Your search for the perfect 4-carat engagement ring or ring upgrade just got a lot easier. You're in the right place!

Acquiring a 4-carat engagement ring requires the right diamond sourcing network because not all diamonds are created equal. When you invest in a diamond ring of this size, shop wisely. Let's go over the basics, shall we?

4 Carat Diamond Ring Shapes

 

Oval Cuts 

Oval diamond rings remain the most in-demand diamond shape for 2020. The spread and sparkle of 4-carat oval diamond show larger than other diamond shapes and are flattering on all women’s hands due to the elongation of the stone.

Be careful when buying a 4-carat oval diamond, as larger stones can show more flaws or inclusions. It's true, you are able to cut corners on clarity due to the oval diamond's faceting structure, but you do not want to source the wrong clarity traits because some show more than others. Miss Diamond Ring Tip: It is recommended to stay in the VS1/VS2/SI1 range when possible with a 4-carat oval diamond ring.

The color of your 4-carat diamond ring is the most important factor, next to carat weight. Although you may have a large stone, if it isn’t white and bright, people will notice. Miss Diamond Ring Tip: Ovals show color more than their Round and Emerald-Cut sisters, so stay in the colorless (D,E,F) range or top tier near colorless range (G,H). 

If you are working with our team, we are able to source near colorless diamonds that face up like a colorless diamond.

 

Emerald Cuts

A 4-carat step-cut stunner is a symbol of elegance and beauty. Known as "The Honest Cut", emerald cuts do not hide any inclusions. One noticeable inclusion will be magnified with this hall of mirrors diamond cut. Clarity is worth the spend. Miss Diamond Ring Tip: with a 4-carat Emerald Cut, you must stay in the VS1/2 or VVS1/2 clarity range.

The good news is an emerald cut diamond masks color more than her brilliant sisters (pear, oval, cushion). This means an H looks like a G, or an F looks like and E color. Miss Diamond Ring Tip: If you can stay in the colorless range (D,E,F) that is always ideal, but 4-carats is a significant spend, so if you are in the G, H near-colorless range, you will be more than aces with your ring. *Of note, if you are doing a ring with a yellow gold setting, you can go even lower in color and get away with it!

 

 

Round Brilliant Cuts

A 4-carat round brilliant engagement ring is a status symbol of perfection. It is only in the round brilliant diamond cut that you can achieve a perfect Triple Excellent Cut Grade rating. Your light refraction, brilliance, and scintillation will light up every room with sparkle. 

Next is color, which luckily round brilliant diamonds mask very nicely due to their spectral/rainbow light refraction. Ovals and cushion cuts refract white light, while round brilliant diamonds refract spectrally or rainbow fire colors. An H or I color is not noticeable like it would be on a cushion cut diamond or oval cut diamond. Miss Diamond Ring Tip: The sweet spot is F and G color but if you need to go to H or I color to get to the 4-carat diamond ring mark, we approve!

The clarity on a 4-carat diamond ring is a bit more open and lenient because of brilliant faceting, inclusions are well hidden and generally hard to see from SI1 and above. Miss Diamond Ring Tip: If you can be in the VS1/VS2 range, this is ideal, especially on a 4-carat engagement ring investment of this caliber.

 

Cushion Cuts

The soft corners of a cushion cut is a timeless look, whether square or elongated. Elongated cushion brilliants became popular in 2019 and continue to be in demand. They are all unique and no two are the same, despite what the certificate says.

In purchasing a 4-carat cushion diamond ring, it is important to consider ratio, weight distribution, and color. You first must find out if your future wife prefers a square cushion or a more elongated cushion. 

A 4-carat elongated cushion cut will look a bit larger than a 4-carat square cushion cut due to the weight distribution. It is important to note that cushions can at times be bottom heavy (no offense cushions, we love you!). This means you may have much of the diamond weight on the bottom of the stone instead of the top, so it shows smaller. You want your 4-carats to show like a 4-carat. 

Also, you must consider the ratio of the cushion. The dividing length by width will give you the ratio of the diamond. Generally, a 1:1 cushion cut is a square shape, a 1:15 will have slight elongation, and a 1:2 will look more rectangular. If your girlfriend has wider fingers (size 6.5 - 8) you will want to be mindful of finger coverage. This means that you should choose the diamond that spreads across her finger more or consider adding side stones to the ring to offer a more flattering and appropriate look for her finger size. 

Lastly, color is important for your 4-carat cushion cut diamond ring. With a diamond this large, color will show. Miss Diamond Ring Tip: try to stay between F, G and (with an expert’s help) H color. Again, if you are considering a yellow gold setting, you can go to I color. Our clients enjoy our tricks to whiten the stone with our “up a color” custom diamond settings. 

 

Pear & Marquise Cuts

Flattering and spready, these elongated shape MUST be sourced by an expert as there are only one beautiful pear or marquise shape out of every 100. This is due to the subjective nature of the shape’s proportions. We call it Goldilocks Syndrome: not too wide, not too narrow, not too pointy, not too strong of a bow-tie.

Clarity is your win on these stones, as they mask inclusions well. Miss Diamond Ring Tip: Color will show from H and lower so stick to an F, G range when possible. Or if you are purchasing an H, I or J color, our clients generally prefer our “up a color” setting to pop more white into their gorgeous diamond.

 

But most importantly…

Whatever route you choose to acquire your engagement ring, make sure to work with someone you trust and that can access inventory from around the world so you are getting the most personalized selection for your budget. Walking into a store does limit your options to onhand inventory they are likely needing to sell. 

If you are ready to experience the next level in luxury engagement ring shopping - more personalized, less stress, less time, better value, better options, you can contact us here and set up a Diamond Discovery call with Michelle.