| The most widespread of engagement traditions | | | | |
| is the groom presenting his bride to be with | | | | E: Colorless. Only minute traces of color can |
| a ring. Most frequently, the engagement ring | | | | be detected by an expert gemologist. A rare |
| is a diamond ring. Even though diamonds are | | | | diamond. |
| the most desired by brides to be, diamonds | | | | |
| are not the only precious stones used in | | | | F: Colorless. Slight color detected by an |
| engagement rings. | | | | expert gemologist, but still considered a |
| | | | "colorless" grade. A high-quality diamond. |
| If your choice of engagement ring is a | | | | |
| diamond ring, be prepared to spend. The | | | | Another essential factor determining the |
| diamond jewelry retail market is a $30 | | | | price of a diamond is its cut. Just like |
| billion market. Over $5 billion is spent on | | | | color, cut, is equally difficult to judge for |
| engagement ring in the U.S. market. | | | | the untrained eye. The grading certificate |
| | | | that typically comes with the diamond will |
| To the untrained eye, most diamonds look very | | | | give you a good idea. Independent testing |
| similar. Most people differentiate between | | | | laboratories, such the GIA, provide |
| diamonds based on size, shape, and price. A | | | | certificates with a diamond's grading from |
| lower price usually means lower diamond | | | | excellent to poor. A certified diamond also |
| quality, not necessarily a bargain. | | | | means a bigger price tag. |
| | | | |
| Judging diamond quality requires skill and | | | | The clarity of a diamond simply refers to its |
| experience, and it involves grading a ring | | | | purity. Most diamonds have minuscule markings |
| based on a combination of characteristics | | | | called "inclusions". A flawless (no |
| such as cut, clarity, color and carat weight. | | | | inclusions) diamond is very rare and |
| The above characteristics are called the "4 | | | | valuable, while a diamond riddled with |
| Cs". A diamond's weight is measured in | | | | inclusions is less expensive. Clarity is |
| carats, equivalent to one fifth of a gram. | | | | ranked from "flawless" (FL) to "imperfect" |
| Usually diamonds range from 0.25 up to | | | | (I1 to I2). Most diamonds fall between those |
| several carats. Weight is only one way of | | | | with very, very small inclusions (VVS1) to |
| valuing a diamond, color is another. | | | | rocks with slightly larger inclusions (S1). |
| Colorless diamonds are the most rare and they | | | | If you are willing to compromise on clarity, |
| are the most valuable. Colored diamonds with | | | | you can expect to save. To verify a diamond's |
| a hint of yellow are more common and less | | | | clarity, examine the laboratory certificate. |
| expensive. | | | | |
| | | | If you're on a tight budget, try to stay away |
| Diamond colors are coded from D to Z. A D | | | | from the big name jewelry stores. Brand name |
| grade is the most valuable and Z is least | | | | usually comes with a larger price tag. Buying |
| valuable. Diamonds graded D-F are considered | | | | wholesale may be an option. Normally the |
| colorless and they are the most valuable. | | | | wholesaler's core business is selling |
| Many reputable jewelry stores do not sell K | | | | diamonds to retailers, but they also sell to |
| thru Z grade diamonds. | | | | the public. Because they do not advertise in |
| | | | the traditional methods, nor are they located |
| The most valuable color grades: | | | | in shopping malls, you have to seek them out. |
| | | | You will find some wholesalers listed as |
| D: Absolutely colorless. The highest color | | | | diamond merchants in the Yellow Pages. |
| grade, which is extremely rare. | | | | |