When buying a diamond, you will need to familiarize yourself with the 4 Cs of diamonds: Clarity, Color, Cut and Carat. Understanding more of a diamond’s features, you will be able to determine the best price of your ring.
Clarity
A diamond’s clarity is one of the primary factors in evaluating its price. The clarity of the diamond refers to how easily you can see the imperfections in it. For example, a large but cloudy diamond may worth less than a small but transparent and shiny one. The imperfection on the surface is called ‘blemishes’ while the imperfection on the inside is called ‘inclusions’. The fewer flaws in a diamond, the more light can be reflected and the more expensive it is.
Color
There are a few color grades for diamonds that range from clear to a light yellow tint. The more colorless the diamond has, the less sparkle it is and the less expensive it is. There are also other colored diamonds that are very expensive, such as red, green, blue and pink diamonds.
Cut
The cut of the diamond refers to how the diamond is shaped. A good cut predisposes the amount of light that can enter into the stone, refract and emit that brilliant quality that women love in a diamond. The most popular cuts are the 58-facet round cut and oval cut (which have 58 flat faces surrounding the flat top of the diamond).
Carat
The carat refers to the size and weight of the diamond. Jewelers use a points system to weigh the diamonds; 1 carat equals 100 points. So, a diamond that weighs 0.50 carat is called 50 points. When choosing the diamond size, you should consider your fiancé’s finger size, a 1 carat stone can be enough to make a statement.
When comparing diamonds, you should always compare them loose and not inserted to the ring. It is easier to spot the imperfections to make sure the price you paid is fair.