By
eHow Fashion, Style & Personal Care Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Step1
Take the time to learn and understand the four C’s of diamonds so you are an informed diamond shopper.
Step2
Study the cuts of the diamonds you are considering. The different cuts determine each diamond's shape and brilliance.
Step3
Assess the color of the diamonds, knowing that generally the clearer the color of the stone, the more valuable it will be. The GIA (Gemological Institute of America) created a worldwide diamond color scale with colors ranging from D to Z, with D being a colorless diamond. The scale continues for fancy-colored diamonds. Fancy diamonds are stones with rich deep color and are very valuable. Pink and red diamonds are the rarest and most expensive.
Step4
Focus on the clarity of the diamonds. Check for any inclusions, which are imperfections or blemishes in the diamond. The value of a diamond drops approximately 10 percent with each lower clarity grade. For an excellent clarity guide, visit the Diamonds and Engagement Rings website (see Resources below).
Step5
Know that carat measures a diamond’s weight, not its size. A diamond may appear larger if it has a shallow cut but be less valuable than a smaller stone of a higher carat.