Tips to Choose Blue Diamonds - Sense of Beauty

Blue diamonds are very rare and natural beauty for over many centuries. They are found in countries like India, Brazil, Indonesia, and South Africa. In India, they are found in the Kollur deposits. The famous 112-carat great blue diamond is a classic example of these diamonds, which was cut into a 45.52 carat Hope Diamond. It is extracted from the Kollur deposits. The color of the diamond is due to the presence of a chemical element called boron. The shades of the blue diamond vary with the presence of tint of this blue color mineral. In such means, the shades of these costly stones naturally occurring are ice blue, sky blue, and ocean blue. These stones with slight tint of this blue color are ice blue diamonds. Sky blue diamonds are fairly brighter with little more tint than the ice blue diamonds. Ocean blue is the darkest of the three shades; it is deep blue with rich tint. An ice blue diamond begins with a white polished diamond and so considered very expensive. Comparatively, ocean blue diamonds begin as a brown diamond shaped and are not as expensive as the ice blue ones, but are reasonably medium priced.
Tips to choose a blue diamond:

While purchasing the blue diamonds,
Choose how important is the originality of the color of diamond to you. These stones with original blue color are rare and highly expensive. Many diamonds are artificially treated under various temperatures and pressure conditions, though these are allowed practices and does not degrade the value of these stones.
Determine whether to get stones loose or buy them as a part of jewelry.
Caring your budget is very important. Even a small variation of shade or tint of color may cost you a fortune. Color diamonds such as blue are very costly compared to colorless diamonds. So choose the expenses carefully and then think of spending the rest in carat, size and other values of diamonds.
The next thing to remember is to decide the place where to get them. Getting them from authorized dealers will cost more than getting from a discount seller who may not provide adequate documentation. While viewing and choosing the blue diamonds,
Choose one with "fancy" color that matches well with your taste and selection.
Choose the diamond by viewing it in various different light settings because dealers prefer atmosphere where their product is at its best. Get a mirror to your side and see it while choosing which jewelry matches your skin tone.
Compare these beautiful stones with different shapes. For example, the ones with round and square cut reflect more light than the ones with rectangular cut.
It is the brilliance of the color in that stone that determine its value. The more it is fancy, the more is its cost. These stones are the finest piece of diamonds that are very rare and stand as the eternal beauty. The diamonds purchased now will stand and grows in value over time.

Carats - Free Guide on Measurement of Diamonds

Whether you are someone who is shopping for an engagement ring or you simply have a love of the history and the glamor of the diamond, you will find that one of the things that you need to understand is carat. Carat is one of the C's that a diamond is going to be graded on, and it is essentially the unit of mass that has been created specifically for use with gems. Therefore, when you are looking at the carat measurement of a diamond, you are looking at its weight. This measurement of gems and diamonds specifically was set in 1907 at the Fourth General Conference of Weights and Measures.



When thinking about the carat measurement, you will find that a carat is considered to be precisely 200 mg, which in terms of English measurements breaks down to .007,055 of an ounce. A carat might also be known as a metric carat, and it can be divided up into 100 points that are two milligrams apiece.
The measure of a carat is one that has a long and interesting history, just like the diamond itself. Going back more than 500 years, you could easily see that people were fascinated by the Shah Diamond, which was found in central India. It adorned the thrones of generations of rulers before it was sent to Russia as a reparation for the slaying of a Russian ambassador. The Shah Diamond is an 88.7 carat yellow diamond of exceptional clarity.
The carat measurement itself gets its name from a French word that was originally Greek. The Greek word in question was keration, or “fruit of the carob,” and this relates the history of the measurement of diamonds to carob seed. It was once believed that carob seeds were known for their identical and uniform weight, though this was later disproved.
Of course when you think about diamonds, you will find that you are a place where you can think about how they can relate to you! Diamonds are a beautiful addition to any jewelry collection, and you will find that they might be more varied than you think. For instance, you might be interested in the cold and brilliant light that you can get from a white diamond, but don't forget that diamonds can come in many shades, from pink to brown to green to a steel blue. You will also find that when you are looking into diamonds as jewelry that there are many terrific cuts that can get, including round, oval, marquise, pear and even a delicate heart shape. The right cut can really bring out the diamond so a good choice when you are selecting stones.
When you are looking to incorporate diamonds into your look, remember that you should think about what kind of effect you can get. For instance, are you interested in the sparkle of a single diamond on your hand or around your neck, or are you more interested in a glittering display? Choosing the right kind of diamond jewelry can help you get the simple or glamorous look that you are interested.
When you are looking to purchase a diamond, you will find that it is important to think about what you know when it comes to both the diamond's history and to the weight that it carries. Make sure that you take a look at your diamond and appreciate it for its worth as well as its weight!

