When choosing a diamond, there are four factors that should influence your purchase: color, cut, clarity, and carat weight.
The color scale for white diamonds goes from D for a colorless stone to Z for yellow.
Colorless diamonds have often been the most desirable stones and, therefore, the most expensive.
However, stones with fancy colors such as yellow or pink are even rarer and more costly.
Commonly, when selecting a diamond, you should choose a white diamond with color between G and J for the best price range.
Diamonds can be cut in a variety of ways.
A properly cut diamond will reflect light up to your eye.
A poorly cut diamond will allow light to pass through, reducing the desired sparkle and even causing the stone to appear dark.
Look closely at the way the stone reflects light before making a purchase.
Diamond clarity is rated based on flaws, or inclusions, the stone may contain.
The clarity rating scale goes from FL for a flawless diamond to I3 for an imperfect diamond.
The price decreases significantly moving across the scale.
Even if the stone contains inclusions, it may not be noticeable with the naked eye.
Generally, a stone rated between flawless and slight inclusions will be acceptable.
Carat weight, or the size of the diamond, is most frequently considered when making a purchase.
Lower carat diamonds are less costly because they are more easily found.
Also, they are less likely to have color or clarity issues.
Diamonds are often purchased with a weight between one-half carat and one carat.