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Significance
A diamond ring, especially if it's an engagement ring with a large center stone, can be one of the most expensive items you'll ever purchase. It's essential to know all you can about every aspect of buying a diamond ring so you can get the best deal and not be scammed by unethical salespeople. Go in with a set budget and barter to get the best deal.
Function
Learning as much as you can will ensure that you are purchasing a quality diamond ring. The more knowledge you have, the better you can barter with jewelers to get the best possible price. Discover all you can about the four Cs, compare prices and don't be afraid to ask questions about diamonds and ring settings.
Types
Anyone interested in buying a diamond ring needs to know the four Cs--color, cut, clarity and carat. Diamond color is graded from D through I, with D being colorless; diamonds below an I grade are faintly yellow. Cut refers to the shape--such as round, marquise or princess--and also the quality of the cut. An ideal cut possesses near-perfect brilliance and shine; the other grades are excellent, very good, good, fair and poor. Clarity describes the number of flaws in a diamond and uses the designations Flawless, VVS1-VVS2 (very very slightly included), VS1-VS2 (very slightly), SI1-SI2 (slightly included) and I1-I2 (included). Only diamonds in the I1-I2 category have flaws visible to the naked eye. Carat is the weight measurement of the diamond. The larger the number, the larger the stone.
Considerations
The higher the grades of the four Cs, the more the diamond ring will cost. If you cannot afford a ring with a large diamond, consider buying one with a number of smaller diamonds arranged to give the appearance of a large center stone. Four .25-carat princess-cut stones mounted in a square pattern will look larger than a 1-carat princess cut and come at a lower price. Consider a less popular cut if you want to spend less money.
Size
The size of a center stone in a diamond ring and the metal it is set in, such as gold or platinum, determines the cost. An overly large diamond can look disproportionate to the ring-wearer's hand. When buying a ring as a gift, it helps to know the recipient's ring size so it can be properly sized beforehand. If the ring is for yourself, a jeweler can determine your ring size while you are at the store.
Warning
If you decide to purchase a diamond ring online, make sure the dealer is established and in good standing. Search the Internet for reviews of the online store and only order from those places with mostly positive feedback. Whether you buy a diamond ring from a brick-and-mortar jewelry store or an online vendor, be sure it comes with paperwork from a well-known gemology institute that certifies the specifics of the diamond.