Details You Need to Know About Diamond Bands

Looking to add to your diamond jewelry collection, diamond bands and eternity rings particularly, this guide has every deets you need to know. At Diamonds By Raymond Lee and Raymond Lee Jewelers in Boca Raton, we stay up-to-date with the latest in diamond jewelry designs, so we are sure you will fall in love and be inspired by all that you are about to read and see below. 

Have fun and choose a style that suits you! There are so many options out there that you are guaranteed to find a diamond band that you will cherish for the rest of your life. 

Introducing Diamond Bands

A diamond band is a ring with multiple diamonds, which either loop around the entire band or just the top part of the band, and they do not have a centerpiece. Thus, you would not call an engagement ring a diamond band. Diamond bands are more synonymous with eternity bands or wedding bands. However, the term may also include other designs of diamond rings that wouldn’t fall into those two categories.

Now, once a diamond band becomes very larger, we would put it into the category of a cocktail ring. Therefore, most diamond bands can be stacked with other rings. Many women buy diamond bands with that purpose, to stack or layer them with other rings. 

Finally, while diamond bands will stand out strikingly, they will not overpower any look. They are there to compliment a woman’s beauty and her style rather than be her style like a cocktail ring would. 

Comparing Diamond Bands with Wedding and Eternity Rings

A wedding band and an eternity band typically differ in that a wedding band doesn’t have diamonds around the band. Moreover, a wedding band usually uses round diamonds or the band itself has a unique shape. Conversely, eternity bands come in all kinds of diamond shapes. And the settings are simple, a continuous loop of diamonds on a straight band. Eternity bands can be much larger than wedding bands as well, in terms of individual diamond sizes. 

That being said, the name of a ring comes down to its purpose. If an eternity band was given to a woman on her wedding day, which often happens nowadays, then it is a wedding band. 

Symbolically, an eternity band is given to declare eternal love, oftentimes on an anniversary, which is why they are synonymous with anniversary rings as well. However, modern women simply like the style of eternity bands, so they are worn by single women who are not married or in a serious relationship too. 

With all that in mind, a diamond band can be any of these two styles of rings or different, but it is called a diamond band because it is not given on the wedding day or gifted to declare eternal love like an eternity band traditionally is. A diamond band is an eternity band, either half or full eternity, and it is also any other kind of stackable band with diamonds. It’s that simple. It’s a flexible term for a diamond ring that doesn’t have a prominent centerpiece.  

At Diamonds By Raymond Lee and Raymond Lee Jewelers, you will find various kinds of gorgeous diamond bands to choose from. 

What Makes Up the Quality of a Diamond Band?

Before we get into styles, we must understand what makes up the quality of a diamond band. The three most important aspects to keep in mind when evaluating the quality, beauty, and style of a diamond band are:

• The diamonds used
• The setting, and
• The precious metal, etc.

Diamonds and their 4Cs

When it comes to choosing a diamond band, the diamonds that are set in the band will determine the style and the price. 

Pay attention to the 4Cs for diamond bands with sizable diamonds. The jewelry store will know the color, cut, clarity and carat weight of the diamonds. For diamond bands with very small diamonds, you don’t need to worry so much about the 4Cs or the certificate. Just as long as they are real diamonds and you appreciate their beauty.

Diamond Shapes

As most of us know, diamonds are cut into many different kinds of shapes, such as round, oval, pear, cushion, princess, radiant, Asscher, emerald, baguette, heart, marquise, and so on. 

For diamond bands, the most common are round brilliant, oval, cushion, princess, Asscher, emerald, and baguette. These shapes go best with identical diamonds looping around the band, while the other shapes are made more for centerpieces. So, we will stick to the aforementioned diamond shapes from now on. 

Step Cut or Brilliant Cut

While there are many diamond shapes, they all fall into two main categories, step cuts, and brilliant cuts. 

Brilliant cut diamonds are cut in form with many facets so they have exceptional brilliance. Brilliant cuts come in round, pear, oval, heart, cushion, and princess (rectangular) shapes. No matter what shape, the diamond has a cone-like bottom and the diamond provides maximum light return through the top. 

Step cut diamonds are either square or rectangular. The facets are larger than brilliant cuts and they are arranged parallel to one another. The name “step” cut refers to the way the diamond looks, as the facets resemble steps. Step cut diamonds are not as brilliant as brilliant-cut diamonds. 

They are special due to their immense clarity and the way they reflect light with a hall of mirrors effect. Step cut diamonds include Baguettes, Emeralds, Asscher, and Carre diamonds.

Round Brilliant Diamond Bands

Round brilliant diamond bands make for a classic statement. They offer unparalleled beauty and brilliance and they can be worked stacked or solo. A round brilliant band is the most versatile of them all. 

Note: any diamond cut that is not round brilliant is considered a “fancy” cut diamond.

Cushion-Cut Diamond Bands

Cushion cut diamond bands provide the brilliance of round brilliants with the uniqueness and modish appeal of step cuts. You don’t often see cushion cuts on a diamond band. Cushion cuts are typically saved for engagement ring centerpieces. Thus, a cushion cut diamond band will show a lot of individuality. 

