Diamond Engagement Ring - The 4 Cs You Must Get Right

Diamonds are unique. Most of them were formed over 3 billion years ago under extreme conditions, and are mined under extreme climatic and geographical conditions. Formed of carbon, they were created under conditions of massive pressure and heat. Because their crystalline structure is so tightly organised, diamonds are the hardest structure known to exist.

When choosing your engagement ring, you need to consider the 4 Cs - cut, colour, clarity and carat.

Firstly, the cut of a diamond engagement ring can determine the value of the diamond. It takes expertise and precision to ensure the gem sparkles in the best way. For example, if it is cut too shallow then light escapes through the bottom; but if it is cut too deep then light goes out of the side. So, the stone has to be cut exactly right so that light goes through the top. This gives the diamond its brilliance and sparkle. The better the cut, then the better the brilliance and sparkle as the light is reflected within the stone from one facet to another, leaving through the top.

Don't confuse the cut of a diamond with its shape. Its shape refers to its outer appearance, such as round or pear. So, when you are told about, or read on your diamond certificate about, its cut, this is to do with how well it reflects the light going into it. That is, the cut refers to its brilliance.

Secondly, the whiter a diamond's colour then the more value it has. The whiter your diamond engagement ring stone, the greater its sparkle. However, because of the way diamonds are formed, actually pure white ones are rare.

Jewellers use a grading for colouring in white diamonds from grade D for colourless through to light yellow colouring in grades S to Z.

Thirdly, the better the clarity of the diamond then the fewer the flaws in it. There are two types of flaws. Inclusion flaws are those inside the stone. Blemishes are those on the surface of the diamond.

Inclusions include specks of carbon, cracks and non-diamond materials trapped inside the stone. Some blemishes happen when the diamond is being cut. So, the fewer the inclusions and blemishes, the more valuable the diamond. There is a five criteria grading from IF for Internally Flawless to I for Inclusions that can be seen with the naked eye.

Fourthly, carat weight, which is a unit of measurement, is used to show the weight of a diamond. A carat is 200 milligrams or one-fifth of a gram. The value of a diamond rises according to size because the conditions under which the stones are made are rare. So, larger stones are rarer.

What size should you buy? You might want to use the general rule of spending the equivalent of one month's salary. Also, take into consideration that if your fiancee would like a larger stone then you could purchase a bigger diamond which is graded rather lower for colour and clarity, and thereby control the price.

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