Tips on How to Choose Wedding Day Jewellery

Buying a wedding ring is not a purchase to be rushed. While wedding day jewellery is key to bringing together your look on the big day, you will wear your wedding ring forever. Many jewellers like H.Samuel now have fantastic websites to complement their high street stores. This means that you can either research on the web and go into a store to buy your rings or vice versa. Websites are great for getting hold of unusually large or small sizes, and frequently offer delivery within a couple of days of your order. You can often find more information about jewellery around the site, and even view large photos of the pieces to be sure you are getting exactly what you want. The Blue Nile website is also a good tool for investigating different styles of jewellery, especially engagement rings.




What jewellery should I wear on my wedding day?
What you wear on your wedding day will depend on the style of the occasion.
Classic Blushing Bride

If you are having a traditional, meringue-y wedding dress, then you can get away with big, eye-catching pieces. Try dazzling diamond earrings with a matching tennis bracelet and a delicate pendant. If you’re on a budget, you can get the same look for a fraction of the price with gorgeous cubic zirconia versions of classic jewellery pieces. To perfectly accessorize a strapless gown, try a loosely swept up-do to draw attention to your shoulders, along with some simple, elegant drop earrings that will move and twist and catch the light. Diamond earrings will frame and light up your face for all the photos to give you a radiant glow.

Cool, Contemporary Woman
It’s trickier to get the balance right when your dress is the sort of sleek, elegant creation that characterises the modern wedding. You might choose traditional jewellery to contrast with and soften the contemporary look of your dress. Pearls are a perennial favourite of blushing brides, even before they were worn by the stunning Grace Kelly at her wedding to Prince Rainier of Monaco in 1956. Pearls have a timeless elegance and they are available in a huge variety of shapes, colours and sizes. Make a statement with iridescent, blue-grey Tahitian pearls, or add a feminine touch with perfectly round pretty pink ones. Cultured pearls are readily available on the high street and are much more affordable wedding jewellery than natural pearls. Teardrop-shaped pearls are perfect for ladylike drop earrings or pendants, while a string of gorgeous pink pearls is a reliably feminine accessory.

Indie Chick
Not everyone goes for a traditional white wedding; some opt for genuine individuality and self-expression. Whether your unconventional wedding is planned around a medieval banquet style or a funky urban brunch, pearls and diamonds are unlikely to hit the spot. Jewellery stores (and websites) are full of pieces set with coloured stones, and you have the choice between genuine gems and simulated stones. Coloured cubic zirconia looks fabulous, and you’re bound to find just the right shade somewhere. To really make an impact, why not try accessorizing with funky, gothic-y, vintage-y jewellery? Marcasite jewellery or big black beads will add a striking accent to your wedding dress, whether it’s vintage Edwardian, elegant cream column, or a scarlet tea gown.

Celebrity Weddings
Celebrities through the ages have made their wedding days an occasion to make a style statement. Gwen Stefani, one of People magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful People of 2004, is famed for her unique but immensely successful style. When she married Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale, she wore a stunning white and pink John Galliano creation. To accessorize her unusual, asymmetric gown, Gwen wore an elegantly simple white gold and diamond cross, which looked fabulous. The couple recreated their London wedding two weeks later in Los Angeles, where Gwen’s individual style shone out – she wore the same dress, but instead of the discreet cross, she chose a striking heart pendant of pink tourmalines, peridots and diamonds. Madonna is another big star who chose a simple cross as an accent to her Stella McCartney gown, although not many of us could afford to emulate that particular 37 carat Harry Winston piece.

