| There are four factors that determine the value | | | | The trend these days is for couples to ring shop |
| of a diamond, known as the 4Cs. The combination | | | | together, but if you're more of a traditionalist and |
| of the 4Cs determines each diamond's value. | | | | looking to surprise her with a ring she'll love, be |
| Master these important facts and you need to | | | | sure to do some reconnaissance. You can ask her |
| prepare in buying a diamonds. | | | | best friend or sibling for help -- and swear them |
| Carat - This word for the measurement of a | | | | to secrecy |
| diamond's weight is derived from the carob seeds | | | | 4:Buy Loose Diamonds |
| that were used to balance scales in ancient times. | | | | Unless you're buying an estate ring, chances are, |
| A carat is equal to 200 milligrams and there are | | | | you'll be looking at loose stones as opposed to |
| 142 carats to an ounce. | | | | stones in a setting. The stone accounts for the |
| Color - Diamonds come in every color of the | | | | vast majority of a ring's cost, so wouldn't you |
| spectrum, but the most popular gems are white. | | | | want to get the most gorgeous one imaginable. |
| Truly colorless, icy-white diamonds are extremely | | | | 5:Work Your Budget |
| rare and therefore the most costly. Stones are | | | | Throw out that old two-months salary myth; you |
| graded by color and given designations dependent | | | | should buy the best ring you can without going |
| on how far they deviate from the purest white. | | | | into major debt. If she's a size queen and your |
| Clarity - A diamond's clarity is affected by any | | | | budget isn't supersized, go for a ring with a slightly |
| external irregularities and internal imperfections | | | | larger table, or surface, area. You won't get as |
| created by nature when the diamond was | | | | much sparkle, but a one-carat ring will look much |
| formed. Imperfections such as spots, bubbles or | | | | larger if the stone isn't as deep. |
| lines are called inclusions. | | | | 6:Shop Safe |
| Cut - Each diamond is cut according to an exact | | | | Always start your jeweler search with |
| mathematical formula. The most common cut, the | | | | recommendations from friends and family. No |
| round brilliant, has 58 facets, or small, flat, polished | | | | leads? Check for industry organization affiliation. |
| planes designed to yield the maximum amount of | | | | Stores accredited by the Jewelers of America or |
| light to be reflected back to the viewer. | | | | members of the Gemological Institute of America |
| 1: Shape | | | | (GIA) are good starting places. |
| Even before those infamous 4Cs (cut, color, | | | | 7:Give Yourself 6 Weeks |
| clarity, and carat), you must know what shape | | | | Remember that once ordered, a ring can take up |
| your future fiancee loves. Shape indicates the | | | | to six weeks to arrive, potentially longer if you're |
| actual geometry of the stone, as opposed to cut, | | | | having it custom designed. If you want to |
| which relates to the angles of the facets in the | | | | engrave the inside of the ring, be sure to request |
| stone. | | | | the inscription when you place your order. |
| 2: Settings | | | | 8:Design Your Own |
| A quality setting -- the metal framework in which | | | | Diamonds one carat or larger should be |
| your stone is mounted -- can set the tone for a | | | | accompanied by a diamond-grading report issued |
| ring. A classic round gets a fresh and modern | | | | by an independent gemological association such as |
| makeover in a bezel setting. A trendy oval can | | | | the GIA or the American Gem Society. You |
| look more traditional in a four-prong setting. | | | | might also get a "fingerprint" of your ring on the |
| Getting the right combo of shape and setting is | | | | bill of sale, which would include the stone's 4Cs, |
| key. | | | | shape, dimensions, and any cosmetic |
| 3:Her Style | | | | enhancements. |