So you’re thinking about proposing to the girl of your dreams, but you don’t know the first thing about diamonds or diamond engagement rings. What do you do? For one, you talk to trusted friends about their knowledge of the subject. For two, you can consult with a jeweler that you are comfortable with that will help you find the perfect ring. For three? You can read this article explaining the four basic C’s of all diamonds. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="571"] Diamond Clarity Scale[/caption]

1. Cut – Contrary to popular belief, the cut of the diamond is not just the shape of it. It also refers to the number of facets a diamond has. The more facets it has, the brighter it shines and reflects light. Some shapes will always have more facets than others. A square shape generally has less facets than a solitaire, as an example.
2. Color – Appraisers will always check the color of a diamond very closely. Many diamonds have natural hints of pale brown or yellow. Depending on what natural elements are working in the earth when the diamond is created under high pressure before being thrust to the surface will affect the color. Natural colored diamonds are very rare and as a result, very expensive. Pink is the most abundant natural diamond color. White diamonds are generally not pure white. They often have hints of fogginess or tinges of yellow, though usually only seen by a trained jeweler under a microscope. Some diamonds are artificially treated in a lab and come in abundant and vibrant colors such as blue and red.
3. Clarity – The clarity refers to how many blemishes or inclusions a diamond has. Blemishes refers to any flaws on the outside of the diamond and inclusions refers to any flaws on the inside. Many blemishes and inclusions are too small to be seen by the naked eye and can only be seen under a high powered microscope. The grading of the flaws can affect the value of the diamond significantly even if most people won’t notice the difference.
4. Carat – Carat is probably the most well-known word to a diamond novice. Long story short – carat refers to the diamond’s size. That being said, bigger is not always better. A 1 carat stone that has a low clarity and color might be worth less than a ½ carat stone with a perfect color and almost no imperfections.

  Go in to your jeweler with this knowledge and they will know you are serious about finding the perfect ring. A little education goes a long way….and this is one of the most important gifts you will ever give. Knowledge is key.