How do I Figure Out the Best Clarity & Color in a Diamond Engagement Ring?

White or colorless diamonds are the most common.

Capture your bride-to-be's heart and take her breath away with a marriage proposal that's accompanied by a stunning engagement ring. Choose a ring that she'll love to show off by ensuring the diamond has excellent clarity and color. With a bit of diamond knowledge, you can trust that you'll find a stone that equals the sparkle in your fiancee's eyes.

Things You'll Need

• Diamond color chart
• Diamond clarity scale
• Jeweler's eye

Instructions

1. Review the diamond color chart. The color grading scale runs from the letters "D" to "Z" in the alphabet. With "D" beginning the scale, diamonds run from colorless, otherwise known as white, to a strong yellow, noted by the letter "Z."

2. Review the diamond clarity scale. It's very rare to find a diamond that's perfect, with the stone having no imperfections or blemishes. Diamonds are rated on a clarity scale that ranges from FI, which is flawless, to S12 > 13, which would be a diamond that has multiple imperfections.

3. Analyze your diamond with a jeweler's eye. By looking at the stone in a magnified view, you can see any imperfections that may affect the clarity as well as get an in-depth look at the color.

4. Read the information about your diamond. When purchasing a diamond, you want to ensure the seller is truthful. Whether buying the diamond from a person or through a store, there should be literature about the stone, including its rating on the color grading scale and clarity chart.

5. Take your diamond to a trusted and reputable jewelry store, which is somewhere other than where it was purchased, so you can compare its rating of the diamond to the seller's. The best way to determine a stone's color and clarity is to compare your diamond to a diamond that's pre-graded and not in a ring setting. Pre-graded diamonds fall within the range of "E" through "J" in the color scale, so they're nearly colorless. Comparing your diamond to a pre-graded one can assist you in determining the color of your diamond.

Tips & Warnings

• Once the purchase of your diamond is complete, get insurance on the engagement ring in case it's ever lost or stolen.

References

• Diamond Articles