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