With this ring, I thee wed.
Of course the most important pieces of jewellery on the big day are your engagement and wedding rings. Most couples opt for simple, timeless wedding bands that will look stylish forever (remember you’ll be wearing it every day for the rest of your life) and will perfectly complement the bride’s sparkling engagement ring. It is traditional to wear your engagement ring on the right hand throughout the ceremony, to leave the third finger of your left hand free for the most symbolic piece of jewellery you’ll ever own, your wedding ring.

How Rare Are Diamonds?

When you're out browsing the gold and diamond treasures at your favorite mall's jewelry store, you see oodles of diamonds in hundreds of settings with fabulous variations of color. And of course, you'll see prices from low and affordable to way up there near Donald Trump's price range.
What you won't know is how in the world did those particular diamonds end up in that store in your city? The story of most diamond's journey from mine to jeweler's display would make Raider's of The Lost Ark seem like a bedtime story!



Millions of diamonds are dug out of the earth. However, fewer than one of 10 million are able to make the grade, so to speak. Mining from the earth is the first source we think of when the subject of diamonds is on the table. Literally tons of diamond ore is mined in order to find a ring sized rough "rock" that can stand the tests and processes that result in a true diamond jewel.
Most of the trash from this process ends up on the tip of your hobby drill, or that of a local mason. These stones are not much good for any type of jewelry but can slice through hardened steel like a knife through butter.
While man-made diamonds are pretty, at least at a glance, they too can loose their luster under the pressure of improper methods of manufacturing which results in their transition into the industrial diamond category.
Now on your next trip to the mall, especially if a special day, or date in on your calendar has arrived, be sure to look knowingly at your visual treasure trove of sparkling diamonds. And think about the journey from muck and mire to flash and fire.
True diamonds are a treasure, not just because of their dollar value, but also for the intricacy and rarity of the special varieties that fulfill our dreams. Lovers and others, who lust for the lasting bobble of beauty that only diamonds can represent, will never settle for anything but the earth's bounty. After all, diamonds do last forever.

CVD Diamond

The chemical vapor disposition (CVD) diamond evolved out of decades old techniques developed during the 1950s. It is interesting note that a concept that is in fact decades old is somewhat still utilized in a modern day process of manufacturing CVD diamonds.

Much of the synthetic diamond industry depends upon a process known as HPHT or high pressure high temperature process. Although this method is considered the dominant process for growing diamonds in today's industry and still remains the primary manufacturing process, a decades old process is still present in the industry for creating a product of outstanding variety of shapes and films which address the needs of an endless array of industries. The process is known as the chemical vapor disposition which grows diamonds through the process of low pressure, a direct opposite method in contrast with HPHT. The low pressure process was developed in the 1950s and still used in present day amidst many other modern technologies that are evolving around this age old concept. The process of growing diamonds through a low pressure process of decomposing carbon provides new opportunities for creating diamond units in different shapes and other qualities that thoroughly make use of a diamond's capabilities.



The importance of CVD process is that it can create the results of HPHT without the high pressures that are required of the HPHT process. The CVD process results in producing a vast array of diamond products which are necessary for many engineering applications through a low pressure process. Although the diamond growing concept dates back to the beginning of the 1900s, the primary advancement in this technology happened during the 1950s and was carried out by scientists in the United States, Russia, and Japan. The company, Union Carbide, was first to complete the successful growth of the diamond back in the 1950s via the CVD process. An interesting fact about the CVD diamond is that at the same time the low pressure method was being used, General Electric was developing the HPHT method successfully. This company made several attempts at producing the CVD diamond via the low pressure method. After several unsuccessful attempts, they abandoned the idea and continued to grow diamonds through the HPHT method.
General Electric's attempts at the low pressure method were being conducted prior to Union Carbide successfully completing their attempt at low pressure production. Following the successful result by Union Carbide, Japanese scientists discovered a method for growing diamonds at a rapid pace through low pressure techniques. This resulted in a major breakthrough in mass producing the CVD diamond and represented a notable milestone for many businesses and industries.
Initially it caused many industries to set unrealistic goals for the diamond electronic products, however, the idea caught on and other commercial agencies began producing the CVD diamond. The increased availability helped grow the diamond electronics industry and the interest in the CVD diamond continued to grow as well.

