The Ins And Outs Of Purchasing A Diamond

The decision to purchase an engagement ring for your girlfriend is not only an emotional choice, but a large financial commitment. As such, this can be one of the most stressful times in a man’s life. But truth be told, buying a diamond doesn’t have to be over thought or too complicated.

But learn about the Diamond 4Cs ahead of time, and it’ll help you know what to look for, decide what your priorities are, and make the choice that’s right for you (and your wallet). Luckily, the folks at Shane Co., the largest family-owned jewelry store in the US, are here to help!

In the jewelry trade, the quality of a diamond is judged according to the “Four Cs”: Carat, Clarity, Color and Cut. Carat refers to the weight of the diamond, Clarity describes the stone’s internal purity, Color indicates the absence of color, and Cut determines how much that diamond sparkles.

While you might be tempted to buy “only the best diamond” for your girl, you need to realize that you can save a considerable amount of money by going with slightly lower grades in each category. The difference between a clarity of FL and VVS2 is pretty much impossible to discern, even under magnification, but you can believe that the price difference between the two stones is significant.

While the 4 Cs provide good direction for judging a diamond’s quality, you need to decide what the most important properties are for you and your future wife. Would she prefer a larger diamond with more inclusions or a smaller stone with better clarity? There’s no right or wrong – it’s simply a case of personal preference.

The following infographic breaks down the 4 Cs in a nice easy-to-read format:

If you need more information on chooseing the perfect diamond for your engagement ring, make sure you visit the Shane Co. website, which is chock full of information that’s designed to make your purchasing decisions that much easier!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Shane Co. The opinions and text are all mine.