| The average diamond engagement ring costs as | | | | know: SI1 or SI2 represent the best value. The |
| much as several notebook computers, or possibly | | | | "slight inclusion" rating means the imperfections |
| a small car, yet many men know next to nothing | | | | are obvious under magnification, but still impossible |
| about how to make sure they don't get ripped | | | | to see with the naked eye. |
| off when it comes time to tie the knot. Luckily, | | | | Color is measured in letters which begin with D, |
| although there is much to know about diamonds | | | | which stands for "Colorless" (don't ask). E and F |
| there are only a few things you need to | | | | are slightly less colorless to electronic color |
| remember, and I'm about to tell you what they | | | | measuring equipment, but not human eyes. G, H, |
| are. | | | | and I are considered "near colorless" and it goes |
| First, make sure you know the shape of the | | | | on from there into the yellows (and pinks, and |
| diamond you want. The most common are | | | | more!). G is where the best value is because it is |
| "Princess" (which looks square from the top) and | | | | technically colored but appears colorless to anyone |
| "Round" which is also called "Brilliant" or "American" | | | | who isn't a color scanning machine built for rating |
| cut. Your jeweler can show you other popular | | | | diamonds. |
| cuts, but some of the ones worth mentioning are | | | | You will notice I did not discuss "Carat". This is a |
| "Pear", "Emerald", "Oval" and "Heart", all of which | | | | measurement of weight and has absolutely no |
| look pretty much like what you would expect. | | | | bearing on the quality of the stone. That being |
| After deciding on a shape it's time to get your | | | | said, it has a LOT of bearing to most girls hoping |
| hands dirty with the technical stuff. I recommend | | | | to wear one someday. If you are one of the |
| looking at only GIA certified diamonds so you can | | | | many men who feel the need to push your ring |
| be sure of the quality and compare different | | | | budget in the direction of rock-size then keep in |
| diamonds (and different prices) more easily. | | | | mind what you've read above. No matter the size |
| We'll start with the most difficult factor: Cut. And | | | | of the stone your best value will always be a GIA |
| I'll start by telling you to ignore it for the most | | | | certified SI1 G stone. Just make sure the cut isn't |
| part. Basically, if the diamond is too shallow or too | | | | obviously too shallow or deep. |
| deep it will affect how it "sparkles". Just make | | | | Oh, and price around. There are three classes of |
| sure the diamond looks fairly normal and you'll be | | | | diamond dealers, the most expensive of which is |
| fine. | | | | represented by department stores like Fortunoff, |
| Diamonds, believe it or not usually have | | | | which carry a lot of uncertified (read: low-quality) |
| imperfections inside of them. These are called | | | | diamonds at prices near or at what a good quality |
| "inclusions" and are measured on a scale of "very, | | | | rock costs. |
| very slight" to full-blown "inclusion". All you need to | | | | |