Diamond Rings ARE Forever: Learn the 4 Cs
Whether you and he have discussed marriage or you just have a
hunch that he may pop the question in the near future, you've
probably given some thought to a diamond ring. If you and your
intended shop for your diamond ring together, become familiar
with the elements of diamond quality before you get to the mall.
Invented by the Gemological Institute of America, the diamond
grading system is commonly known as the "4 Cs" - carat, clarity,
color and cut.
Carat
Carat weight measures a diamond's size. Each carat is equal to
100 points. Thus, a .75-carat diamond is the same as a 75-point
stone or a 3/4-carat diamond. According to the Diamond
Information Center, the larger a diamond, the more rare it is.
Not only are larger diamonds found infrequently in nature, but
they also show off the stone's color and cut to the best
advantage.
Clarity
According to the Diamond Information Center, the purer a
diamond, the more brilliant it is. A diamond's clarity is judged
by the number, color, type, size and position of inclusions -
"nature's birthmarks" - it contains. The fewer inclusions the
stone has - as determined by a grading system - the more
valuable it is.
Color
The purer the color of a diamond, the more rare it is. Truly
colorless diamonds are the most valuable, while those with
subtle yellow or brown tones - as determined by a grading system
- are less so. Comparing stones side by side is the best way to
see the color of each stone.
Cut
The Diamond Information Center maintains that, while nature is
responsible for the other three Cs, it is the cut of a stone
that releases its sparkle and beauty. When a diamond is cut to
good proportions, light will reflect from one mirror-like facet
to another and disperse through the top of the stone, resulting
in a display of its brilliance.
There are several different shapes of cut diamonds; the one you
choose depends upon your personal taste. Marquis cuts are out of
style, but Princess, Round, Oval, and Emerald diamond rings are
chosen by many couples.
While diamond rings have traditionally been comprised of a
single diamond or solitaire, the current trend is a ring with a
center stone and side diamonds. As for settings, there are over
half-dozen categories to choose from. The prong setting is still
the first choice for most buyers, but that the bezel setting is
also popular. And, while yellow gold may make a comeback in the
future, the hot metal for diamond rings is still platinum. While
it's pricier, it's also heavier, hypoallergenic, and will never
tarnish.