Diamonds

BUYING AN ENGAGEMENT RING
Buying a diamond engagement ring is a tremendous undertaking. Remember, this is a symbol of your ever-lasting love for her. You have to get "the right ring." Besides that, it is a significant expense, so you'll want to make sure you get the most for your money. Unfortunately, there is a lot of mis-information out there about the quality and cost of a diamond. And if you're like most guys, buying jewelry isn't something that you know too much about. Some couples pick out the ring together. This can be much easier on the guy because the style decision is totally up to her. Guys who are buying the ring without her knowledge have a bigger hill to climb. But either way, it's easy to be had by some fast talking salesman. The only way to be prepared is to do your homework first. Here's what you'll need to know: Diamonds come in a variety of shapes. Here are some of the most popular:

Brilliant	Oval	Marquise	Heart	Princess	Emerald	Pear

The shape of the diamond you purchase is really a matter of personal preference. Whatever you think she will like, or whatever she feels looks best on her hand. However, it should be noted that the round brilliant diamond is, without a doubt, the most popular for an engagement ring. Due to its geometrical shape, the brilliant stone reflects more light (resulting in more sparkle) than any other diamond. Also worth mentioning, the marquise diamond is known to be the "most for your money". Typically, all other factors being equal, you will be able to buy a bigger (more carat weight) marquise for the same price.
After you decide on a shape, there are four primary factors that impact the quality and price of a diamond. These are known as the four C's: Clarity, Color, Carat, and Cut. The Gemology Institute of America (GIA) has established standards to rate the various factors that determine the value of a diamond. Many jewelers will have their diamonds certified by the GIA. While this is an added measure of assurance for the buyer, it is not always necessary.
CLARITY refers to the relative presence or absence of internal flaws (called inclusions) or external defects, such as scratches or chips. Anything that prohibits the maximum movement of light within or through a stone affects its clarity. Click here to learn more about clarity.
COLOR refers to the relative absence of color in a diamond. The most valuable diamonds are those with the least internal color (white diamonds). Click here to learn more about color.
CARAT weight is a universally accepted measurement of a diamonds weight. Typically, the higher the carat, the larger the diamond is. The greater the weight of the individual stone, the higher the price per carat will be. A one carat diamond of any given quality will cost significantly more than two half-carat diamonds of the same quality.
CUT not only involves the shape of the diamond, but also the size, angle, relative uniformity, and polish of the facets. Cut is important because it has a tremendous impact on the clarity, color, and sparkle of a diamond. Even with the best color and clarity, a diamond can appear dull without the proper cut. Cut is a feature that is almost impossible for the average person to judge. Thankfully, with modern computer controlled cutting techniques, most diamonds purchased at a reputable jeweler have close to ideal proportions.