How to Choose the Perfect Diamond for Your Engagement Ring
Your engagement ring is more than just a piece of jewelry—it's a symbol of your love story, and it deserves a diamond that reflects your style, values, and budget. At Everglow Jewelry in Tampa, we specialize in helping couples find or create the ring of their dreams. Whether you're shopping together or planning a surprise, here's everything you need to know about choosing the right diamond for your engagement ring.
1. Price & Budget: Start Smart
Let’s face it—diamonds come in a wide range of prices. At Everglow Jewelry, we believe your budget should guide your selection, not limit it. Whether you’re looking for affordable engagement rings, lab-grown diamonds, or custom engagement rings, we help you get the most sparkle for your spend.
Tips to stay within budget:
Consider lab grown diamonds, which are more affordable than mined diamonds but identical in appearance and durability.
Focus on the best cut, even if it means compromising slightly on clarity or carat size.
Work with a local jeweler (like us!) who can show you all your options without high retail markups.
2. The 4 C's: Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat
💎 Cut
This is the most important factor in a diamond’s sparkle. A well-cut diamond will reflect light beautifully, even if it’s smaller in size. Excellent or Ideal cuts offer the best brilliance.
🎨 Color
Diamond color ranges from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown). Near-colorless diamonds (G-I range) offer a great balance between beauty and value.
🔍 Clarity
Clarity refers to internal inclusions or surface blemishes. Many of these imperfections are microscopic and don’t affect appearance to the naked eye. For great value, consider SI1 or VS2 clarity.
⚖️ Carat
Carat refers to weight, not size. A 1-carat diamond is a classic choice, but well-cut diamonds below that (like 0.90ct) can look nearly identical for a lower price.
3. Lab Grown Diamonds vs. Natural Diamonds
Both types are real diamonds—identical in appearance, hardness, and structure. The difference lies in their origin.
Lab grown diamonds are ethically made in controlled environments, often at a lower cost.
Natural diamonds are formed over millions of years and may carry more traditional or emotional value.
At Everglow Jewelry, we offer both, and we’re happy to walk you through the pros and cons based on your preferences and priorities.
4. Diamond Shapes: Make It Yours
Shape is all about personal style. Some of the most popular options include:
Round: Classic and timeless, with maximum sparkle.
Oval: Elegant and elongating, making fingers look longer.
Emerald: Vintage-inspired with sleek lines and step-cut facets.
Pear: Unique and romantic (especially trendy in moss agate and colored stones).
Cushion or Radiant: Soft edges and bold sparkle.
Want something truly unique? We can design a custom engagement ring with any shape you love—even combining shapes in Toi et Moi styles.
5. White Diamonds vs. Colored Diamonds
While white (colorless) diamonds remain the traditional favorite, colored diamonds and alternative gemstones are growing in popularity. From champagne and salt-and-pepper diamonds to sapphires, moissanite, and alexandrite, there’s no rule saying your diamond has to be colorless.
Explore your options with our curated selection of diamond alternatives or talk to us about custom settings that let colored stones shine.
6. Why Shop Local at Everglow Jewelry
Unlike big-box retailers, Everglow Jewelry offers a personalized experience with full in-house design and jewelry repair services. You can:
Compare lab grown and natural diamonds side by side
Customize every detail of your ring—from stone to setting
Bring in heirloom gold or diamonds for a meaningful redesign
Get honest, expert advice without pressure
Let’s Design Something Beautiful Together
Your love story is one-of-a-kind. Your engagement ring should be too. Whether you want to browse loose diamonds or design a bespoke engagement ring from scratch, Everglow Jewelry is here to help.
Book a private appointment or stop into our Tampa store today.
