An Ultimate Guide to Buying Solitaires

You may have seen it in movies or read it in books. That perfect moment when a man gets on his knee holding a gift box, revealing a sparkly, enchanting solitaire ring. His lover, almost dazed by what she sees, clasps her cheeks, questions reality and yells out 'Yes!' to the classic question; 'Will you marry me?'.

Solitaire is seen as a symbol of commitment, a representation of love and an emblem of desire. Known for its purity, radiant shine, and beauty, they are a rendition of true love crafted with unmatched elegance, making it the most popular engagement ring for ages!

But what makes a solitaire the queen of all proposal rings? Why is it so special? And how did it become a household name in the world of jewellery? We are about to tell it all. So sit back, relax, and dive deep into the world of the oh so magnificent solitaire diamond!

When it comes to jewellery, solitaire is a term commonly used by many people. And if you are planning to purchase a diamond ring or any diamond jewellery, it is essential to know what it means before investing in one. Solitaire means jewellery with the setting of one diamond or a gemstone. It is the most popular design among all other diamond jewellery designs.

If you wish to own a classic and sophisticated jewellery piece that will go well with all your outfits - solitaire is undoubtedly the best option. Rings, earrings, pendants, and even single solitaire mangalsutra designs are perfect for everyday wear as well as for parties. Classic solitaire is something that not only is apt for women but is also a go-to jewellery piece for men. In our opinion, solitaire never fails to leave a lasting impression!

Remember when Rihanna said, "Shine bright like a diamond" - there is no diamond that can shine bright and loud like a solitaire. "Soli" in solitaire stands for solo, meaning a single piece. So to clear your doubt, yes, solitaire is a diamond but just a single diamond. The beauty of solitaire is magnificent, and that's what makes it so unique and popular. Solitaire diamond is usually used in engagement rings, which signifies the one and only for the rest of life.

As mentioned earlier, a solitaire is a single diamond, regardless of it being real or not. When talking about a real solitaire, anything above 0.50ct is considered a 'solitaire' in the diamond industry. Now, depending on your budget and preference, you can go for a natural diamond or one that resembles the same. If you are not ready to invest in a real one, you can go for cubic zirconia, aka Swarovski diamonds. They look and feel quite the same and are perfect for trying out initially when you are not ready to make that significant investment.

Solitaire has been in the game for a long time now; it was the only engagement ring people would wear before the diamond market bloomed. Until the 1940s, the solitaire diamond market was only for the rich and people with high status. But after the entry of De Beers - who took over half of the market, the diamond industry experienced a considerable change. De Beers decided to hire an advertising agency, and the agency's campaign, A Diamond is Forever, made the world view diamond engagement rings differently. 

The campaign turned things around and made them available to everyone regardless of class differences. However, as the solitaires became popular, new engagement ring designs were introduced. The diamonds were not so rare anymore, which increased their production.

A lab-grown diamond is also made with the same process speeded up by the machine, reducing its price a little bit. Now, when you buy a diamond, whether it is naturally formed or lab-grown, the 4C's determine its worth.

When buying a diamond, one has to get all the 4 Cs checked - Cut, Clarity, Carat, & Color. The flaws in a diamond are what helps to determine if it's real or fake. Also, depending on these C's, the price of a diamond is derived. 

A perfect diamond has a Table percentage of 53% to 57% and a Pavilion depth of about 43%. The thickness of the Girdle and Culet are two critical determinants of the ideal cut; the culet should be nothing more than a fine dot, and the girdle neither too thick nor too thin. The facets on the crown and pavilion, if cut a few degrees out of alignment, can dull the brilliance of a diamond and render it inferior or of low grade.

The list of diamond inclusions includes cloud, feather, needle, pinpoint, crystals, twinning wisps, whereas bruise, chip, cavity, cleavage and knot appear on the stone's surface.

Most of these colour differences are so minute that they are not visible to the naked eye. That’s why the degree of colourlessness is measured by comparing the diamond to masterstones under controlled lighting and precise viewing conditions.

While Solitaire sizes range between 0.3 carat to 3.5 carat, a 1 carat diamond falls somewhere in the middle. Its visual size is right about 6.4mm in diameter. Since this size is neither too big, nor too small and falls in the average size category, it approximately costs about INR 250,000 as of 2023. Make note that this is the price of the diamond alone.

Research suggests that the most common solitaire carat size for engagement rings is somewhere between 1.0 and 1.2 carats. A single-carat diamond is just over half a centimeter in diameter, less than half the size of a penny! 

However, a decent rule of thumb while wearing solitaire earrings is to keep your daily pair of studs between 0.25 carat and 1 carat in weight. But, you might want to go a little bit bigger and choose diamonds that are over 1 carat if you're looking for a set of diamond stud earrings that you'll wear on special occasions.

