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