the center stone look larger and brighter. It is a glamorous and gorgeous option that can be modified to be vintage-y with milgrain detailing or sleek and modern with a knife-edge band.

The Three-Stone Setting: Symbolic in a very real and beautiful way, “the past, present, and future” ring typically has a center diamond with two stones on either side. In essence, it tells a story about your lives together. It has the largest coverage in the form of sparkly real estate, and the side stones can be diamonds or a colored stone that is personal to you (i.e. sapphires for a September birthday).

Pavé and Micro-Pavé Bands: Pronounced probably much like *pah-vay*, the technique is to tightly cement small diamonds into the band and into the fabric of the ring, held by very tiny and nearly invisible little beads of metal that hold the tiny diamonds in place. It produces a flowing stream of sparkle that gives the entire ring its glow. Micro-pavé has even tinier stones and would offer a finer and more delicate look. Nevertheless, this is the standard or go-to for a little extra bling without pulling focus from the main act.

The Bezel Setting: The choice for the woman (or man) who is modern, active, and functional would be the bezel setting. This configuration surrounds the diamond with a thin custom-fitted rim of metal that goes around the stone’s girdle. In this case, the diamond is held securely, and its edges are protected from chipping. While it may show less of the diamond’s profile of brightness than prongs, it provides a smooth, sleek minimalist, and extremely secure look overall.A partial bezel, featuring metal on two sides, provides some security while maintaining visibility.

The Metal: The Basis of Tone and Durability 

Whatever metal you select is effectively the setting of the diamond. It sets the tone, either warm or cool, contemporary or classic. The metal also affects durability for those who may wear pretty much every day. 

Platinum: The ultimate precious metal for jewelry. It is naturally white, extremely dense, long-lasting, and hypoallergenic. It is a thick, heavy metal that feels heavy and substantial on the hand. Over time, platinum will acquire a soft satin patina that many wearers find acceptable in terms of showing a life well lived; however, its durability allows it to be polished back to a high shine if desired. Since platinum is so dense, prongs hold securely and are well suited to protecting a treasured stone. 

White Gold: A lovely, more reasonably priced alternative metal to platinum. It is important to understand white gold is not naturally white. White gold is manufactured from yellow gold alloys with white metals, generally nickel or palladium, and then plated with rhodium, a metal in the platinum family, to create its bright, white, reflective shine. Over time (generally 12 to 24 months depending on how worn) the rhodium plating will wear, revealing the slightly yellowish metal underneath. White gold will require re-plating from time to time to allow it to remain bright white; this is a fairly inexpensive process.

Yellow Gold: Making a big comeback, yellow gold provides a nice warm, classic, romantic feeling. A rich color, it compliments many skin tones and has a soft contrasting beauty that can make a diamond, which may be cold in color, appear warmer. Yellow gold is a classic beautiful option and never really goes out of style. 

Rose Gold: A combination of gold and copper, rose gold contributes a lovely blush-colored vintage option. The addition of copper to the alloy provides an extremely durable option, although those allergic to copper should use caution. Due to its unique color, rose gold has emerged as a favorite for those seeking a unique romantic appearance.

The Great Modern Divide: Natural Diamonds vs. The Rise of the Lab-Grown

This is the debate that surrounds engagement rings today.It is a choice based on what you believe in, your budget, and what you want your ring to say. For centuries, the value of a diamond has been correlated to its immense age and the incredible journey it undertook to reach the earth's surface. Today, the science gives us a similar path, and the decision is a personal one.

Natural Diamonds: The Relic of Deep Time

Natural diamonds are geological phenomena.Natural diamonds are formed under extreme heat and pressure approximately 100 miles below the earth's surface anywhere from 1 to 3 billion years ago.The diamonds are brought to the earth's surface through deep-source volcanic eruptions that create kimberlite pipes. This awe-inspiring age and story is a large part of the allure, romanticism, and expense of a diamond. The mining process requires a massive amount of resources, and the diamond industry has a complex and troubling history of environmental consequences and social well being.

To address the issue, systems have been created to try to eliminate the trade of conflict diamonds; the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme is one response, although it has experienced a very mixed reception due to its narrow definition and loopholes. In addition, a significant segment of the industry is focused on ethical sourcing and many jewelers sell diamonds from specific mines with a traceable standard, for example, the Diavik Mine in Canada is known for its voluntary commitment to environmental standards, and Botswana's diamond mining is well-known for the significant amount of money it has invested in infrastructure, healthcare, and education for its citizens as a result of the diamond trade.When opting for a natural diamond, you are usually leaning towards a tradition, a romantic billion-year-old object, or to the perception that it is a store of value. A retail diamond is not a liquid investment that will appreciate. However, high-quality natural diamonds have held a large percentage of their value over the long term, which cannot be said for most consumer goods. 

Lab-Grown Diamonds - A Marvel of Human Ingenuit

It is essential to understand: Lab-Grown Diamonds are not simulants. They are not cubic zirconia or moissanite. They are chemically, optically, and physically the same as mined diamonds. They have the same crystal structure, the same sparkle, the same hardness. The only difference is how they occurred, either.

A diamond can be grown in a controlled laboratory environment employing one of two principal ways:

1.High Pressure-High Temperature (HPHT): Mimicking the natural environment of the earth, with the same immense pressure and temperature, for changing carbon into a diamond.

2.Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD): A newer process, involving taking a diamond "seed" and putting it into a chamber filled with carbon-rich gas. The gas is ionized to break up the molecular bonds; carbon atoms build up on the seed one layer at a time creating a diamond crystal.

