| There are four "C's" in determining the valuation | | | | number one criterion to consider when purchasing |
| of a diamond: | | | | a special diamond for a special occasion. |
| Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat weight. | | | | 3. CLARITY: Real diamonds generally tend to have |
| 1. CUT: Judging the 'cut' of a diamond refers to | | | | small flaws such as tiny inclusions, air bubbles, or |
| the pricing of a diamond in accordance with how | | | | traces of other minerals inside the stone. While |
| that diamond is sculpted and shaped to allow for a | | | | the presence of these tiny imperfections become |
| maximum shine and a heightened ability to reflect | | | | the key factor in determining a real diamond from |
| light. Cut can be difficult for a layperson to | | | | a fake, the quality and value of a diamond |
| evaluate, so it is important to get your diamond | | | | depends very much on a diamonds clarity. The |
| professionally appraised and to obtain a AGS or | | | | best kinds of real diamonds have imperfections |
| GIA Certificate to verify the quality of the cut. A | | | | that can only be detected under a skilled diamond |
| diamonds cut can also affect its durability. | | | | graders 10-power microscope. |
| 2. COLOR: If you are shopping for a diamond | | | | 4. CARAT WEIGHT: The 'carat' is the common |
| wedding ring or a diamond engagement ring, then | | | | unit weight measurement for diamonds, where |
| it is important that you pay close attention to the | | | | one carat is equal to 200 milligrams and 142 |
| value of a diamond's color. A Diamonds ability to | | | | carats equal one ounce. The bigger the rock, the |
| refract light is dependant on its degree of | | | | more carats it has, and the more carats it has, |
| whiteness, making the whitest of white diamonds | | | | the more expensive it becomes. Many feel that |
| considerably more valuable than there lesser-white | | | | the size of the diamond is just as important as |
| counterparts. Many experts name color as the | | | | the other 'C' criterion. |