The average cost of an engagement ring in the United States is approximately $4500 with tradition suggesting two months of your salary should be allocated to the ring purchase. Any way you look at it, buying an engagement ring is a major financial commitment and you need to know you are getting the most diamond for your money. Buying your ring online is one of the best ways to avoid puffed up retail costs and middleman markups. Making large purchases such as a vehicle, house, or engagement ring are occurring online more and more frequently and is a smart way to minimize costs. Consumer confidence in online purchases is fueling the e-commerce market and bringing prices down. The standard retail jewelry markup is over 100% which affects the size and quality of diamond you are able to purchase. Why choose to pay more and get less? Buying online will allow you to purchase a much higher quality diamond at a higher carat weight which is what every woman wants. All risk is removed when buying online when a proper return policy is offered and the diamond is third-party certified by a reputable gemological laboratory. As more and more business moves online, don’t get caught paying too much for an engagement ring at retail stores. Buy online from Desert Brilliance and get twice the diamond for your money.

The answer to this question depends on what is most important to you.  If you want the best money can buy, you should look to buy a D color diamond.  If you are looking for a combination of value and quality, then a G or H color diamond is probably what you want.  If you need to save some money on your diamonds, then consider an I or J color.  You can learn more about diamond color on our diamond education page.  Just remember that diamond color is only one of the four C’s and you shouldn’t ignore the others in making your diamond purchase.

Desert Brilliance offers the finest certified diamonds for your diamond engagement rings and diamond jewelry.

Becoming educated on how diamonds are graded will help you choose the best diamond for your money. Studying the four C’s of diamond quality and understanding how to read a grading report should always precede making a purchase. Still, no matter how informed a customer may be the most common mistake is to buy the heaviest carat weight diamond within the buyer’s price range. Let’s face it, the bigger the diamond the better right? Beware, the heaviest carat weight diamond within a set price does not actually mean it will look the biggest. It is possible that a diamond with a lower carat weight will look bigger than its heavier counterpart. How does this happen? The secret is paying attention to table percentage and total width. These measurements can be found on the diamond grading report also known as a diamond certificate. Do not buy a diamond that does not have a grading report or you will be unable to confirm its quality. The width measurement is a very important comparison. For example, a two carat diamond that is cut too deep may not be as wide as a 1.75 carat diamond with a better cut. Even though the two carat stone is heavier, the visible area of the smaller and better cut 1.75 carat diamond is larger. So, do not rush out and buy the heaviest carat diamond you can afford. Pay attention to the table percentage and overall width. This will make sure that you get the best and, most importantly, the largest appearing diamond for your money.

The use of diamonds as gem-stones dates back to ancient India where they were mined and shaped for religious purposes. Diamond popularity and demand has grown exponentially over the last two hundred years as cutting and mining techniques improve and become more cost effective. Diamonds are desirable due to their natural characteristics of light dispersion and brilliance but must be cut and polished to exact specifications. The highest quality diamonds are those cut to the most precise measurements. Pre-cut rough diamonds are rounded and misshapen when mined and lack the luster and reflection of polished diamonds. Shaping the rough crystals into polished gem-stones is a difficult and painstaking process as they are the hardest naturally occurring substance on earth. Skilled gem cutters multiple facets and polish the diamonds to reveal the stone’s desirable properties. Much of the rough diamond must be cut away and as a result many diamond cutters compromise cut quality for carat weight which diminishes the final appearance. A diamond certificate or grading report reveals the final proportions of a diamond and inform the customer of the cut quality. Purchasing certified diamonds with ideal proportions will always be the best value for the money.

The art of diamond cutting or polishing dates back to medieval Europe when diamonds were not commonly used for jewelry. Because of its natural rough form and extreme density multiple cuts or “facets” are required to realize a diamond’s dispersion commonly known as fire. The ability to make precision cuts progressed over time and was not perfected until the 1900’s. The original round brilliant design was created by Marcel Tolkowsky in 1919 who’s mathematical model doubled the amount of light and fire output. Tolkowsky’s design has been the basis for all modern diamond designs. His technique has been refined by computer technology for even more precise facet cutting and brilliance.
The culet is the point on the bottom of the diamond and is sometimes cut to make a small facet. A diamond grading report will reveal the existence of a culet facet. When viewing a diamond from the top, or table, the culet facet may be visible making it less popular in modern ideal cuts. This and other important diamond characteristics contribute or detract from overall value and should be examined before making a purchase in order to verify quality.

This is a question we get a lot and one that we understand.  When you buy diamond jewelry online, you don’t get to touch it and look at it from every angle before buying.  However, the real benefit of buying diamond jewelry online is the significant price savings that are available along with a corresponding increase in quality.  But the secret to obtaining those savings is to make sure you are comparing apples to apples, as the quote goes.  It is imperative that you know the characteristics of the diamond you are purchasing.

