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How to Buy a Diamond

There are four factors that a contribute to the diamond value known as the 4 C's: Carat weight,Color,Clarity and Cut
 
Carat Weight
 
Carat weight is the easiest of the 4 C's
Carat is the measure of the weight of a diamond. the greater the carat weight, the rarer and more expensive the diamond is. Two diamonds of equal carat weight might vary in value depending upon their cut, color and clarity.
One carat is divided into 100 points a half-carat stone may be referred to as a "50-pointer" or "50-points".
 
Color
 
Diamond color is one of the most important factors ,colorless diamonds or white diamonds (D,E ,F)  are rare and more expensive than near-colorless diamonds (G,H,I,J) 
The color of the diamond is really up to you some people prefer slightly tinted diamonds(J,K,L) that are more affordable, in most cases your best choise would be near colorless diamonds (G,H,I,J)
 
 
   
 
 
Clarity
 
Clarity refers to how free a diamond is from naturally microscopic imperfections ,Diamonds are assigned clarity grades based on what can be detected with ten-power magnification.
diamonds with relatively few clarity characteristics are very rare and more expensive ,imperfections show up as minute black or white marks , our advice is to look at several diamonds of different clarity grades and let your eye be the guide!
 

 
 Cut
 
A well-cut  diamond will allow the maximum amount of light to enter and reflect back to your eye.
The width and depth have the greatest effect on how light travels within the diamond it is the
cut that provides a diamond with it's brilliance, Many consider cutting quality to be the most important diamond characteristic
 
 
   
 
 
Conflict Diamonds (Blood Diamonds)
 
Conflict diamonds are diamonds that originate from areas controlled by forces opposed to legitimate and internationally recognized governments, and are used to fund military action in opposition to those governments ,Conflict diamonds are those sold in order to fund armed conflict and civil war used by warlords and rebels to buy arms during the devastating wars in Angola and Sierra Leone
 
What's being done to stop conflict diamonds?
 
In 2003 The Kimberley Process was introduced requires participants to certify that shipments of rough diamonds are conflict-free
covers the entire diamond supply chain, from mine to point of sale ,today less than 1% of all diamonds sold in the US are
considered conflict diamonds
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How To buy A Diamond Engagement Ring From a Trusted Jeweler

 
So you have been together for more than a year, You know she's the one and you are not annoyed by her leaving her hair all over your bathroom , it's time to  pop the question!

 

The first thing you need after realizing you are ready so spend the rest of your life with your woman is picking the right ring. You want something to reflect your taste, her taste and your commitment to her, a ring that has a great design but yet timeless.

 



Find Your Budget


The first thing you need to figure out is your budget. As a role of thumb, you should spend at least two paychecks on the ring. You should feel a "scratch" in your wallet, after all she is going to wear this ring everyday for the rest of her life, don’t go overboard though it’s not a cocktail ring . Trying to save some money? Go for a solitaire ring which is basically just a band with a prong to hold the diamond.

it’s a classic, and shouldn’t cost much.

Still, if you are buying a solitaire make sure you are getting a high clarity diamond (at least SI2) since that diamond is going to be the main and only focus of the ring.

 

 

Find What She Likes

 

It has become very common for the woman to join the man in the purchase of an engagement ring. That’s fine and sometimes can be a great idea if you really have no clue what your future wife likes. If you want to keep the element of surprise and go the traditional way, you should talk to her girlfriends, they are sure to know what she likes.

 

 

The most classic, timeless and safest way to go as far as the shape of a diamond is the round brilliant; it is elegant and sure to never go out of style.

In recent years a lot of other shapes became popular like cushion and radiant cut and also different colors like fancy yellow diamonds, still if you are not sure what she likes don’t pick any of this shapes, especially because the shape of the diamond usually effects the type of the ring. If you know what shape of diamond she likes it is sure to make your life easier picking the right engagement ring. Besides, most jewelers wouldn’t mind changing the ring for a different one if you are keeping the same diamond.

 
 
Choose The Right Stone

 
So I guess you already know everything there is to know about the four C’s (Color, Clarity, Carat weight and Cut) if not visit this website to learn more: http://www.mizrahidiamonds.com/education  or visit GIA education section at http://howtobuyadiamond.gia.edu

 
All of the four C’s can affect diamond price but they are all personal preference as well. Picking the highest color, clarity, carat weight combination will sure to get you a great diamond but are you going to spend $120,000 on your engagement ring? If you can afford one so with all means go ahead, but if you are the average person you are not going to spend that much. Again the smart thing to do is to know your budget! Than ask your jeweler to show you a few diamonds all with the same price range but with different color, clarity, carat weight combination. You can see a 1 carat diamond going for the same price as a 1 ½ carat but with different color and/or clarity, again it is all personal preference. Do you rather get a big rock with SI2 clarity or a smaller diamond with VVS1 clarity? If you are asking me I would go with an average color-clarity combination F to H color and VS2 to SI2 in clarity. If your engagement ring is white gold or platinum don’t pick a diamond that has a lower color than H since white metal accents near colorless in diamonds.

 

 

Find a Trusted Jeweler

 

Most people find it Hard to locate a jeweler they can trust in their area.

It is actually the easiest part in buying a diamond engagement ring but at the same time the most important one.

The easiest way is just ask your friends and family they sure to know at least one good jewelry store in your area.

 

Another great way is to go to “A Diamond Is Forever” website and click on “find a jeweler” 

 

A Diamond is forever is an information and education source on diamonds and new designs and does not sell any jewelry featured on their website.

 

You can also try Jewelers Of America website http://www.jewelers.org  and click on “Find a jeweler”.

Jewelers of America advocate for professionalism and high social, ethical, and environmental standards in the jewelry trade.

 

That’s it! Now you know everything there is to know about Engagement Rings so go out there and find her perfect ring. Good Luck!