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How to Buy a Diamond -The 4 C’s
And guys, we're not talking Corvettes, Cigars,
CDs and Courvoisier
Somewhere along
the line it happened: Your honey went from being your honey to being
THE honey of all honeys. A ring starts to weigh on your mind. But
before you toss out all your little black books and get down on
bended knee, you have to get a *ring*. Creative types might think
they can get away with the ring from the Cracker Jack box, but we
can't guarantee an enthusiastic "yes" from your desired
spouse-to-be. Most likely, she'll be looking for something brilliant
and white (but not necessarily, keep reading to the end) —
a diamond.
Blame it on the
Archduke Maximilian of Austria, who started the diamond engagement
ring trend way back in 1477 when he presented one to his beloved,
Mary of Burgundy. Ever since then, men have been saving up to buy
one. Although we're sure there are a few savvy women out there saving
up for a man's engagement ring, or even thrifty brides-to-be who
are chipping in for their own! Anyway, although two month's salary
is a good guideline to use in determining how much to spend, it's
a very personal choice and, after all, love tends to blur one's
guidelines a bit anyway.
There are seven basic
shapes to consider when diamond shopping: oval, round, marquise,
emerald, pear-shaped, and heart-shaped. Most important, however,
is the quality of the stone, and to determine quality you must
understand the 4 C's, which are as follows.
Carat
weight: The weight/size of a diamond is measured in carats.
One carat is divided into one hundred segments called "points."
As in the decimal system, one hundred and twenty five points equals
one and a quarter carats.
Clarity:
This is the degree to which a diamond is free of inclusions. Where
the inclusions lie, their size, and their type determine the value
of the stone. Inclusions are rated as follows:
FL = Flawless
IF = Internally Flawless — minor surface blemishes
VVS1-VVS2 = Very, Very Small inclusions
VS1-VS2 = Very Small Inclusions
SI1-SI2 = Small Inclusions
I1-I2-I3 = Imperfect — inclusions visible to the eye
Slight inclusions,
although they reduce the value of a diamond, do not take anything
away from its beauty.
Color:
This is another aspect where scarcity determines value. Colorless
diamonds are extremely scarce in nature. Gradations from high white
to beginning yellows are not easily perceptible to an unpracticed
eye. The exceptions to high value equaling colorless stones lie
in the bright-colored diamonds, i.e., amber, red, blue, etc.These
diamonds, in the larger sizes, command enormous prices and are quickly
snatched up by collectors worldwide.
Cut:
Today the art of diamond cutting has been refined to precise mathematical
formulae. Most diamonds are cut with 58 facets. A good cut is determined
by the stone's light-reflecting properties and its light dispersion.
The cut you finally choose, however, is a matter of personal taste.
Your sweetie's not
the diamond type? Why not consider a different gemstone? Although
colored gemstone engagement and wedding rings are unusual in the
U.S. today, they are the traditional choice for wedding and engagement
jewelry for the royal families of Europe:
Princess Diana and
Sarah Ferguson both received colored gemstone engagement rings.
Rubies, sapphires, and emeralds have been treasured for thousands
of years, longer than any other gemstones. This venerable tradition
has been revived and is now the strongest new trend in bridal jewelry.
A growing number of famous women today — including Ivana Trump,
Kirstie Alley, and Jane Fonda — are wearing engagement rings
featuring colored gemstones instead of diamonds. Sapphire is the
most popular choice for a colored gemstone engagement ring, followed
by ruby and emerald.
Gemstones also have
specific meanings (besides your eternal love for her, of course):
Sincerity:
Sapphire A gift of this gem says you're not just kidding
around.
Electricity:
Tourmaline Squeeze this gem and it gives off electricity.
Give it and create sparks.
Passion:
Ruby The ancients believed this gem contained an unquenchable
fire.
Marital
Harmony: Aquamarine Say you're sorry, give her this gem
and promise that it will never, ever, happen again.
Fertility:
Emerald This gemstone may not help create quintuplets,
but twins aren't out of the question.
Love:
Emerald The gem of Venus says love lot more persuasively
than a dozen roses.
Hope:
Opal Show your faith that things will work out. Now all
you have to do is figure out her ring size...
by Fred Cuellar,
author of the best-selling book "How to Buy a Diamond." More questions?
Ask the Diamond Guy®
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