Whether you're choosing that perfect diamonds for the much anticipated engagement ring or you're simply looking for a beautiful gift for that special someone, finding the right diamonds can be nothing short of a headache. The jewelry stores you will visit probably pay their salespeople on commission so you feel like a piece of meat waiting to be attacked the moment you walk through the door. If you start your shopping excursion equipped with knowledge and confidence, you will be much better prepared to recognize when you find a good deal on the diamonds you want.
Diamonds have a few basic characteristics that are crucial to understand when shopping for those perfect diamonds. They are commonly referred to as the four C's: cut, clarity, color and carat. When you take these four C's of diamonds into consideration, you will be much more capable of finding a beautiful diamond that not only fits her hand perfectly, but also your budget.
Cut refers to the angles and proportions of the diamonds when cutting them from rough to polished and shimmering diamonds. If the cut is too deep or too shallow, it will cause light to leak from the diamond, decreasing the shine and the value of the precious jewel. When the diamonds are cut just right, the light will reflect off of each of the sides like mirrors, producing a brilliant display of fire.
Clarity refers to the number of inclusions, or flaws, in diamonds. When the light is trying to perfectly reflect, anything in the path of the light in the diamonds will cause the brilliance to decrease. The fewer the inclusions, the higher the clarity; hence the higher value and shine of the diamond. When looking for inclusions, jewelers will use a magnifying loupe and consider the size, shape and position of the inclusions in the diamonds; these factors all add up to determine the quality.
Color refers to the, well, color of a diamond. Most white diamonds vary in color from absolutely colorless to somewhat yellowed in tint. They are measured by letters from D (colorless) to Z (quite yellow). It is somewhat difficult to see a difference in color from say an E to an F, so the colors of diamonds are considered under very controlled lighting and measured up to a master set by a skilled technician.
Carat refers not to the size of diamonds, but to their weight. One carat diamonds are equal to 200 milligrams in weight. They are also measured in points. Therefore, .50 diamonds are also equal to 50 points or a half of a carat. The heavier diamonds are, the more valuable they are because they are usually larger; this means the light has to travel a longer distance to create a mirrored effect, resulting in much more brilliance. Heavier diamonds are also much harder to find in nature, bringing up their value even more.
If you want to be sure that your diamonds have a good cut, clarity, color and carat, you can ask to see the certification of the diamonds. Certifications are done by certified gemologists and will lay out the specifics of the diamonds you are considering for purchase. Having a certification will not increase the value of your diamonds, but it is a way to ensure that you get what you pay for.
Now you have the basic knowledge to purchase the diamonds of your dreams without being cheated out of your hard-earned money. Take this information as a starting ground to make a sound purchase, but remember to take your time and shop around for the perfect diamonds for your needs.
By Maren Layton