How to Select the Perfect Diamond

Thinking of getting engaged? Congratulations! You will soon experience the exciting yet complex task of buying a diamond. Your fiancée will cherish this ring for the rest of her life, so it’s very important to find a diamond that appeals to both of you on a deep level. Choosing a ring can be more complicated than it looks—you may have heard of the four C's before (color, clarity, cut and carat), but how do you judge them in person? Use these helpful tips from the experts at 77 Diamonds to purchase an engagement ring your betrothed will love for a lifetime.

The Four Cs

1. Color: Diamonds are graded on a color scale from D to Z, with D being colorless (and therefore, the most pricey). Colorless diamonds fall into the D - F range. The whiter a diamond is, the more it will allow light to pass through it to reflect and shine. When you purchase a diamond, be sure to inquire about its color grade.

2. Clarity: A diamond’s clarity is determined by how perfect it is on the surface. A diamond may have small scratches or imperfections, which can detract from its overall beauty. Stones with the highest clarity are rare and described as being "flawless." However, a diamond doesn't necessarily have to be flawless in order to be considered stunning.

3. Cut: Not to be confused with shape, the cut of a diamond refers to its exact proportions. The more perfectly a diamond is cut, the more sparkle it will have. A good cut creates a diamond brilliance, which is a light that appears to shine from the very heart of the diamond.

Shape, on the other hand, is the geometric category of your stone. From a teardrop pear to a heart-shaped diamond, there are many different options to choose from. Round or oval-shaped diamonds are the most popular, since they are believed to possess the most brilliance. Square and rectangle shapes are also very common.

4. Carat: Diamond carat refers to weight and is based on a points system (100 points equals one carat.) The value of a diamond increases with carat size, since the bigger the diamond, the more rare and expensive it is.

Your search for the perfect diamond starts at 77 Diamonds, where you can customize an engagement ring by selecting your favorite metal, diamond size, clarity, cut...you name it.

Happy shopping!

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