Right Way to Clean Diamonds

Diamonds are strong and durable, but should be cared for as though they were fine breakable china or more fragile gems. If you are not careful, they can chip or scratch. Diamonds can also get quite dirty with oils from your skin, cosmetics, hair sprays or perfumes.
To properly clean your diamonds, there are a few ways. A quick clean can be done using a commercial jewelry cleaner. You can either dip your jewelry in it or soak them in a tub. To dissolve the oil that accumulate on your diamonds, you can use cold water mixed with ammonia.
To clean in between the prongs of the setting, you can use an eyebrow brush or any other soft brush. When brushing the stones, hold the diamonds by the settings and don't touch the stones. Do not clean your diamond jewelry in the bathroom sink, less you drop it and have to go fishing in the plumbing for your diamonds.

You can also use a soft toothbrush and mild toothpaste to clean diamonds. Under cold running water, use the soft toothbrush to brush out any toothpaste particles stuck in the gaps between the stones and the setting. This method is not really recommended as there is always a risk of scratching the stone. If you do choose this method, make sure that the toothpaste is really low-abrasive. The best solution is still a commercial preparation or ammonia mixed with water.
After cleaning your jewelry, rinse them in a tea infuser or under running water and dry it on a lint-free surface or towel. When putting your jewelry away, store it in a soft, velvet-lined box. To protect your diamond rings and their settings, keep them separate from the other jewelries, do not lump them together. When you are traveling with your jewelry, make sure that it is store in a case specially designed for jewelry or in a soft, lined jewelry roll.
Even if you are wearing your engagement or wedding ring all the time, take care of them. Do not wear them if you are doing work that might cause them to knock against furniture or walls or when you are using harsh cleaning chemicals.

Diamond Fashion Rings

First off, you need to understand that diamond fashion rings fall under the category of fashion jewelry. Fashion jewelry might be better known by its other names which are fake jewelry, junk jewelry or costume jewelry. But just because it is called by those names does not mean that fashion jewelry is automatically worthless – the name fashion jewelry simply means your jewelry is not made of precious metals or precious stones. Instead, fashion jewelry can be manufactured from other materials like synthetic stones, plastic, glass, or base metals (which are all substances that have lesser value than precious stones or precious metals.)


But why are such jewelry (like your diamond fashion rings) called “fashion” jewelry? They got their name because they are usually used for decorative or “fashionable” purposes. Real jewelry made from precious metals and precious stones are not primarily made for fashion purposes even if they look great – real jewelry is usually bought as investments or potential heirlooms. That is why your diamond fashion rings may be of the rather flashy type of jewelry – these were made so you could show them off.
On occasion, diamond fashion rings and other types of fashion jewelry may be made from semi-precious stones as well. Many diamond fashion rings may use other material too, like simulated gemstones ( an example of which is simulated diamonds), high end crystals, wood, acrylic, plastic, metals like nickel, and even lead. The metal part of your diamond fashion rings can be simply gold-plated or silver-plated to produce the same effect as real gold or real silver jewelry.
Fashion jewelry such as diamond fashion rings came into popular usage during the early 20th century. Fashion jewelry also came to be called costume jewelry because these types of jewelry were employed to accessorize costumes for fashion-related reasons. Fashion jewelry was and is also used for theatrical productions, as part of the uniforms or costumes of cast members for the plays.
If fashion jewelry like diamond fashion rings is made of inexpensive materials, does this mean they are snubbed by the rich and famous in favor of real jewelry? Actually, not at all – there are quite a few personalities who used to popularize the use of fashion jewelry and not just real jewelry. For example, Kenneth Jay Lane was known to make unique fashion jewelry pieces for well-known celebrities such as Diana Vreeland, actress Elizabeth Taylor, and former First Lady Jackie Onassis. Another former First Lady, Barbara Bush, even wore a fake pearl necklace crafted by Kenneth Jay Lane when she attended the inaugural ball of her husband when he became President. The great Audrey Hepburn was another fan of Kenneth Jay Lane’s fashion jewelry.
Because some fashion jewelry have been crafted to high standards by perfectionist artisans like Kenneth Jay Lane, the fake jewelry accumulates value over time (especially when demand for the same fake jewelry pieces grows among ordinary consumers.) Such fashion jewelry are thus deemed collectibles and their value comes from how much people want to own them. In the same way that a stamp is just a piece of paper to one person but a treasured artifact to another person, one person’s diamond fashion rings may just be throwaway baubles to an unappreciative observer but a valuable collectible to someone with an eye for fashion jewelries and their potential.