One of our customer’s recent experiences shows just what I am talking about.  This customer found a ring that his girlfriend loved and was what she always wanted at Ben Bridge Jeweler®.  The ring was a one carat platinum ring with a one carat princess cut diamond and sidestones totaling 3/8 of a carat.  The ring was priced at $7,495.  However, they didn’t say anything about the characteristics of the center stone.  After pressing them, our customer finally was able to find out that the diamond had an H color (which is not bad), but had a clarity grade of I2 (which means that there were large carbon spots in the diamond that would have been noticeable to the naked eye).  Based on a comparable diamond and the same setting, we could have sold our customer the same ring for around $4,800, a savings of almost $2,700.  Our customer was amazed to learn of the extra money he almost spent for nothing.  Having already saved the $7,500 to purchase a ring, our customer decided to significantly upgrade the center stone to a F color and VS1 clarity at a total cost of $7,015.  So he got a much better ring and still saved almost $500.

We encourage you to compare our prices on certified diamonds with those of other retailers.  We specialize in providing the highest quality diamonds at “rock” bottom prices. (Pun intended!)

The four C’s of diamonds are clarity, color, cut and carat weight. Answering the question of which of these is most important depends on whom you ask.  For example, some people just want the biggest diamond they can get, so carat weight is going to be the most important to those people.

However, if you are looking for a diamond that will sparkle with fantastic fire and brilliance, you should be more concerned about the cut of a diamond. A diamond’s cut determines its proportions. The fire and brilliance that are characteristic of diamonds are created by a diamond capturing light (mostly through the top or table of the diamond), separating that light into its different color lengths and reflecting the light back out. A diamond cut to the wrong proportions will leak light out the sides or bottom.  (Click here to view an illustration of how a diamond’s cut reflects light.)  A well-cut diamond will reflect back almost all of the light that it captures, which creates that sparkle that everyone wants.

At Desert Brilliance, we specialize in offering only diamonds cut with spectacular fire and brilliance for your diamond ring.

Has anyone ever tried to sell you an “enhanced” diamond? Chances are that it will happen to you. Stay away! Diamond enhancement is a very vague term used by retailers to disclose to the consumer that a diamond has been treated or altered from its natural state. A diamond’s value and visual quality depends on its naturally occurring characteristics. Diamonds with fewer flaws are worth substantially more money than blemished stones. Some jewelers will alter a diamond from its natural condition in order to inflate the quality. Some treatments are clarity enhancements or drilling out imperfections, color grade improvements, and fracture filling. Most of the diamonds that undergo this process were of poor gemological quality to begin with and would be difficult to sell. Diamond treatments can affect the structural integrity of the diamond and some high pressure/high temperature treatments leave scars called treatment lines on the stone. All of these treatments are required to be disclosed to the consumer; however, a small “enhanced” label is all you are likely to see. The bottom line is you will never know the full extent of the damage to the diamond and it may break or fade in the future. You are not getting a good deal when buying an enhanced diamond. Do not buy an enhanced diamond!
When choosing a diamond make sure it has never been modified or altered by any unnatural process. High quality diamonds are sold in their natural condition. Choose a diamond that is accompanied by a diamond grading report or certificate to verify all of its naturally occurring characteristics. These diamonds will always look superior and retain their long term value. The best choice will always be a high quality unmodified diamond.

Each diamond is unique, so there is a diamond for every budget.  Our blog post today gives a good example of the characteristics of (1) a high quality diamond, (2) a diamond that is a good balance of quality and value, and (3) a diamond that is a good value without sacrificing quality.  These characteristics are for a round brilliant diamond, which is the most popular diamond cut.

Highest quality diamond - The highest quality diamond will have a D, E or F color grade; a FL (flawless), IF (internally flawless), VVS1 or VVS2 (very, very slightly included 1 and 2) clarity grade; a depth percentage between 60.1 and 62.8; and a table percentage between 53 and 57.

Good balance between quality and value - This diamond will have an G or H color grade; a VS1or VS2 (very slightly included 1 and 2) or SI1 (slightly included) clarity grade; a depth percentage between 58.5 and 64; and a table percentage between 52 and 60.

Good value diamond without sacrificing quality - A good value diamond will have an I or J color grade; a SI2 or SI3 (slightly included 2 and 3) clarity grade: a depth percentage between 57.5 and 64; and a table percentage between 52 and 60.  And although this is a good value diamond, you still maintain the quality necessary to have a nice diamond.

Carat size does not affect quality, but just affects price with larger carat sizes costing more.

If you have additional questions, you can always contact us here.  Visit DesertBrilliance.com to purchase a premium quality custom diamond engagement ring at a great price.

