A diamond engagement ring with an oval center stone

5 Things to Know Before You Buy a Diamond

A diamond engagement ring with an oval center stone

5 Things to Know Before You Buy a Diamond

There’s a lot to know when buying a diamond, and it can feel a little overwhelming at first. Don’t worry, we’ve been doing this for generations, and we’ll walk you through it step by step, from how diamonds are made to what actually matters when choosing “The One”.

Expert guidance from Your Friend & Jeweler: We’ve been experts in diamonds for nearly 100 years and counting. We source directly from trusted industry leaders we've partnered with for generations. Every diamond is hand-selected no matter the cut, carat, or grade, so your engagement ring is always the most beautiful.

1. What types of diamonds are there?

There are two types of diamonds: natural and lab-grown diamonds. At Shane Co., we offer both. Every diamond is hand-picked at the source, in every size, shape, and within each grade. We negotiate the best possible price on your behalf, too.

Natural Diamonds

Earth’s rarest, most magical creation, formed over billions of years. No two are alike.

Learn More About Natural Diamonds

A collection of loose lab grown diamonds of different shapes

Lab-Grown Diamonds

Created using the latest technology in our long-term partners’ carbon neutral labs.

Learn More About Lab-Grown Diamonds

Color Lab-Grown Diamonds

Specialty shades like pink, blue, yellow, and green*, perfect for a colorful center stone.

Shop by Color

*Green lab-grown diamonds are only available in-store. To find a location or learn more, chat now.

*Green lab-grown diamonds are only available in-store. To find a location or learn more, chat now.

Four diamond engagement rings, each with a different color lab-grown center diamond

Color Lab-Grown Diamonds

Specialty shades like pink, blue, yellow, and green*, perfect for a colorful center stone.

Shop by Color

*Green lab-grown diamonds are only available in-store. To find a location or learn more, chat now.

*Green lab-grown diamonds are only available in-store. To find a location or learn more, chat now.

Exclusive Shane Co. Collections

A diamond engagement ring with a Shane Classic oval center stone surrounded by two other loose Shane Classic diamonds

Shane Co. Exclusive

Shane Classic® Natural Diamonds

Diamonds cut to the most precise proportions for exceptional brilliance, fire, and scintillation.

See More

Shane Co. Exclusive

Shane Classic® Natural Diamonds

Diamonds cut to the most precise proportions for exceptional brilliance, fire, and scintillation.

See More

Shane Co. Exclusive

Stargazer Lab-Grown Diamonds

Created with a long-time diamond partner, these patented cuts feature extra facets and a bold starburst center for next-level sparkle.

See More

Shane Co. Exclusive

Stargazer Lab-Grown Diamonds

Created with a long-time diamond partner, these patented cuts feature extra facets and a bold starburst center for next-level sparkle.

See More

2. What are the 4Cs of diamonds?

You’ve probably heard of the 4Cs: cut, color, clarity, and carat. They serve as the universal standard for grading diamond quality. Every diamond is independently graded and certified for quality and authenticity, with GIA certifying natural diamonds and IGI certifying lab-grown diamonds. At Shane Co., we go beyond the 4Cs. Our experts draw on generations of experience to hand-pick diamonds for how they reflect light, sparkle, and truly come to life in your engagement ring.

CUT

An illustrated example of a diamond showing light reflection

Overall symmetry and light reflection

COLOR

An illustrated example of a diamond showing variances of color range

How white or warm the diamond appears

CLARITY

An illustrated example of a diamond showing inclusions of clarity

The number of natural inclusions within the diamond

CARAT

An illustrated example of a scale weighing two diamonds

Measures weight, not size of a diamond

Learn More About the 4Cs

A pair of tweezers surrounded by different sizes of loose diamonds

3. Why can two diamonds with the same grade look different?

Two diamonds can have the exact same grades and still look very different. That’s because a diamond’s beauty is subjective, with factors like cut and clarity all influencing how it appears.


While grading is a science, selecting exceptional diamonds is also an art. That’s why we focus on offering the prettiest selection in-store and online, so you can find one that’s exactly right for you.


At Shane Co.:

  • Every diamond is hand-picked and inspected under 10x magnification
  • We choose only the most beautiful diamonds across every size, shape, and within each grade
  • Each diamond includes certification for quality and authenticity, with GIA (Gemological Institute of America) certifying natural diamonds and IGI (International Gemological Institute) certifying lab-grown diamonds

Shane Co. Diamonds vs. Other Jewelers

See how Shane Co. diamond sourcing compares to other retailers.