Radiant Diamond Bands

Radiant cut diamond bands ensure a distinct appearance. They are a striking option that serves up an immense sparkle. Radiant cut diamonds have straight edges and cut corners, making them a very strong, eye-catching option. 

Emerald Diamond Bands

Emerald cut diamond bands offer a sleek, modern, geometric look. They look best paired with other step cut diamonds but they can also contrast beautifully with brilliant-cut diamonds.

Emerald cut bands are coveted for their elegant, clean appeal. It’s really top of the list for contemporary diamond band styles.

Baguette Diamond Bands

While baguette diamond bands have less shine than emerald cut diamonds due to fewer facets, they make up for it with remarkable clarity and unmatched luster. Undoubtedly, baguettes are one of the most popular styles these days. 

Color Options for Diamond Bands

While a colorless white diamond is the most classic and timeless look for a diamond band, fancy colored diamonds are also a fantastic choice. Currently, fancy yellow diamonds are all the rage. Everyone wants to show their originality through their diamond jewelry choices. Fancy yellow diamonds, aka Canary Yellow Diamonds, are a great option to do that. They make for a very unique and intense appearance that women and men alike love. 

What’s more? Fancy yellow diamonds hold their value very well. They have become a highly attractive investment that is proving to continually rise in value. 

Settings For Diamond Bands

In terms of eternity bands, there are various diamond settings. The most popular are single prong, scallop, gallery, and u-prong. 

Single Prong Setting

The single-prong setting is a very popular choice. This setting is absolutely stunning, allowing the shape of the diamond to take full attention. They are most common for brilliant cut diamond bands like round brilliant bands, oval cut, and cushion cut bands. 

Scallop Setting

The Scallop setting is also a stunning option typically used on brilliant cut diamonds, although this setting extends to step cuts as well. Scallop diamond band settings look wonderful with square brilliant diamonds like radiant cut diamonds and cushion cuts. It is also a majestic choice for emerald cut diamonds. 

Gallery Setting

The gallery setting features more precious metal and makes for a much thicker band. It’s a stunning option for step cut diamonds like emerald cut and baguettes, especially baguettes. The contrast in luster simply looks incredible. 

U-Prong Setting

The u-prong setting is a variation of the traditional four-prong setting. The prongs create a u-shape from the profile view. It gives the diamonds a lot of security without the bulky basket look of the gallery setting. U-prong settings lend themselves to all diamond shapes. 

Precious Metal Options for Diamond Bands

The final point to consider is the precious metal you want your band to be made of. This really makes a world of difference to the style. The obvious choices are platinum, white gold, yellow gold, and rose gold.

While platinum and white gold have a very similar look, as they are both white metals, there are some key differences to consider. We will discuss each precious metal option below.

Platinum

Platinum is the strongest and most durable of all precious metals. It is also the most expensive. Platinum is about 20% denser than white gold, and about 2.5 times more expensive! 

What’s more, platinum is rarer than gold. And to top it off, it will not fade! Unlike white gold which gets a yellowish tinge over time. That being said, some people prefer white gold, respectably, as it offers its own advantages.

White Gold

White gold has a lighter weight than platinum, which some women prefer. It is also much more malleable than platinum, so it allows for finely detailed, intricate designs. Not to mention, the price is better. The only real downfall of white gold is that it will fade a bit over time. Well, not the gold itself but the rhodium that coats the gold and makes it white.

Choices for White Gold & Platinum Diamonds

If you decide to go with white gold or platinum, you will need to choose a diamond of good color grade, as any hues of yellow will be noticeable with the white metal. So, when choosing white gold or platinum, be sure to consider the color grade of the diamonds carefully, if this is a concern to you that is. 

Yellow Gold

While white metals like platinum and white gold are the most popular, yellow gold is the most classic of all precious metals for jewelry. Yellow gold is the king of gold. The gold of golds. When you think of gold, you think of yellow gold. Gold in its purest form. 

When it comes to diamond bands, yellow gold makes for a tremendously distinct look. Just having the band made from yellow gold will set you apart from the rest. 

There are some more benefits to yellow gold as well. First, it doesn’t rust, tarnish or corrode and it will never lose its color. Yes, it will lose its shine, but a simple polishing will bring it back to new. That said, a lot of people appreciate the luster of a long-worn yellow-gold band. Some say yellow gold improves with age. What’s more, it’s very malleable, so it can form easily into any intricate design. 

Rose Gold

Rose gold is one of the trendiest colors of gold at the moment. Everybody wants rose gold these days it seems. It has taken the jewelry (and even luxury watch) industry by storm.

Like yellow gold, it is very distinct and unique. It also allows you to get away with less-than-perfect diamond colors as the rose gold will display color through the diamond anyway. The pros of rose gold over other golds are that it is the most durable. And unlike white gold, it will not need to be re-plated. Rose gold is simply an alloy that uses copper to get a reddish-pink color, hence its durability. 

The only issue with rose gold is it is less malleable. That said, it doesn’t prove to be any issue with diamond band designs. Any design you want can be made from rose gold by an expert jewelry maker. All in all rose gold is a very modish choice. Plus, it will give your ring a vintage appeal with a romantic connotation. 

• Diamond 
• Eternity ring