A diamond’s cut refers to its shape when viewed from the top (although there are descriptive terms used to describe a diamond’s shape from a side view also).  The cut is created by cutting symmetrical facets on a rough diamond to form the desired shape.  The most popular diamond cut today is the round brilliant, which constitutes a large percentage of the diamonds sold in the jewelry industry today.  Multiple standards have been developed to grade diamond cut.  Unfortunately, there is no unanimous agreement in the industry as to what proportions create the best diamond.

The quality of a diamond’s cut is evaluated by trained gemologists and reported on a diamond grading certificate with the highest grades given to diamonds whose symmetry and proportions most closely match the standard adopted by the grading company.  The depth percentage of a diamond is most important characteristic in determining a diamond’s fire and brilliance and each diamond shape has a different ideal depth percentage.  For example, an ideal round brilliant diamond should have a depth percentage between 58.5-64%.  A rule of thumb for princess cut diamonds is the 65/65 rule, meaning that the table percentage and the depth percentage should never exceed 65%.

A diamond’s color (or really the absence of color) is graded on a scale of D to Z with a D-color diamond being absolutely colorless.  Because completely colorless D-color diamonds are extremely rare, they are more expensive, while diamonds of lower color grades are progressively less expensive.  You can find more about diamond color grades in our diamond education pages.

But how does understanding the diamond color scale translate into information that you can use to make an informed buying decision.  Diamonds with a D, E, or F color grade are considered “colorless” diamonds.  Because a diamond will reflect the color of the metal in which it is set, we generally recommend diamonds with a colorless grade of D, E or F when a diamond will be set in platinum or white gold   In other words, it doesn’t make sense to spend the extra money for a colorless diamond if it is going to be set in yellow gold because the diamond will reflect the gold color of the setting.  On the other hand, diamonds in the “near colorless” range of the color scale, which includes diamonds with a G, H, I or J color grade, are ideal to be set in platinum, white gold or yellow gold and represent a good balance between quality and value.  In fact, the large majority of diamonds used in diamond jewelry today are of a G or H color because these colors offer the best combination of quality and value.  Diamonds with a color grade of K or less will start to show hints of yellow or brown and are considerably less expensive than higher color grades.  We do not sell diamonds with a color grade less than J.

No two diamonds are exactly alike. Each has a unique set of characteristics that either add or detract from its value and quality. Most of these distinguishing traits are not visible to the naked eye subjecting the unsuspecting consumer to potential price gouging. In order to verify actual diamond quality a certificate, or diamond grading report will accompany the stone. These grading reports are completed by neutral gemological laboratories which have no financial interest in the value of the diamond. Each report confirms a diamond’s measurements, color, clarity, weight, and other crucial characteristics. These certificates add value to the diamond as the actual quality is not in question. Many jewelers offer diamonds without a grading report making it impossible to determine if the price is fair. Always insist on purchasing a diamond that is accompanied by a diamond grading report. Only trust certificates from major laboratories such as EGL (European Gemological Laborary) AGI (American Geological Institute) and GIA (Gemological Institute of America).

Desert Brilliance has the most extensive selection of certified diamonds available. When you buy a certified diamond from DesertBrilliance.com you are guaranteed the best quality at the very best price.

If diamonds are a woman’s best friend then why does the man have to buy them? Most men are not familiar with the fine details of diamond characteristics and value. Making such a large purchase without any experience or knowing who to trust can make diamond shopping a daunting task. A visit to your local jeweler almost always consists of a tutorial on the “4 C’s” leaving you more confused than ever. What your jeweler will not tell you is the single most important diamond trait which determines value and brilliance. The rarely mentioned yet most important detail is a diamond’s depth percentage. A diamond cut to the ideal depth percentage will reflect substantially more light known as brilliance or fire. A diamond with the same color and clarity may appear dull and boring compared to a diamond with an ideal depth percentage. Diamonds are often cut either too shallow or too deep in order to save diamond mass which results in a dull appearance and cheaper cost. You may think you are getting a good deal but you are really paying for poor quality. The ideal depth percentage is different for each diamond shape. An ideal round diamond should be cut between 58-63%. For more information on diamond cut click here.

To find the best quality diamond look first for an ideal depth percentage, then consider color, clarity, and carat weight. Buy only certified diamonds which come with a third party verification of its characteristics.

Most jewelry stores will charge a hefty premium for a properly cut diamond. Desert Brilliance offers ideal cut diamonds without any additional fees giving you the most for your money. Buy with confidence at DesertBrilliance.com for the best priced, best quality diamonds available.

The sale of diamond jewelry on the internet has taken off in the last several years.  Some people are concerned about making such an important and sometimes expensive purchase online.  However, the benefits of buying online are significant.  The three main benefits of buying a custom diamond enagement ring online are selection, convenience and, most importantly, price.