Diamond Necklaces And Diamond Pendants

It may be easy to get confused as to what diamond necklaces are and how they differ from diamond pendants. But actually the difference is quite simple – a jewelry necklace is just any chain that was manufactured out of precious metals; or a chain of precious gems that have been attached to one another to form a chain. A pendant, on the other hand, is a small piece of jewelry that hangs from a chain. Strictly speaking, a pendant is one type of necklace so necklaces may come in other forms of jewelry that do not have pendants.
Diamond pendants, being made up of a small piece of jewelry hanging from a metal chain, will generally have less diamonds embedded into each pendant compared to diamond necklaces that may have diamonds linked to each other all throughout the length of the chain. Some people may prefer to wear diamond pendants because the beauty of the few diamonds or one diamond set into the pendant may be prettier or more appealing to see, than a host of diamonds linked to each other in a diamond necklace. But other people may like their jewelry to be flashier so they choose diamond pendants because these can show off more diamonds to whoever is watching.
Diamond necklaces may be of three types of length – you can buy the choker length, the princess length, or the opera length.

Choker length diamond necklaces are those that surround the neck slightly above your collarbones. Princess length diamond necklaces are those that will hang lower than your collarbones or maybe drape just over the collarbones. (Princess length diamond necklaces are usually the most popular type of diamond necklaces bought by consumers.) The last type, the opera length diamond necklaces, are definitely more dramatic than the first two types because opera length diamond necklaces may hang over your dress front or blouse front – and so are more obvious to see. The jeweler that sells diamond necklaces to you may also have diamond necklaces that are variations of these three main types.
Who usually buys diamond necklaces? It is more accepted nowadays for women to use diamond necklaces, but that is not a hard and fast rule actually. There are really men too who like to wear diamond necklaces, especially diamond pendants, to accentuate their personal style of dressing up. You may find men who wear a diamond stud in one ear and a diamond pendant on a chain around his neck. When used the right way, men can really wear diamond necklaces and look good in the process. However, in more traditional and conservative work environments, men may not be comfortable wearing diamond necklaces or any type of diamond jewelry (aside from maybe a designer watch or diamond bracelet) because they may be mistaken for effeminate men. But in more laid-back work environments, wearing jewelry such as diamond necklaces may have become quite acceptable for men as well as for women in these modern times. In such a case, your diamond necklaces can be safely worn without fear of negative consequences happening to you in the end.

Diamond Pendants And Diamond Bracelets

If you are not familiar with the use of diamond pendants or diamond bracelets, then it may be time to start learning. At some point, you will probably find yourself in a situation where at the very least you have to speak knowledgeably about them.
Diamond pendants are pendants that have diamonds set into their metal (sometimes precious metal) base. A pendant is a piece of jewelry, usually quite small, that you can hang around your neck on a chain. The chain of the pendant may also be made of precious metals, or at least some type of expensive metal. In this sense, diamond pendants can be said to be a way of discreetly showing off the beauty of your wealth.

