As you shop for a solitaire ring, first decide which kind of stone you’re looking for (either a diamond or something unique like a birthstone). Then, consider the “4 Cs.” Sellers on Etsy often address these in their listing details.
- Cut: The cut of a solitaire ring is the shape of the stone. Popular cuts include princess, round, brilliant, cushion, pear, and marquis cut.
- Color: Gemstones are rated by their overall color. For diamond solitaires, stones may range from colorless (or perfectly clear) all the way to yellow and amber hues.
- Clarity: The clarity of a solitaire ring indicates how occluded the stone is. Some inclusions may only be visible under a microscope.
- Carat: The weight of the center stone, the carat size also equates to the overall dimensions of the stone. A higher carat weight indicates a larger stone.