Everything You Need to Know Before Purchasing a Diamond

by Kevin Fertenbaugh - Kevs Jewelry Designs

Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but there’s a whole lot more that goes into buying one than many people realize. If you’re thinking about purchasing a diamond, it helps to understand the basics of what makes diamonds so special, how they are graded and priced, and where you can find the perfect stone for you. Here is what you need to know before buying a diamond.

The 4 C's of Diamonds

When assessing the value and quality of diamonds, jewelers use what is known as the 4 C's method. The 4 C's stand for Cut, Clarity, Color, and Carat Weight. Each of these factors contributes to the overall beauty and value of any given diamond. Here’s an overview of how each factor affects the diamond’s price tag:

Cut – The cut refers to a diamond’s shape—round being the most popular—and its ability to reflect light. The cut also determines how much brilliance (or sparkle) the diamond has when viewed from different angles. A well-cut diamond will allow light to enter through its top portion and then reflect light back out from its sides in brilliant flashes. Poorly cut diamonds tend to have less sparkle because their angles are not precisely cut in order to maximize light reflection.

Clarity – Clarity refers to any imperfections or blemishes that may exist on or inside of a diamond (such as clouds or black spots). These flaws can cause light reflection issues which affect both color intensity and brightness. Generally speaking, diamonds with fewer flaws tend to be more expensive than those with noticeable imperfections.

Color – While all diamonds appear white at first glance, they actually come in many different shades such as yellow, pink, blue or green (the latter two being quite rare). Colorless diamonds are highly sought after since they are considered most valuable; however colored stones can also fetch high prices depending on how rare their hue is.

Carat Weight – Carat weight is simply a measure of how big or small a particular stone is; one carat equals 0.2 grams which works out to roughly 200 milligrams in size. Larger stones may appear brighter due to their larger size but this isn't always true since cut and clarity also play important roles in determining brightness/sparkle levels.

Buying a diamond should be an educated decision based on your budget and preferences for quality versus quantity when it comes to size/weight measurements as well as clarity/color gradings — all four factors have an impact on price point so understanding them will help you make an informed purchase that meets your needs without breaking the bank! As long as you do your research and shop around for the best deals available, you should end up with exactly what you are looking for without having paid too much money for it! Good luck!