Similarly, while picking a solitaire pendant, sticking to a stone ranging between 0.25 to 1 carat is advisable for everyday wear and a slightly bigger gem just beyond 1 carat is perfect for special occasions

Just like how solitaires come in a variety of sizes, they are also available in several shapes. From romantic heart-shaped pieces to classic round ones, here’s a list of the most popular diamond shapes

Since solitaires are naturally rare to find, they automatically become the rarer commodity in the jewellery market. They make up majorly for the engagement ring section of the industry. Majority of people make the lifelong commitment of marriage only once in their lifetime which makes the purchase of an engagement ring only a one-time purchase. While women get their diamond upgraded as per the newest fashion trends, it does not count as a new purchase as it is an exchange transaction. Thus, these factors of natural availability, the non-recurring nature of the event of purchase and the novelty factor of the commodity itself contribute to the rarity of the diamond.

While solitaires are essentially diamonds, they’re the pricier versions of the said precious stones. Here’s why: Even if smaller non-solitaire diamonds are put together in a cluster design and their cumulative carat weight is the same as a solitaire’s carat weight, the solitaire will have a heavier individual carat weight. In simpler words, you would much rather desire a whole cake rather than eight pastry slices making up a faux cake. 

Yes, solitaires are a good investment. Since they are one of the most precious gemstones in the world, they make for a reliable investment. These dazzling stones bring charm and allure to your wardrobe because of their timeless nature. At Candere, you get 100% exchange value for diamonds purchased from us. So you can enjoy flaunting the classic piece you currently own, or you can easily exchange it with another design if you wish to keep up with the current trends.    

Here's a step-by-step guide to cleaning your solitaire and keeping it shining!

Step 1: Wash Up!

If you wear your solitaire on a regular basis, it’s important to wash it from time to time. Make sure you don’t use bleach as it can harm your jewellery.

Step 2: Wipe Gently

Wipe your jewel with velvet or soft cotton cloth at regular intervals after you are done wearing it and immediately after washing it to maintain the shine of the solitaire.

Step 3: Store Safely

Make sure to store your solitaire pieces in the jewellery box they came in. In case you have misplaced your box, you can keep it lined in a soft velvet or cotton cloth or pouch, separated from other jewellery. This is mainly to avoid scratches or chipping of the diamond and to retain its original shine. 

And that folks, is how you can keep your jewellery forever new!

But it wasn’t until 1947 that Solitaires became all the rage in the engagement ring market. De Beers launched its classic slogan “A Diamond Is Forever” comparing the durability of a diamond to the lifelong promise of a marriage. This made the diamond’s purity and shine a symbol of two people’s commitment to each other. Ever since then, every woman desires to be proposed with a solitaire. So when you plan to pop the question to your beloved, make sure you pick a beautiful solitaire!

When you think of a solitaire, the first thing that comes to mind is an engagement ring. But you can wear this brilliant stone in other forms as well! From stunning stud earrings to pretty pendants and beautiful bracelets, the possibilities are endless! Marilyn Monroe’s “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend” in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is the perfect example of how a woman can wear brilliant solitaire earrings, necklaces and bracelets all at once!

There is no doubt that buying the perfect solitaire is time consuming. First you have to look for a design you like. In today’s fast paced world, one can’t find the time to visit a traditional jewellery store and look through each design. 90% of the time, these stores do not have customization options. To save yourself from time consuming processes and having to compromise on what you want, simply shop online at candere.com! 

Visit the website and look through the various jewellery categories and collections from our extensive catalogue that’ll spoil you for choice. Once you have picked your desired jewellery from 8000+ designs, add it to your cart and proceed to checkout. On the checkout page, enter your delivery details and pick your preferred payment method. Enter your payment details and click on place order. Viola! Your favourite jewellery will be handcrafted with love and care and delivered to your doorstep.

Other than rings, you can wear solitaires in the form of earrings as well! Smaller 1 carat solitaire studs can be worn to complete your everyday look. They seamlessly go with contemporary fashion, be it casual everyday looks like denim jackets, flannel shirts or even cashmere and other knitwear. You can also pair delicate 0.5 cent solitaires with your workwear for an elegantly professional look. From button-up shirts to classy blazers, these shimmering stunners make sure to elevate each of your looks! You can also dabble in larger 2 carat solitaire earrings when you wish to glam up your wedding or festive look. Pair them with your saree, kurta or lehenga and see how magical your overall look turns out to be! 

When you plan to go clubbing all night long with your friends, make sure you shine brighter than the disco lights! Wear a solitaire pendant on a chain necklace and pair it with a little black dress for an unforgettable night out. You can pair that same solitaire pendant with a simple platinum chain with your workwear or athleisure. With these show-stopping solitaires, the possibilities are endless! 

It brings a unique allure to the overall look of the piece of jewellery as a shining white diamond looks even more beautiful when contrasted with deep blues, greens and reds.

Here’s our two cents on Solitaires. Make sure you take a good note of all the points, so you are well equipped to make the right diamond purchase for you. Stay tuned by subscribing to Stylery for future updates!