Some 50 percent of consumers are unclear of the clarity of the diamond in their engagement ring, and around one-third couldn’t provide its color or cut grades, according to a new survey of engagement ring buyers conducted by The Wedding Report.

“As much as the industry tries to make the Four C’s the standard, I don’t think most consumers really understand them,” says Shane McMurray, the site’s founder and CEO. “That seems to me an opportunity for the industry either to change the way it communicates or remove that verbiage. Because consumers just don’t know or care.”

Respondents had the best knowledge of their stone’s size. Only 20 percent didn’t know how many carats their rock was.

The survey was conducted using 950 samples from a survey on engagement ring purchases; 21,100 samples from single-question polls on engagement rings; and 6,800 samples from The Wedding Report’s annual Wedding Cost Survey.

Other findings:

– The average amount spent of an engagement ring in 2015 was $3,361, roughly even with The Wedding Report’s past numbers (but less than that garnered by The Knot).

– Despite the talk of increased sales of colored gemstone engagement rings, an overwhelming majority (85.4 percent) of brides- and grooms-to-be purchased diamond-only rings. Only 5.3 percent went for a ring with just colored stones, while 9.3 percent opted for a mix of diamonds and colored stones.

– Some 16 percent of respondents purchased their engagement ring online or by mail, versus 84 percent from a physical retailer. The number one channel for purchasing engagement rings remains local independent jewelers, and 31 percent of respondents purchased their ring at a locally owned store.

The Wedding Report’s Survey on Engagement Rings

What is the shape of the diamond in your engagement ring?

Round             43.5%

Princess          27%

Cushion          9.5%

Emerald         4.9%

Oval                4.6%

Radiant           3.4%

Marquise        2.6%

Other              4.5%

 

What is the color grade of the diamond in your engagement ring?

Thirty-three percent did not know. The numbers below reflect those who answered.

D, E, F              52.4%

G, H, I, J           42.6%

K,L,M               2.3%

N-Z                  2.8%

 

What is the clarity grade of the diamond in your engagement ring?

Fifty percent did not know. The numbers below reflect those who answered.

Flawless, IF   23.6%

VVS1, VVS2  25.7%

VS1, VS2       26.3%

SI1, SI2         20.6%

I1, I2, I3          3.7%

 

What is the cut grade of the diamond in your engagement ring?

Thirty-one percent did not know. The numbers below reflect those who answered.

Excellent                    35.6%

Very good                   43.2%

Good                           18.0%

Fair                             2.9%

Poor                            0.2%

 

What is the carat weight of the diamond in your engagement ring?

Twenty percent did not know. The numbers below reflect those who answered.

.25 ct. or less            5.9%

The .5 ct. range        9.3%

The .75 ct. range      11.4%

The 1 ct. range          23.9%

The 1.25 cts. range   11.6%

The 1.5 cts. range      9.3%

The 1.75 cts. range   5.7%

2 cts. or more             14.3%

 

What metal did you use with your ring?

White gold                 65.4%

Platinum                    14.9%

Yellow gold                8.3%

Sterling silver             7.2%

Titanium                    0.8%

Tungsten carbide     0.6%

Other                          2.8%

 

All data courtesy The Wedding Report

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