Diamonds

Diamonds are the hardest substance on earth. Diamonds show love. Diamonds are forever. Diamonds are a girl's best friend. Whatever you think you know about diamonds, you must know a few facts before buying a diamond. The easiest way to explain diamonds is using the four Cs: color, cut, clarity, and carat.

Color

While most are white (with a faint tint), diamonds may be any color. Color quality is critical. A stone's beauty and value usually increase dramatically the more colorless it is. The spectrum ranges from light yellow to totally colorless.

Colored diamonds (pinks, blues, yellows, oranges, greens, etc.) are not measured on this scale.

Cut

At the hands of a masterful craftsman, a precisely cut diamond will reflect and refract light, creating sparkle, fire, and brilliance.

The more perfect the cut, the more captivating the diamond is to the eye.

Clarity

Imperfections that formed when a diamond first crystallized are called "inclusions." A "flawless" diamond — one that shows no imperfections under 10-power magnification — is rare. Inclusions seldom affect a stone's beauty, although they do affect price.

Carat

Carat refers to size and weight. One carat equals 100 points. Most rough diamonds weigh less than a carat. The larger the stone, the more rare it is, and the greater its value. However, two diamonds with the same carat weight can vary greatly in value, depending on the color, clarity and most importantly, the cut.