How to Choose a Diamond Engagement Ring

You can find the perfect engagement ring by learning "The 4 Cs."

Choosing a diamond engagement ring can be intimidating, but with a few simple bits of information commonly called "The 4 Cs" you can educate yourself to make a wise decision. The sales people at jewelry stores that sell engagement rings are paid to know about diamonds and to help you in your decision-making process. Determining your budget before you go shopping will help you know what selection of diamonds and settings you have to choose from.

Instructions

1. Choose the clarity you would like for the diamond from the store's engagement ring selection. The clarity refers to how flawless a diamond is. Clarity is graded on the following scale: F (flawless), IF (internally flawless), VVS (very very slightly), VS (very slightly), SI (slightly included), I (included). The best diamonds have a clarity grade of F or IF.

2. Choose the diamond's carat size. Diamonds are weighed in carats. The larger the carat, the more valuable the stone.

3. Choose the color of the diamond. The scale for color range from D through Z. The best diamonds are colorless grade D, E or F. Almost colorless, or white diamonds, are grades G through J. After this, the color becomes faint yellow into brown.

4. Choose the cut of the diamond. The cut of the diamond depends on not only personal taste, but the quality of the diamond in the other three areas. There are many cuts to choose from. "Brilliant cut" is round and the most popular. Some other cuts include "princess," "cushion," "pear," "marquise" and "emerald."

5. Choose a setting for the diamond from the store's selection.

Tips & Warnings

• When choosing the setting of the ring, "solitaire" is the most popular and is designed to show off the diamond. It is a plain band of gold or platinum with a head for the diamond to sit in. A setting with small diamond side stones is a way to add extra brilliance to complement the center diamond. These preferences are based on personal taste. Some settings are sold in sets with a matching wedding band.

• When choosing the cut of your diamond, be aware that even if the clarity and color are perfect, if the diamond is cut wrong, it will not refract the light properly, causing the diamond to look dull. If the color of your diamond is less than perfect, you may want to stay with a "brilliant" or "princess" cut, which tend to hide the color imperfections.

References

• Barsky Diamonds: Diamond Education