Shane Co.
What This Means
for You
Others
Hand-picked at the source
You only see diamonds vetted by our experts
Bought in bulk from database
No middleman
More value for your budget, fewer steps, fewer added costs
Wholesale middleman
Widest selection in-stock
You can compare diamonds side by side
Limited in-store inventory (must be ordered to view)
We don't work on commission
Zero pressure to buy
High-pressure sales tactics
All-Inclusive Free Lifetime Warranty covers everything
Long-term peace of mind, including protection for your center stone
"Free" warranties with limitations & extra costs
We buy diamonds in cash
We don't pay any interest, so you don't pay any interest
Purchased on credit

4. How do you choose the right engagement ring setting?

The diamond is the centerpiece; it shapes the overall look of your ring. The setting highlights how your diamond is framed.


Whether you prefer classic, vintage, or something in between, we offer a wide selection of ring styles for every budget, so you can find an engagement ring that’s uniquely you, or uniquely them.

Learn More About Settings

5. How should you plan your engagement ring budget?

You might have heard that an engagement ring should cost 3 months of your annual salary. At Shane Co., we believe the right amount to spend on a diamond ring is personal, and we’d never pressure you into an outdated “rule”. (Our jewelry consultants don’t even work on commission; it’s not about a sale, it’s about you and your happiness.)


We curate and keep a wide selection of diamonds in stock because every customer deserves an engagement ring they love, at any price point.


You also don’t have to spend your entire budget at once. We offer flexible financing through the Shane Co. Credit Card. And our Easy Trade-Up Program℠ makes it simple to trade in your diamond when you’re ready to go bigger or try a completely new style.

Learn How to Set Your Engagement Ring Budget

A jeweler viewing a loose diamond through a jewelers loupe

5. How should you plan your engagement ring budget?

You might have heard that an engagement ring should cost 3 months of your annual salary. At Shane Co., we believe the right amount to spend on a diamond ring is personal, and we’d never pressure you into an outdated “rule.” (Our jewelry consultants don’t even work on commission; it’s not about a sale, it’s about you and your happiness.)


We curate and keep a wide selection of diamonds in stock because every customer deserves an engagement ring they love, at any price point.


You also don’t have to spend your entire budget at once. We offer flexible financing through the Shane Co. Credit Card. And our Easy Trade-Up Program℠ makes it simple to trade in your diamond when you’re ready to go bigger or try a completely new style.

Learn How to Set Your Engagement Ring Budget

An engagement ring with a loose marquise diamond center stone next to it

How are Shane Co. 

diamonds better?

We’ve been a family jeweler in the diamond business for almost 100 years and counting. Tom Shane, owner and third-generation jeweler, invented an unprecedented way of sourcing diamonds and offering them to customers. This is still how we do business today.


  • We get first pick: We source directly from trusted industry leaders we've partnered with for generations. They reserve the best stones just for us.
  • You get the best price possible: We negotiate on your behalf and pay our partners in cash, which means we don’t pay interest, so you don’t pay interest.
  • Widest selection: Whether you’re shopping in-store or online, you can trust that every single diamond has been hand-picked and vetted by our experts to be the most beautiful.


Plus, every engagement ring comes with our All-Inclusive Free Lifetime Warranty℠. It covers everything, including your center stone.


Our Easy Trade-Up Program℠ makes it simple to trade in your diamond when you’re ready to go bigger or try a completely new style.

An engagement ring setting with a marquise loose diamond next to it

How are Shane Co. diamonds better?

We’ve been a family jeweler in the diamond business for almost 100 years and counting. Tom Shane, owner and third-generation jeweler, invented an unprecedented way of sourcing diamonds and offering them to customers. This is still how we do business today.


  • We get first pick: We source directly from trusted industry leaders we've partnered with for generations. They reserve the best stones just for us.
  • You get the best price possible: We negotiate on your behalf and pay our partners upfront in cash, which means we don’t pay interest, so you don’t pay interest.
  • Widest selection: Whether you’re shopping in-store or online, you can trust that every single diamond has been hand-picked and vetted by our experts to be the most beautiful.


Plus, every engagement ring comes with our All-Inclusive Free Lifetime Warranty℠ It covers everything, including your center stone.


Our Easy Trade-Up Program℠ makes it simple to trade in your natural diamond when you’re ready to go bigger or try a completely new style.

Shop Natural Diamonds

Shop Lab-Grown Diamonds