It is necessary for you to understand diamonds before you begin shopping. Learning about diamonds is about learning the 4Cs - Cut, Clarity, Color and Carat.

Around the world, the 4C method is the standard practice used when classifying diamonds. As you can imagine, a diamond with the combination of the highest 4C rating is indeed a more beautiful, rare and more expensive item. Do take note that all the 4Cs are equally important and each of the 4Cs will not diminish in value over time.

Cut refers to the angles and proportions of a diamond. A well-cut diamond will reflect light from one facet to another on the inside, and reflect it outwards through the top of the stone resulting in a beautiful display of brilliance. A well-cut diamond stands higher on the Diamond Quality Pyramid than deep or shallow cut diamonds (diamonds that are cut too deep or too shallow loses or leaks light through the sides or the bottom of the stone, which make up for less brilliance and value).

Diamond comes in various cuts such as round, square, marquis, pear or heart shapes.

Clarity refers to the presence of inclusions in a diamond. What are inclusions? Inclusions are natural identifying characteristics that form while diamonds are still in the earth. Inclusions can be minerals or fractures that look like tiny crystals, clouds or feathers in the diamond. A jeweler assesses a diamond's inclusions by using a magnifying loupe. A magnifying loupe can allow a jeweler to view a diamond at 10 times its real size.

The presence of inclusions and (its position) in a diamond can affect its value. Inclusions are ranked on a scale of clarity. The clarity scale ranges from F, for Flawless, to I, for Included. These classes of scales are based on the visibility of inclusions at a magnification of 10 times.

Some inclusions in a diamond may be hidden by its mounting, thus minimizing the inclusions' effects on the beauty of a diamond. Nevertheless, if the inclusion of the diamond is positioned in the middle or the top of a diamond, this could affect the dispersion of light in the diamond and render it less brilliant. The higher the diamond's clarity, the more beautiful, rare and valuable it will be - and the higher it goes on the hierarchy of the Diamond Quality Pyramid.

Colour refers to the degree to which a diamond is colourless. Diamonds range in colours - from icy winters to warm summer whites - and are graded through a colour scale. Colour differences in diamonds are very subtle to see with the naked eye; therefore colours are graded under controlled lighting conditions and are compared to a master set (something like a master key for stones) for accuracy.

Warm coloured diamonds, ranging from K to Z, are most suitable set in yellow gold. Whereas the icy winter white diamonds, ranging from D to J, are beautiful when set in platinum or white gold. The truly colourless diamonds are graded D and are famous for their rarity and rate the highest on the Diamond Quality Pyramid. Ultimately, the colour of the diamond comes down to personal taste.

Carat is a reference word to the weight of a diamond. Carat is often confused with size, when it actual fact it is a measure of weight. A carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams. A carat can also be divided into 100 ³points.² Therefore, a .75 carat diamond is the same as a 75-points or 3/4 carat diamond.

If we follow this guideline, then a 1 carat diamond should cost the same as 2 half-carat diamonds, true? The answer is no. Large diamonds are quite rare to chance upon, and this puts them in the rarest level of the Diamond Quality Pyramid. Following this guideline then, a 1-carat diamond will definitely cost more than 2 half-carat diamonds (assuming color, clarity and cut of the former is in line with the carat too). The cut and mounting of a diamond can effectively make it appear larger or smaller than its weight.

The diamond certificate, also called a grading report is a complete evaluation of your diamond that has been performed by a qualified professional with the help of special gemological instruments. It is necessary for you to understand the importance of the certificate when buying a diamond as certification gives you the power to purchase a diamond with the characteristics you want at a fair market price.