How to buy Diamonds

Every woman dreams about owning diamonds, but what should you look for when you’re buying? We bring you the ultimate guide.

Learn your diamond 4Cs The 4Cs - cut, carat, clarity and colour - make up the characteristics of a diamond, and together these determine the value of the jewel. When you’ve decided on your gem, be sure to ask the jeweller to supply an independent certificate verifying the information he’s given you. Without it, you could be buying a worthless stone.

1. Cut
A diamond can be cut in many ways. Whatever shape you choose, an ideal cut will allow nearly all light to reflect through the top of the diamond. A poor cut will result in a dull, lifeless diamond.

2. Colour
Diamonds are graded by colour using the letters D to Z. D, E and F are colourless, rare and the most expensive gems. G,H,I and J are nearly colourless, but you’ll see a slight tint if you look through a jeweller’s loupe. K through to Z are diamonds with an increasingly obvious colour.

3. Clarity
A diamond’s clarity is the primary factor in determining its price. Clarity refers to the ease with which you can see imperfections – either surface ‘blemishes’ or internal ‘inclusions’. Fewer flaws means more light reflected and a sparklier diamond! The classifications go from FI (flawless, no inclusions) and IF (internally flawless, insignificant blemishes) to VVS1 and VVS2 (very very slightly included – difficult to see) and VS1 and VS2 (very slightly included – easier to see) to SI1 and SI2 (slightly included, with easy-to-see blemishes) and finally I1, I2 and I3 (imperfect, obvious inclusions).

4. Carat
This is the measurement of a diamond’s weight. Hardly a big surprise, but the bigger the diamond, the more expensive it becomes. Diamonds can be as small as .05 carats, but if you fancy wearing a golfball on your finger, no problem. Liz Taylor’s engagement ring to Richard Burton was a whopping 69 carats!