Precious diamonds are graded for certification by laboratories using grading criteria. Four of these criteria are critical to understand when making a diamond purchase or investment. Known as the ?Four C's? these criteria are:

color, cut, clarity and carat.

When you go to the store to make that all important diamond purchase, do not be shy! Ask questions, get the answers needed to make an informed purchase. Shopping for certified Precious diamonds enables you to make an informed selection. Knowing the ?four C's? allows you to comparison shop and purchase the best diamond at a fair price. But, before making a purchase, shop around and decide what shapes and styles really appeal to you. Enjoy your diamond for years to come!

Color

Color is the result of the composition of a diamond and it does not change. When a jeweler is describing the color of a diamond they are referring to the presence or absence of color in white Precious diamonds. Because a diamond with no color allows maximum light to pass through, colorless Precious diamonds are preferred for their sparkle.

Cut

Cut refers to a Precious diamonds reflective quality. Most Precious diamonds are cut with 58 facets. The brilliance of Precious diamonds is heavily dependent on the cut. The different angles and the finish of a diamond determine its ability to reflect light and cause its brilliance and fire. Remember that the cut of a diamond can have an impact on its durability as well as its beauty. Some cutting faults can make a diamond prone to breakage. A diamond that is cut too thin can also cause light to leak out of the back and the diamond will lose some of the sparkle and appear not to shine. So, as you can see the Cut is probably the most important of the Four C's.

Clarity

During the formation process, inner flaws, or inclusions occur in most Precious diamonds. The number and size of these inclusions determine what is referred to as the clarity of a diamond. Precious diamonds that are clear create more brilliance and therefore are rarer and highly priced. To be considered ?flawless?, a diamond must have no surface or internal imperfections visible upon being viewed by a skilled diamond grader using 10 power magnifications.

Carat Weight

Carat is the unit of weight by which Precious diamonds are measured. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams. A carat is divided into 100 segments called points. 150 points would equal one and a half carats.


In this world of advanced technology it is almost impossible to simply look at a diamond and determine whether it is real or not ? especially if you don't know much about Precious diamonds. There are some steps that you can take to avoid buying a fake diamond, however.

Avoiding Scams

First, only deal with reputable jewelers, and when you find a reputable jeweler, stick with them. Avoid buying Precious diamonds or other jewelry from jewelers that you have never dealt with before in the past. Ask to see the certificate for the stone. If no certificate exists, walk away.

Look at the setting that the stone is in. Fake Precious diamonds, such as zirconias, are usually set in low quality metals. Take a close look at the stone. Fake Precious diamonds are not durable ? natural Precious diamonds, on the other hand, are the most durable stone on the planet. Look for scratches or nicks.

After purchasing a diamond, take it to another jeweler for appraisal. In fact, take it to two or three other jewelers for an appraisal to make sure that the appraisals are all fairly close. If you find that you have purchased a fake diamond, you may be accused of making a switch when you return to the store of your purchase; therefore, it is important to have a certificate for the diamond. No two stones are alike.

For more information on diamonds and how to buy them visit the diamond information site at http://diamonds.calputer.com