How to Pick the Perfect Diamond

When approaching a jewelry sales counter there is a natural instinct for men and women to become immersed in all of the pretty, shiny things. For some reason the twinkling of diamonds has the tendency to blur our vision and interfere with our spending limit. Luckily for the prospective diamond buyer, there is a method to the madness. If you ask anyone that is knowledgeable about diamonds they will tell you the most important thing is the four C’s. When picking out the perfect diamond you must focus your attention on cut, clarity, color and carat. The process of searching for a diamond is almost as complicated as mining one on your own. Following these few simple steps will help you easily pinpoint the perfect diamond to wear or gift.

What You Will Need:

 * A good set of eyes

 * The ability to say no to expensive things  

 * An idea of what you are looking for

 * An honest budget

Choosing Your Diamond:

  Step 1:  Approach the jewelry store counter of your choice and tell an available salesman that you will be shopping for a diamond.

  Step 2: Discuss with a stylish friend, family member, or receiver of the diamond what shape you would like the diamond to be in. The shape of the diamond is also known as the cut. Some people consider the cut to be one of the most important characteristics of a diamond because it really determines how the diamond will look when it is set in jewelry. If you are unsure of what to look for and you want a reliable diamond, it is always safe to stick with an “ideal cut”. Pick out the diamonds that are the ideal cut and move forward to the next step.

  Step 3: Next you need to focus your attention on the clarity of the diamonds that you have selected so far. Though most of the time the imperfections on diamonds, known as inclusions, are invisible to the naked eye, trustworthy jewelers will inform you of any marks or flaws. Select the possible diamonds that suite your clarity standards and then consider the diamond color.

  Step 4: Moving forward to the third “C” of diamond characteristics brings you to the decision of color. The higher the grade of a diamonds color, the higher the price of the diamond will be. Luckily for the buyer or wearer, the tints of diamonds are not noticeable to the untrained eye. It is said that cheaper diamonds have a yellowed tint that affects the way they reflect light, however colorless diamonds are so rare and expensive that the slightly tinted diamonds are much more marketable. There are also many options for fancy, colored stones such as chocolate or rose diamonds. These unique options may add expense but they also add class and personality. Choose the potential diamonds that look the best to your own eye.

  Step 5: A huge factor in the diamond market is the diamonds carat (k). For those new to the diamond world carats are the unit of measurement for weight or size of a diamond. When searching for the perfect diamond you should know what size you will be looking for, this will have a major impact on the amount of money you are willing to spend. The carat of a diamond will not affect the quality as the other c’s do, however it will affect the way the diamond is presented on the wearer. For example, you should not select a large diamond to be set into a ring if the wearer of the ring has small hands. Out of the final diamond options select the carat the will fit in your price range and will represent the wearer flawlessly.

  Step 6: If you want to be precise in your selection, a jeweler can tell you every precise detail about the diamond you have selected. The Gemological Institute of America or GIA grades diamonds in each important area. Before purchasing your diamond use this grade as a final check point.