Diamond bracelets are simply bracelets made out of precious metals or metals with diamonds set into them in a pattern. You wear diamond bracelets on your wrist. We might say that diamond bracelets are a more overt way of displaying your jewelry to others while diamond pendants tend to play down your wealth and just let others get a peep at the jewelry when it flashes at them out of your upper clothing.
The design of diamond pendants is becoming more and more creative as time goes by. One design shows two tiny gold baby shoes into which the diamonds are attractively set. This would probably be an appropriate diamond pendant for a mother who has just given birth, or for the child himself to wear during his baptism. Another design which you might like is for the pendant to be shaped in the form of the infinity symbol (that looks like a number eight) with diamonds set all throughout the shape of the infinity symbol.
Crucifixes are a very popular among those who buy diamond pendants. When crucifixes are used, these diamond pendants may be a bit larger than other types of diamond pendants. But some diamond pendants in the form of crucifixes can also be tiny and discreet.
If you want your diamond pendants to be custom-made, you might want the diamond pendants to also use other precious stones aside from diamonds. Sapphires are a popular choice because these colored gems go so well with the flash and fire of diamonds. Try looking for sapphire and diamond pendants – you’ll see how beautiful the combination is actually with just one glance.
The value of diamond pendants comes not just from the diamonds themselves but also from the artistry that went into designing and making these diamond pendants. A diamond cut and shaped by a novice will be of lesser value than a diamond crafted by a master artisan, even if the rough diamond of the novice was of higher value before being cut and shaped for setting into the pendant. You may want to invest in diamond pendants if you can see the financial value such investments can bring you over time. That is partly why diamond pendants are still in demand today even among people who may not even wear the jewelry themselves or maybe wear them infrequently.
You have to be careful though about where you choose to wear your diamond pendants. That is because if they hang from your neck on a gold chain, it is very easy for a thief to simply grab the pendant and – with one swift tug – break the chain and run away with the pendant. Even if the thief can’t get the gold chain, he will still make a pretty profit from his loot because the diamond pendant may be worth quite a lot on the black market anyway. Wear diamond pendants only in a secure environment where you know you can relax and let your diamond pendant be appreciated by those you encounter.

Palladium Precious Metal

Palladium, not to be confused with platinum, is one of a group of white precious metals that can be used for a variety of commercial applications (i.e. computers, mobile phones, dentistry, medical equipment, fuel cells) as well as in the manufacturing of beautiful pieces of fine jewelry. Most palladium today, however, is used in the manufacture of automobile catalytic converters.
Palladium, named after the asteroid Pallas, was first discovered in 1803 by William Hyde Wollaston. Palladium is a rare metal with the largest deposits found in South Africa, Montana, Canada, and Russia.
The first recorded use of palladium in jewelry was in 1939 as an alternative to platinum or white gold. This precious metal provides the contemporary look of a white metal. Unlike white gold, palladium is naturally bright white and its color will never fade. Palladium has a low melting point but becomes very strong when cooled, making it a good alternative to softer white metals. It can be hammered into very thin leaves just like gold, and can, in fact, be used in the production of white gold.
Palladium offers many of the desirable traits of platinum at a terrific price, considered a fashionable, affordable choice for custom jewelry. The metal is 40% lighter, harder and less expensive than platinum and provides a hypoallergenic metal suitable for those with nickel sensitivities.

Until recently, the use of palladium in jewelry has been limited due to the difficulty of casting this metal. Recent advances, however, have produced a new alloy of palladium that is perfectly suited for jewelry manufacturing, offering consumers an ideal substitution for platinum at a reasonable cost. The most common combination of the metal is 95% palladium and 5% ruthenium, known as 950 Palladium.
Palladium settings are preferred over gold for extra large diamonds and gemstones, since the metal is more durable than gold and less likely to incur damage during every-day wear. Many customers who opt to wear their fine jewelry selections daily prefer the lighter feel of palladium. Larger earrings and necklaces made of palladium can be worn comfortably all day.
If you have found that you are allergic to other types of metals, you may find that palladium is just what you have been looking for. It is a hypoallergenic metal, meaning it won't leave you itching or with a rash where it touches your skin. Since many pierced earring wearers are especially sensitive to some metals, finding studs, hoops and posts that are made of palladium can truly make wearing earrings fun again.
The Chinese have historically been the biggest buyers and producers of palladium jewelry. However, the advances in palladium casting techniques and recent escalation in gold and platinum prices are driving an increasing demand for palladium fine jewelry around the world. The demand is expected to continue to increase as many consumers discover the beauty, durability, and lightness of this lustrous white precious metal. As a result, there is an increasing availability of palladium jewelry in jewelry stores around the world, especially wedding bands and engagement sets, in jewelry stores around the world.

