Diamonds are the traditional stones used in engagement and wedding rings. If you are shopping around for a ring for your loved one, you are undoubtedly looking for the perfect ring to present to her. There are certain qualities of a diamond that make it more expensive, and therefore more valuable. These are known as the diamond 4Cs. If you are familiar with these before you walk into a jewelry store, you will feel more knowledgeable as you shop for the perfect ring.
Cut is the first of the diamond 4Cs. Do not confuse a diamond's shape with its cut. Shapes include round, princess cut, emerald cut, asscher cut, cushion cut and more. When a jeweler refers to a diamond's cut, they are referring to the diamond's make, its proportions, the depth of the diamond that allows it to reflect light in a certain way. The ideal cut creates a perfect reflection of light because it is not too shallow nor to deep.
Color is the next diamond quality. Jewelers use a scale to rank the diamonds color, which goes alphabetically from D to Z. The purest, most colorless diamonds are D, E, and F on the scale. Near colorless diamonds are of a very high quality as well, and include stones ranked G, H, or I. If the diamond is going to be set in a white gold or platinum band, you will want to opt for a higher grade diamond. If you choose yellow gold, a faintly yellow diamond will not be detectable.
Clarity is another of the diamond 4Cs. This refers to any flaws in the diamond. As you might expect, the fewer flaws found in a diamond, the greater its worth is. These flaws cannot be detected by the naked eye, but the knowledge that one owns a flawless or near flawless diamond can bring satisfaction to the owner. You can verify whether a diamond is flawless or not by examining it under a loupe, which is tool jewelers use.
Carat is the last of the diamond 4Cs. A carat is a measurement of weight and ultimately determines the size of the diamond. Other than its shape, this quality of a diamond is one of its most noticeable features. The larger the carat, the more the diamond is worth. You can typically find diamonds from .01 carat to 1 carat, though shoppers with very large budgets can afford diamonds that weigh 2 carats or more. The sky is the limit.