| The average person usually does not have the | | | | The color of a diamond can vary a great deal. |
| experience necessary when it comes to choosing | | | | The ideal diamond color is clear white. They can |
| a diamond of good quality. It is a much more | | | | however, range from clear white, to yellow, to |
| complicated process than one might think. There | | | | brown. The chart for color will range from D thru |
| are a lot of separate factors that have to be | | | | Z, D being the best, Z being the worst. If you are |
| considered before making a final decision. That is | | | | buying a jewelry piece that has multiple stones, |
| why you need to familiarize yourself with a | | | | notice the color of all them. They should all match |
| diamond's counterparts called the four C's. | | | | each other in shade. The clarity of a diamond will |
| The four C's are the most important words when | | | | tell you about the internal and external flaws it |
| determining how much the value of a diamond | | | | has. Since there is practically no such thing as a |
| should be. Cut, clarity, color, and caret all play their | | | | perfect diamond, the one you purchase will |
| own part in the end conclusion. When you buy a | | | | assuredly have some degree of flaws. You |
| diamond, it should be accompanied with a | | | | certificate of authenticity should tell you how |
| certificate of authenticity. This should list the four | | | | many flaws the diamond has. |
| C's and state the approximate retail value of the | | | | For example, if there is a dark or a cloudy spot |
| stone. Be sure you get a certificate and make | | | | inside the diamond this is considered an inclusion. If |
| your own comparisons between what it says and | | | | there is a pit, polish line, or scratch on the outer |
| the diamond itself. | | | | surface this would be a blemish. These flaws are |
| The place where you are purchasing your | | | | like fingerprints and will help in identifying the |
| diamond should loan you a loupe to have a closer, | | | | diamond if it is lost or stolen. |
| magnified look at the stone. When you look at the | | | | The fourth C is the diamonds caret weight. This |
| diamond, pay close attention to the facets. Their | | | | determines how big the diamond is. The size of |
| symmetry should be very precise. The | | | | your wallet will generally decide this last factor of |
| preciseness of the cut is what determines the | | | | the diamond you purchase. The bigger the size, |
| diamonds fire and brilliance. If a diamonds cut is | | | | the more you will pay. By utilizing the four Cs and |
| good, it should have a good reflection of light. This | | | | a little shopping around, you are sure to end up |
| reflection of light will give it that glittering, sparkling | | | | with a great diamond. |
| appearance. | | | | |