Although we would tie a ribbon around the world and present it to our loved one if we could, we all have a budget to consider when purchasing an engagement ring. Bearing this in mind, affordable doesn’t have to mean tiny. Let’s have a look at ways of getting excellent flash for your cash in the diamond world.

Diamond Clusters

Diamonds increase rapidly in value per carat as they increase in size. Therefore, a lot of small diamonds coming to say 1.00ct will be surprisingly affordable when compared to a large stone of the same weight.

Over the years, jewellers have employed the wonderful bedazzlement of diamonds to create illusion settings and illusion clusters. This refers to a style of setting where a few diamonds are set closely together to create the illusion of one large, exceptionally sparkling stone.

Rose Cut Diamonds

In terms of surface area, rose-cut diamond rings are a wonderful way of getting a “big” stone at a fraction of the price compared to modern cuts with the same face-up dimensions. This is due to the Rose Cut’s slender physique.

Where modern brilliant cuts have a pavilion underneath their face-up view, Rose cuts are flat-bottomed, leaving all their carat weight spread across the top for maximum face-up surface area. These diamonds have fantastic old-world appeal, but not quite the same dramatic life as the modern cut diamond.

Black Diamonds

Due to their stunningly affordable price, black diamonds are a great alternative for those who want a substantial diamond at a budget-friendly price. Black diamonds are available in just about any cut and size. While sharing the same Mohs hardness rating of 10 as white diamonds, black diamonds contain dense graphite inclusions that lower their overall structural toughness. Because they are more brittle and prone to chipping under impact, they require thoughtful setting and sensible care.

Diamond Alternatives

If the appearance of a white stone appeals to you, but the size of the diamond you like exceeds your finances, consider an alternative white gemstone. White sapphire is a precious, natural gem offering fantastic durability at a fraction of the cost of a diamond. Because sapphire has a lower refractive index and dispersion, it exhibits a subtle vitreous glow rather than high-dispersion sparkle, and benefits from regular cleaning to keep surface oils from dulling its appearance. At a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, white sapphire is the most scratch-resistant natural gemstone alternative to a diamond (surpassed only by synthetic moissanite at 9.25 to 9.5 on the scale).

Visit the Mark Solomon Jewellers showroom today to see the largest variety of diamonds Cape Town has to offer, as well as our array of precious stones, including a brand new range of white sapphires. Alternatively, you can contact our highly qualified design team to learn more about our range of fine diamond engagement rings and custom-made designer jewellery.