Learn Diamond Lingo

If you’re like most men, you probably have no clue what a quality diamond looks like. Start familiarizing yourself with the “four C’s” and you’re well on your way to finding a great diamond ring for your loved one.

The “four C’s” are:

CUT: The shape and make of a diamond.
COLOR: The shade of the diamond, which can range from colorless to various shades of yellow.
CARAT WEIGHT: The weight of the diamond.
CLARITY: The number of imperfections in the stone. However, just because a diamond is not flawless doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a good value.

Since you need a gemology degree to really know your stuff, make sure the ring you’re buying was certified by a major gemological organization, either the Gemological Institute of America or the American Gem Society. They won’t give you a price value of the stone, but they will give you an idea of the quality of the stone.

Often, learning the “four C’s” is not enough to figure out if you’re getting a good quality diamond. Take the time to do some work and find a jeweler who will explain all these details to you. This jeweler should have a track record, be in business for about 10 to 20 years, with a gem expert on hand in the store who can help you compare stones. Also, don’t settle on one jeweler. Shop around. The more you learn, the better you will be able to make a decision.

DID YOU KNOW? In 2006, the average cost of an engagement ring was $3,200.