The 4 C’s

A bride-to-be does not need a ring to make her engagement official. Many couples will go to the jeweler together, this way the future groom can get an idea of what kind of ring his future bride would like.

If you will be making a trip to the jewelers here are some things to keep in mind about Diamonds and the Four C’s.

DIAMONDS are the emblems of love and engagement, and are the traditional gemstones for engagement ring.
CARAT ~ Carat is the weight of a diamond.
CLARITY ~ Diamonds are rated on the basis of blemishes that occur in nature, such as bubbles, specks and inner cracks that are hard to see with the naked eye. The size and placement of the blemish determines the clarity rating. FL stands for flawless and is the highest clarity rating and the least desirable rating is imperfect.
CUT ~ The way a diamond is cut determines its brilliance. It is the most important of the four C’s. This is what causes the stone to sparkle.

COLOR ~ If a diamond is clear and colorless it is rated a D, the highest color ranking. The lowest is Z, yellow. Some diamonds naturally have some tint of color are in a special category called “fancies.”[1]

Don’t forget to get a certification. This is written proof of a diamonds weight, grade and identifying characteristics from the International Gemological Institute. You will need this to insure your ring.

Happy Planning…. Jul

[1] Post, Peggy. Emily Post’s Wedding Etiquette. New York: Harper Collins, 2001.