Whether you're searching for a diamond for yourself – a well-earned splurge on a piece of vintage jewelry guaranteed to last a lifetime and more – or looking to find the perfect ring for the perfect night for the perfect woman, diamond education is the first step toward success.
The most important things to know about diamonds can be summed up in one letter – C. There are four essential Cs in the world of diamonds – cut, color, carat and clarity. Here's how they work.
1. Cut. This refers to how the diamond is sculpted. The cut of a diamond determines its facets and – as a result – how eye-catching it is. When a diamond glimmers and shines, you know the cut is good.
2. Color. When it comes to color, the less the better. Colorless diamonds are pure sparkling transparency. There are still nice colored diamonds, but they're considered less desirable – unless, of course, you're looking for a yellow or pink one!
3. Carat. This is the unit of weight used to measure gemstones and precious metals. More often than not, the higher the carat is, the better.
4. Clarity. For all their beauty, diamonds have dirty beginnings. Clarity refers to how many blemishes or clouded portions the diamond contains.
