Image via Flickr by jurvetson
If you’re in the market for diamond jewelry, there are a few things you should know before ever setting foot in a jewelry store or even shopping online. The price of diamonds are based on four categories that are often referred to as the four Cs — carat, cut, color, and clarity. Take a look at each of these categories to learn how they affect the price of your diamond.
Higher Price for Higher Carat Weight
The cost of a diamond increases exponentially as the weight of the carrat increases. This means you can save a lot of money by choosing a center diamond that weighs under 1 carat. Once you reach 1.5 carats, you’ll have to fork over a small fortune because diamonds become more and more rare as their weight increases.
Not All Diamonds Are Cut the Same Way
Diamonds are cut into different shapes for different types of diamond jewelry. For instance, the different diamond shapes includes round, princess, oval, marquise, heart, pear, emerald, trilliant, radiant, and cushion. Most people have a diamond cut preference, so you should try to find out what your significant other likes before buying diamond jewelry for them. The diamond cut is probably the most important category to consider because it plays the biggest role in how a diamond looks.
Each Diamond Has a Unique Color Hue
Diamonds are awarded a value number based on their color. You want to buy a diamond with a letter value of J or higher, meaning J-D. This is because these diamonds have the least amount of color. If you thought all diamonds were clear, you were wrong. Some have a slightly yellowish hue that makes them worth less money. Of course, pink diamonds are more rare, so they have a higher value.
Clarity Can’t Be Detected by the Eye
All diamonds have imperfections, even if they are microscopic. You can get a better deal on diamond jewelry with flaws. This is a great way to save money because these flaws aren’t typically visible to the naked eye. Of course, you should never buy a diamond before examining it yourself first.
Understanding each of these diamond terms should help you make a better buying decision. Although, don’t forget to take into consideration the jewelry itself. Picking out the diamond is only half the battle, but it is definitely an important one.