What Are the Four Cs for Picking Out an Engagement Ring?

The diamond ring has long been a symbol of intent to marry.

In the United States, diamond rings are the traditional engagement gift, given from a groom to his future bride. Diamonds are especially prized for their rarity, being some of the most precious and valuable minerals on earth. Diamonds of sufficient quality can be held as a material investment, since the rate at which they appreciate or depreciate is practically negligible. Selecting a good-quality gemstone is dependent on several factors.

Cut

Diamonds can be cut into various shapes, in order to emphasize the crystalline structure of the gem. These can be oval-shaped, square, round, heart shaped, or several other basic types. A correctly cut gem appears to be perfectly formed when you view it from above, refracting light throughout its various angles perfectly. This light refraction is extremely important in brilliance of a gem. An imprecise or flawed cut exacerbates any fractures or imperfections the gem may have and makes it appear dull.

Color

The color of a diamond gemstone is on a spectrum from yellowish to no color or clear. This coloration is graded from A (completely clear) to Z (highly tinted). Some customers prefer a slight tint to offset the color and hue of ring band they choose, but a completely clear diamond is less likely to occur than a tinted gem, making them more desirable, thus more expensive. This tint is called the "glow" of a diamond, and gives the gem a warm color that some customers prefer.

Clarity

Clarity is also graded on a spectrum, from "Flawless" to "Included." An inclusion is a chip, cavity, fissure, fracture or cloudy flaw which usually requires a jeweler's glass (magnifying glass) to see properly. The dividing line between acceptable and unacceptable inclusions is whether or not these flaws can be seen upon close inspection with the naked eye. Gems with fewer flaws are usually more lustrous and have more precise and pronounced crystalline structures.

Carat

The carat is the quality of the gem that most affects the price of the gem -- carat referring to the size (and weight) of the diamond. Typically, diamond rings don't much exceed three carats and are usually under one carat. This is also a reflection of the natural formation of diamonds, much like clarity and color. Larger, fully formed gems are proportionately rarer than small gems and are therefore more expensive.

References

• Know Your Diamonds: The 4 C’s; October 2008
• Gemological Institute of America: About the 4Cs