Four C's of Diamond Characteristics

The diamond is, without doubt, the most well liked and valued of all precious stones the world over. While diamonds are often worn to extreme by many celebrities and members of royalty, diamonds are also accessible and prized by the average consumer.
The word diamond is derived from the Greek word "adamas", meaning unconquerable, and the toughness and beauty of the stone has been appreciated and admired since ancient times.
It is said that the Romans believed diamonds to be stars falling through the sky from the tip of the God of Love, Eros's bow, ensuring that everyone who wore diamonds would not only be filled with love but would radiate joy and happiness to all around them. Whether or not this is actually true, diamonds do seem to have an energy form and for this reason there are things you should pay special attention to when purchasing diamonds.
The Four C's of diamonds are Carat, Clarity, Color and Cut and when taking these four aspects into consideration it helps us to discover the real value of the diamond we are about to buy. Although this is a simple system used by trained professional jewelers, it is still very easily applied, even without any specific training.
The Carat
The carat is the unit used to measure the weight of the diamond with one carat weighing 200 milligrams, in other words one fifth of a gram and each carat is then divided further into one hundred points. When the majority of consumers are looking to buy a diamond this is the first thing to catch their attention.

The larger the stone, the more carats it will weigh and it will carry a price tag accordingly. Nonetheless, you would be mistaken for thinking the bigger the better as this is not necessarily the case. You need to find a diamond with an equal balance of the other three C's as well as being a good weight.
The Clarity
The word clarity takes into account the number and level of imperfections within the stone. The clarity rating of a diamond is influenced by any internal characteristics, known as inclusions and surface flaws or blemishes. Although most of these only affect the visual aspect of the diamond, some such imperfections can have an impact on the structural integrity of the stone.
Diamonds which are totally flawless are very rare, but the higher the clarity the more the diamond will cost you. Commencing with FL for Flawless, there are eleven grades of clarity for diamonds which go down in perfection to the lowest levels at I1, I2, and I3, I standing for Included. The range in the middle which is referred to as VVS1, VVS2, (very very slightly included) and VS1, VS2 (very slightly included) are the most popular choice for the majority of diamond purchasers with the grades of flaws only being visible to someone trained in gemology.
The Color
You would be forgiven for thinking, as most people do, that all diamonds are either white or colorless. In general most diamonds have a slight tone of blue, pink or yellow. The ones with blue or pink hues are likely to be of more value than the yellow ones.
The color of the diamond is graded in quite a complex manner ranging from D at the top end of the scale to Z at the bottom. D through to F are the rarest and naturally the most expensive colorless diamonds. G to I are almost colorless and represent great value for money. Any stone graded above K, as long as it has great cut and clarity can still look stunning. K through to M stones are a faint yellow shade, with N to R a slightly lighter shade of yellow than S to Z.
The Cut
This is the property of the diamond considered by the jeweler to be the most important. The way the diamond is made or cut will determine how well the light is reflected within the stone. This is the reason why professionals endeavor to ensure the diamond is cut as precisely as geometrically possible so that more light is reflected. The brilliance of the diamond is lost if the cut is not deep enough because the light will escape from the sides of the stone. On the other hand, if the cut is too deep the light is lost through the bottom of the stone resulting with the diamond looking either dull or dark.
A bright shining diamond, with a symmetrical appearance is a sure indication that the cut is of high quality.