Buying Diamonds
A truly flawless diamond is very rare and expensive. As a product from nature, diamonds have distinct irregularities. While many think that diamonds are always crystal clear, they actually come in a wide array of colors and shades, including pink, blue, orange, green and yellow.
When buying diamonds you want to know as much as possible about the stone. Here are the more important characteristics of diamonds. Known as the 4 C’s, the following attributes affect a diamond’s value.
Clarity - with less irregularities and natural flaws the better the clarity. The more flaws in a diamond the cheaper it would be. Clear diamonds are brighter.
Cut - the brilliance of diamonds depends on its cut. How a diamond refracts light will depend on the many angles in the finish, symmetry, and polish. A well-cut diamond dances with brilliance.
Carat - The unit of weight by which a diamond is measured. One carat equals 200 milligrams, or 0.2 grams. Normally, the larger (and heavier) the diamond the more expensive it is.
Color - with exception of rare colored diamonds (i.e. blue, green and pink) the less color a diamond has the better. Colorless diamonds refract light better and dazzle the eye.
Always buy diamonds from a respectable store, whether online or offline. Ask to see the GIA certificate or AGS certificate of your diamond. If basing a decision on a written appraisal, verify the appraiser.
While there are formulas to determine the monetary value of a diamond ring, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. A diamond should compliment the hands and personality of the wearer. But mostly it ought to be something you really want to wear! Might seem obvious, huh? But you know, you can sometimes forget that when people are talking about 'lifetime investment, blah, blah, blah'.
My next post is going to be about choosing jewelry (in general, not just rings) that complement you visually.
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