Lovers have known for centuries that diamonds are the ultimate symbol of everlasting devotion. They not only sparkle like fire but are the hardest substance known to man.

Our love affair with diamonds goes all the way back to 1477 AD, when the smitten Archduke Maximilian of Austria commissioned a special diamond engagement ring for Mary of Burgundy. Maximilian slipped the ring on the third finger of her left hand- ancient Egyptian legend says that this finger has a vein that leads straight to the heart- and Mary said yes.

Diamonds are the purest gemstone of all, made up of 99.95% crystallized carbon. A diamond is born deep beneath the earth’s surface, where they harden sometimes for billions of years among a furnace liquid, gas and crystal. You have to be pretty tough to withstand that much pressure.

What to Look for

If you are hunting for an engagement ring Newport Diamonds will give you all the tools you need to choose the most sparkling, perfect and valuable diamond for your budget.

If you’re looking for a gift, our gift guides also offer stunning choices for every occasion.

What kind of ring are you looking for? It’s not as daunting as it seems. A familiarity with the classic styles will help you decide what kind of engagement ring you want.

These simple but gorgeous rings are classic, the diamond speaks for itself.	Smaller diamonds set around the central stone add sparkle for little extra cost
Three stone rings symbolize the past, present and future and can catch your eye from across the room	Matching engagement and wedding bands are now becoming popular and can be specially designed to enhance each other's brilliance

Choosing Your Ring

Once you’ve made the decision to purchase an engagement ring it’s time to get to know what gemologists call the 4Cs- Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat. These four simple evaluations make all the difference in the world.

Diamond Shapes

Here are the favorite diamond shapes, designed over the centuries to enhance the brilliance of the diamond.

Round Brilliant cut diamonds are the most popular, round refers to the diamond’s shape and the brilliant cut means that the culet, the point at the bottom of the diamond, is also cut into facets. These diamonds usually have around 58 facets, giving them that classic fire.

Round Brilliant The classic round brilliant cut	Oval Like the round brilliant cut but slightly elongated	Marquise Elegant long shape, brilliant cut and pointed at each end
Pear Like the Marquise but adding the sparkle of a round brilliant cut	Princess Cut Square or slightly rectangular shape with a brilliant cut	Radiant Rectangular or square shape
Emerald Sleek rectangular shape, styled on the traditional cut for emeralds	Asscher Emerald-cut but usually square rather than rectangle with cut corners	Heart Stylized heart shape

What is the right shape for you?

The most important thing to consider is what you are attracted to and what looks best on your hand. Long elegant marquise diamonds can elongate fingers, while square or rectangular shapes make a statement. Are you drawn more toward classics like the round brilliant or more unusual styles like the pear, marquise, or emerald?

Keep in mind that diamond shapes can also affect the sparkle of the stone:

• Classic round brilliant diamonds offer the most fire and sparkle, when properly cut their many facets will reflect light in a dazzling rainbow display. The round brilliant also does the best job of hiding blemishes or slight discolorations in part because the crown, or flat surface on the top, is smaller than on emerald cuts.

• Emerald cut diamonds have a classy, clean look but also reveal the most about a diamond, showing any flaws or imperfections that may be present. They are also a little less brilliant. If the square shape appeals to you you might consider a radiant or princess cut, which have more sparkle.

• Pear and Marquise diamonds’ long shape makes them look bigger than other cuts of the same carat weight and can be brilliant cut to give them plenty of fire and ice.

Go to Next Page: The 4 Cs: Cut