The typical jewelry retailer, such as mall jewelry stores, are limited in their jewelry inventory based on their limited space. And most of these jewelry stores don’t actually have a jeweler on staff, so if you want anything other than stock items shown in their display case, you often have to wait four to six weeks or more to get what you want. Online jewelers on the other hand are able to offer a significantly larger inventory (both types of jewelry, such as ring settings, and variety of diamonds) because they are not limited to available display case space and all items are made to order in just a few days. A larger inventory translates into a better available selection of jewelry so that you can get exactly what you are looking for.

Today’s world is moving at an ever increasing pace and it can be difficult, if not impossible, to find time to drive to the local jewelry store, find a parking spot and fight the crowds. When you finally get there, you end up waiting around in the store trying to get someone to pay attention to you. Even when you can catch someone’s attention, they often don’t know any more about jewelry than what is written on the labels of each piece and can’t really tell you what the information means. (It really bugs me when someone reads the label to me and then acts as if they know everything about jewelry.) Plus, you have the constant nuisance of being interrupted by questions from other customers. Buying a diamond engagement ring online, however, resolves all of these concerns. You can shop any hour of the day, from early in the morning, over the lunch hour, or late at night, in the comfort of your home or office. There’s no driving or fighting crowds. And if you have a question about what something means, you can quickly find an answer in our diamond education section so that you understand what you are purchasing.

And the biggest benefit is the significant cost savings you can obtain by buying online, which can exceed fifty percent off your typical bricks-and-mortar jewelry store. This cost savings is possible because online jewelry retailers do not have the significant overhead costs of retail jewelry stores and they don’t have to pay salespeople. The cost savings in turn are passed on to you  so that you can purchase better quality jewelry for cheaper prices than what a typical jewelry retailer can offer.

Take a look around our site, www.DesertBrilliance.com, and we are sure you will see the benefits of buying diamond jewelry online.

In case you were wondering, size does matter, at least in the diamond industry.  Besides the shape of a diamond, carat weight is by far the most important diamond characteristic to most women.  Gold and platinum are weighed in grams.  Diamonds are weighed in carats.  The bigger the diamond, the rarer it is, and therefore, the more expensive it is.  However, carat weight does not necessarily denote a diamond’s proportions. It is important to pay attention not only to the carat weight of a diamond but its physical diameter as well.  The diameter of your diamond can be found toward the top of the diamond certificate. Remember to always educate yourself on each characteristic of a diamond before you buy. This will help you make the best possible purchase for the one you love!

You work hard for your money so why settle for less than a carefully chosen diamond for the woman of your dreams. At Desert Brilliance, we carry only the finest quality diamonds and jewelry. We use an extremely selective process when choosing our inventory. Only those diamonds that meet our rigorous standards of quality and brilliance are available for purchase. Other jewelers will charge a substantial premium for diamonds that meet our standards. At Desert Brilliance we don’t charge extra for quality, so you can have the assurance that you are buying the best quality diamond at the lowest price available anywhere.

The three main benefits of buying a diamond engagement ring online are selection, convenience and, most importantly, price.

The typical jewelry retailer, such as mall jewelry stores, are limited in their jewelry inventory based on their limited space.  And most of these jewelry stores don’t actually have a jeweler on staff, so if you want anything other than stock items shown in their display case, you often have to wait four to six weeks or more to get what you want.  Online jewelers on the other hand are able to offer a significantly larger inventory (both types of jewelry, such as ring settings, and variety of diamonds) because they are not limited to available display case space and all items are made to order in just a few days.  A larger inventory translates into a better available selection of jewelry so that you can get exactly what you are looking for.

Today’s world is moving at an ever increasing pace and it can be difficult, if not impossible, to find time to drive to the local jewelry store, find a parking spot and fight the crowds.  When you finally get there, you end up waiting around in the store trying to get someone to pay attention to you.  Even when you can catch someone’s attention, they often don’t know any more about jewelry than what is written on the labels of each piece and can’t really tell you what the information means.   Plus, you have the constant nuisance of being interrupted by questions from other customers.  Buying a diamond engagement ring online, however, resolves all of these concerns.  You can shop any hour of the day, from early in the morning, over the lunch hour, or late at night, in the comfort of your home or office.  There’s no driving or fighting crowds.  And if you have a question about what something means, you can quickly find an answer in our diamond education section so that you understand what you are purchasing.

And the biggest benefit is the significant cost savings you can obtain by buying online, which can exceed fifty percent off your typical bricks-and-mortar jewelry store.  This cost savings is possible because online jewelry retailers do not have the significant overhead costs of retail jewelry stores and they don’t have to pay salespeople.  The cost savings allows you to purchase better quality jewelry for cheaper prices than what a typical jewelry retailer can offer.