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