They are cut (the shape of your diamond), clarity (the amount of spots, cracks and flaws), color (is your diamond completely clear or does it have a deep color?) and carat, the measure of weight for diamonds.
So the first one is cut. Is your diamond round and equally wide as it is tall? That's called a round and brilliant cut, and it's the most valuable cut there is. When your diamond is either flatter or taller in shape, it becomes less valuable. This goes for every diamond there is, except for a triangular cut, which can also be very valuable because it is in fact very rare.
Clarity is a bit harder to judge because you can't always see it with the naked eye. However, it's possible to get a very close estimate simply by holding your diamond against a lot of light. Do you see any spots, marks of flaws in it? If it looks as clear as water, your diamond is very valuable. If it looks polluted and has spots, cracks or flaws in it, value decreases.
The third is color, and in diamonds, color is a bad thing. The more colorless a diamond is, the more valuable it becomes. However, if you have a natural black diamond, you can expect a price almost as high. This is because certain colors are very rare, and they quickly add to the price if you're after one.
And finally, the last trait to look for in a diamond is of course carat. This is the most well known characteristic to judge diamond value, the higher the carat, the higher the price. To illustrate, 95% of women will never own a diamond over 1 carat. It's that rare.
So when you hit the stores, the traders or the pawn shops, always remember to pay close attention the 4 C's of cut, clarity, color and carat.
So the only danger left to you now is judging whether it's real or not. Too many people have already been "duped" with fake labratory made diamonds from Russia and Eastern Europe. It's hard to tell the difference, which makes it all the more important you shop at a trusted dealer.
This is especially important when your gift is a symbol of love and devotion. Don't take risks and skimp out on something important as a wedding or engagement ring. Your partner might not be able to tell the different immediately, but lab created diamonds don't last as long and eventually always give up their secret. There's nothing like the real thing, and when you do get a good deal, it'll last you an eternity.
Enjoy shopping!
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