The 4 C's Primer

As I am in the market for a wedding band, googling "diamond wedding rings" will take you to a million different places. Of course, I always stop by sites that showcase beautiful engagement rings. And those that have educational tidbits about the quintessential 4 C's. Therefore, I learn.

As I learn more about diamonds, I came to realize that Carat should be the last C to consider when choosing a stone. I used to think the bigger the diamond, the better it is. It is really not the case.

Take note that Carat does not refer to the dimensions, but the weight of the stone. Why the distinction? Because weight can hide in different parts of the stone. You can have a) well-cut, b) deep, or c) shallow diamonds. Some may appear larger than others due to its cut.

To me, I think Cut is the most important because it determines the diamond's sparkle and brilliance. With an ideal cut diamond, rays of light that pass through the stone reflect back to the eye. They call this "maximum light return". A poorly cut diamond does not reflect light well, therefore appears a little darker than it should.

Of course, Color is important too, so if you have the budget, avoid anything faint yellow or lower (K-Z color). As for Clarity, you can get away with this in lower grades so long as the diamond is eye clean.

Most importantly, make sure that your stone is backed up by a Diamond Certificate issued by a reputable gemological laboratory (i.e. GIA: Gemological Institute of America). In laymen's terms, they are the "authority" in determining your diamond's true 4 C's, which obviously affects its actual price. Many diamond sellers fool buyers with fake 4 C ratings, jacking up the actual price of the stone. So, be careful.

However, at the end of the day, it does not really matter what size or color or cut your diamond is. What truly matters is the pure intention of the person who has decided to give you something to symbolize his everlasting love. (Cheesy!)