When you are planning on purchasing a diamond it is important that you know as much as possible about how diamonds are classified. Learning about diamonds is first learning about the “four Cs” of diamonds which are considered the most important grades and categories:

• Cut
• Clarity
• Color
• Carat weight

These are the criteria jewelers use when grading diamonds, and they’re the ones you’ll need to understand to buy the right diamond for you. Click on each bullet point to learn more.

This is the weight of a diamond measured in carats. As the carat weight of a diamond increases so does its rarity and therefore its price.  Do not rush to judge a diamond based on it’s weight.One carat is divided into 100 “points,” so that a diamond of 75 points weights .75 carats. The carat-weight of a diamond is the easiest measurement to determine. Most importantly, two diamonds can be of equal carat-weight, but their value can differ greatly due to their cut, color, and clarity.

 If your fiance wants a 2 carat engagement ring you can pay as little as $15 for a cubic zirconia on Ebay to $22.500 on diamond.com for a round cut, Clairty SI1-SI2, color G-H. At the end of the day find a setting that pleases your wife.  This actually effects your wife’s like factor of the ring significantly.  The carat weight determines her bragging factor to her friends.

Click here to go back to our diamond buying guide.