The advantages of lab-grown diamonds are persuasive, which are contributing to their incredible success.

Cost: Typically, lab-grown diamonds are 70-80% less than the mined counterparts of equal size and quality. This is the number one advantage.It permits couples to obtain an altogether larger, higher-clarity, or better-colored stone for the same costs, or to channel their funds into a wedding, a home-down payment, or experiences. 

Ethics and Environment: Their production is assuredly conflict-free. While their environmental footprint is not zero (the production of lab-created diamonds requires a high energy cost, typically from the grid), more and more producers use renewable energy. Compared to the carbon use, water use, and loss of land involved in traditional, large-scale mining, the environmental impact of the lab-grown process is comparatively less harmful. 

Right now, the trade-off is in long-term value and perception. Because they can be produced in unlimited quantities, their resale value is only a small percentage of the original sale price. The market is still new, and we don't really know how it will play out. For many modern couples, this is an easy decision. They see the ring as a representation of love, a piece of jewelry to wear and enjoy, not an investment or something that would be re-sold at a later time. The savings, the knowledge of ethical practices, and their ability to get the "dream stone" is worth it. 

There is not an easy, universal answer. This reflects your values; for instance, do you value the deep, geological history of a mined stone versus the modern, innovative story of lab-grown? Does the tradition and value retention matter, or does the ethical considerations and price point fit better with your worldview?It is an open and honest conversation to have with your significant other.

The Human Element: Shopping With Trust and Confidence 

After doing your research, the next stage is locating an ideal partner for this unique purchase. There are more choices available than ever, each with its own pros and cons.

Local Independent Jewelers:Usually the heart of a community, independent jewelers are multi-generational businesses built on reputation. The benefits of local jewelers are numerous: personalized, one-to-one service; the opportunity to see, touch and compare a curated selection of stones and settings in person; and the experience of an expert who can educate you on the subtleties. They usually have a relationship with diamond cutters and can get you stones to view. They are especially good at custom design work, and offer warranty reputation and service for cleaning, resizing, tightening prongs, and maintenance. You get to know a person, not a corporation. Prices have improved over the years online, but you will likely pay a little more with a local jeweler, and might appreciate the value of localized service and peace of mind.

National & Online Brand Jewelers: (Example companies include: Brilliant Earth, James Allen, Blue Nile). Online and national brands have changed the whole buying audience with large, searchable online inventory. Some might call the opportunity to access extensive diamond inventory almost priceless or incredible value, mostly related the cost of running a business that has lower overhead. The significant benefit of 360 degree, high-def video of the actual diamond you are receiving is exciting, maybe not a benefit of buying from a local jeweler, and extreme due-diligence. You have the option to search for diamonds based on what specifications you want. There is a drawback of not having a personal connection, nor seeing the stone yourself, before making your purchase. Most reputable diamond retailers online have a good return policy (it's usually thirty days), however, read the fine print for details on restocking fees and return shipping insurance. You are your own well-informed expert with this option. 

Custom Jewelry Designers: If you want something truly unique, something that is a wearable work of art, then this is the right route for you. It starts from scratch—and maybe with nothing more that a feeling, a sketch, or a collection of images. Or maybe you want to reset a family stone. The designer will collaborate with you during the process and will often create a wax or 3D-printed resin model for your approval before there is ever a casting in metal. This option may take some more time, and may be more expensive but will yield a ring that feels perfect for your partner's personality and your couple's narrative. You are not just buying a ring, you are getting to experience the development process with the design.

An Important Resource: The Grading Report

Whatever variation of course of action you select, no matter where to buy, always insist on a grading report, of an independent non-profit gemological laboratory for your diamond. This is like the diamond's passport, unbiased and a guarantee of quality.

Gemological Institute of America (GIA): It is often cited as the strictest and most consistent grading laboratory in the world.A GIA certificate is the industry standard and is often held to highest esteem.

American Gem Society (AGS): Another well-respected laboratory with its own cut-grading system—including new and more grades—increased grades beyond GIA for round brilliant diamonds.

Be cautious with in-house "certificates" or reports done by smaller labs that may have lower grading standards and can potentially inflate a diamond's grade. A GIA or AGS certificate is a promise you are getting what you pay for.

The Last and The Most Important Thought: The Love

In the hustle and bustle of cut, clarity, certificates, and carats it is very easy to lose the thread of all of it. The ring is a representation, a beautiful tangible representation of a commitment that is made of far stronger stuff than any crystal. The pressure to find a "flawless" ring is intense sometimes given the curated perfection of social media and the weight of generational expectation.

But remember: the most perfect ring is not the one with the highest grade on a piece of paper. It is the one that lights up her face when she sees it. It is the one that feels like *her* when she puts it on her finger. It is the one you chose not because of some obligation to a formalized marketing-driven convention, but with care, with thoughtfulness, with love, and with an eye toward your future together.

Your future, will hold moments much more substantive than any one piece of jewelry—the shared laughs in the messy kitchen, the quiet comfort of a hand held in the hard times, the joyful, chaotic, beautiful reality of a life made as one. The ring is the beautiful overture to that song.

So, do your due diligence. Be a smart and conscientious consumer. Gather all the nuances and the market. Ask the tough questions. And then quiet the noise and listen to yourself. Hear what story the diamond is telling. Look deep in it for the sparkle that grabbed you and will not let go.* Ultimately that sparkle is not what light does it perform but represents love you feel for each other. And, well, that is something that can never be measured by a grading report, but something that you and everyone will spot instantly when they see it on her finger.