| The most common of engagement traditions is | | | | A - D: Absolutely colorless. The highest |
| the groom presenting the bride to be with an | | | | color grade, which is extremely |
| engagement ring. Most commonly, the | | | | extraordinary. |
| engagement ring is a diamond ring. While | | | | |
| diamonds are the preferred precious stones, | | | | E: Colorless. An expert, still considered a |
| diamonds are not the only gems used in | | | | rare diamond, can detect only minute traces |
| engagement rings. | | | | of color. |
| | | | |
| The most important reason diamond rings are | | | | F: Colorless. Slight color detected by an |
| so popular is because they are the most | | | | expert gemologist, but still considered a |
| expensive of gems; therefore, considered the | | | | "colorless" grade and a high-quality diamond. |
| most precious. The diamond jewelry retail | | | | |
| market is a $30 billion market with over $5 | | | | Another important factor determining the |
| billion of it spent on engagement rings in | | | | price of a diamond is its cut. As any of the |
| America. | | | | other characteristics cut is equally |
| | | | difficult to judge for the untrained eye. The |
| To the untrained eye, most diamonds look | | | | grading certificate that normally comes with |
| equally beautiful. Most people evaluate | | | | the diamond will provide you a good idea. |
| diamonds based on its size, shape, and price. | | | | Independent testing institutions, such as the |
| A lower price typically means lower gem | | | | GIA, provide certificates with a diamond's |
| quality, not necessarily a bargain. | | | | grading from excellent to poor. Naturally, a |
| | | | certified diamond means a larger price tag. |
| Estimating diamond quality requires skill and | | | | |
| experience. It requires grading a ring based | | | | In simple terms, the clarity of a diamond |
| on a combination of characteristics such as | | | | refers to its purity. Most diamonds have |
| cut, clarity, color and carat weight. Such | | | | minuscule imperfections called "inclusions". |
| characteristics are called the "4 Cs". A | | | | A flawless (no inclusions) diamond is |
| diamond's weight is measured in carats. One | | | | extremely rare and valuable. At the same |
| carat is one fifth of a gram. Generally | | | | time, diamonds riddled with inclusions are |
| diamonds range from 0.25 up to several | | | | less expensive. Clarity is graded from |
| carats. The largest cut diamond in the world | | | | "flawless" (FL) to "imperfect" (I1 to I2). |
| is 530.20 carats. Sorry, it is not fore sale. | | | | Most diamonds fall between those with very, |
| It is called the Cullinan and kept in the | | | | very small inclusions (VVS1) to rocks with |
| Tower of London. The Cullinan is set in the | | | | slightly larger inclusions (S1). If you can |
| sceptre of King Edward VII. | | | | compromise on clarity, you are going to be |
| | | | able to save. To verify a diamond's clarity, |
| In addition to considering weight when | | | | examine the laboratory certificate. |
| valuing a diamond, color is an important | | | | |
| factor. Colorless diamonds are rarest and | | | | If money is tight but you must have a diamond |
| they are the most expensive. Diamonds with a | | | | ring, stay away from the big name jewelry |
| hint of yellow are considered less pure, and | | | | stores. Brand name more often than not comes |
| they are less expensive. Diamond colors are | | | | with a larger price tag. Buying wholesale may |
| coded from D to Z. A through D grade diamonds | | | | be a viable option. As a rule, the |
| are the most expensive and Z are the least | | | | wholesaler's core business is selling |
| expensive. Diamonds graded D-F are considered | | | | diamonds to retailers, but they also sell to |
| colorless and they are the most expensive. | | | | the public. Because they do not advertise in |
| Reputable jewelry stores, usually, do not | | | | the same venues as retail jewelry stores, you |
| sell K thru Z grade diamonds. | | | | have to seek them out. It is easier to find |
| | | | wholesalers than you think since many of them |
| The most valuable color grades: | | | | are listed as diamond merchants in the phone |
| | | | book. |