| Familiarize yourself with the 4Cs of diamond | | | | meaning N to X in color. Beyond that point is what |
| buying. They are: Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat | | | | is classified as Fancy Yellow and that is a totally |
| Weight. WhiteFire offers a wide selection of | | | | different ballgame. |
| diamonds in many shapes and sizes. You should | | | | Here is a good buying tip to keep in mind. |
| purchase a diamond that is ideal for by way of | | | | Diamonds are best viewed when they are loose. |
| price and quality. | | | | It is difficult to tell color when a diamond is in the |
| Cut - The cut of the diamond can affect its price | | | | ring setting, even for a professional. Most |
| by as much as 50%. However, please know that | | | | diamonds will face up as a whiter color when they |
| Cut does NOT mean the shape of the diamond. | | | | are already set in the ring mounting. |
| By shape I mean popular cuts like the Round | | | | Clarity - Clarity refers to how clean the gem is of |
| Brilliant, Princess, Oval, Radiant, etc. Cut refers to | | | | inclusions. Inclusions are naturally occurring |
| symmetry or how well a diamond is proportioned. | | | | characteristics within the diamond, kind of a |
| Another term used within the diamond industry is | | | | fingerprint of the diamond if you will. Just as no |
| "make" of the diamond. The Cut or Make of the | | | | one will ever have your finger print pattern, no |
| diamond determines how a well-proportioned | | | | two diamonds will ever have the same inclusions |
| diamond will sparkle after it is fashioned and | | | | oriented in the same way. It is extremely unlikely. |
| polished for the end user. Again, a well-cut | | | | The more inclusions a diamond has, the less |
| diamond will command a higher price at market. A | | | | valuable it is. Inclusions seen to the unaided eye |
| poorly cut diamond will not be as "fiery" or | | | | are even less costly. Fewer inclusions in a diamond |
| "brilliant" and will be less costly. | | | | command a higher price, as they are rarer than |
| Color - Color is another important factor in | | | | included diamonds. |
| determining the value of a diamond. A diamonds | | | | Carat Weight - The higher the carat weight of |
| body color or color grade is determined by using | | | | the diamond, the more you will pay. A Carat is |
| a letter grading scale developed by the | | | | the unit of measurement used for weighing |
| Gemological Institute of America. The color | | | | gemstone. The smaller unit of measurement |
| grading scale starts with the letter D of the | | | | under a carat is a called point's. One carat is equal |
| alphabet and goes down to the letter X. Starting | | | | to 100 points. Half of a carat is equal to 50 points, |
| with the letter D, the diamond will be at its | | | | so fourth and so on. Obviously diamonds come in |
| whitest color and is also referred to colorless. As | | | | many different weights. The key is determining |
| you move further down the grading scale | | | | what you budget allows. |
| towards X, the diamond will gradually become less | | | | If your future fiancé has small hands it may |
| colorless and typically have more yellow color. | | | | be that a larger diamond is not necessary for her |
| White or colorless diamonds are rare and | | | | hands. If she has larger hands, then you may |
| therefore more valuable or costly. The more color | | | | have to go with a larger diamond. Talk to her, |
| or yellow a diamond has, the least costly is. The | | | | feel her out and try to get an idea of what she |
| color grading scale is basically broken down into | | | | prefers. Or if you are trying to keep it a surprise, |
| four categories. | | | | ask a family member or close friend of hers what |
| Colorless- consisting of D to F in color, Near | | | | she might desire. In doing so, you are sure to buy |
| Colorless- G through J in color, Faint Yellow- K to | | | | her a diamond engagement ring she will cherish |
| in M in color and Very Light or Light Yellow- | | | | for a lifetime! |