Amanda Gizzi: Hi! I am Amanda Gizzi at Jewellery Information Center, and today we'll talk about how to buy a diamond.

When buying a diamond consider the four C's- color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. Together the four C's determine a diamond's value. It is essential to learn about each of the four C's before purchasing a diamond because each aspect speaks differently to each individual. In order to properly see the diamond it is best to see the stones out of their settings. Carat is the term used to measure diamond's weight, not a diamond size. One carat is made up of 100 points. Because larger diamonds are rarer they generally have a greater value per carat. Clarity refers to the imperfections and irregularities of the diamonds that interfere with the passage of light throughout the stone. Imperfections such as spots, lines, or bubbles are known as inclusions. A diamond is more valuable when it has fewer inclusions.

All of the Cs obviously cut is arguably the most important. Cut is not to be confused with shape such as round or princess. Each diamond is cut using the exact mathematical formula that unleashes its fire and brilliance. Cut refers the number of facets that the diamond and the depth of the cut. If a diamond is cut too shallow or too deep, it'll loose some of its fire. A well cut diamond will reflect the light and refract it back out to your eye. Well, diamonds come in every color of this spectrum; the most valuable diamond color is colorless, since these are extremely rare. Diamonds are created on a color scale that ranges from D colorless to Z. The further down in the alphabet the diamond is the more yellow it appears. Color can be best determined by looking at the loose diamond on a pure white surface and by noting any contrast.

Using the four C's you'll be sure to pick beautiful diamonds every time.