4Cs of Diamond Buying

As with all precious gems, the weight, and therefore the size of a diamond, is expressed in carats. The carat originated as a natural unit of weight: the seeds of the carob tree. Diamonds were traditionally weighed against these seeds, however, the system was later standardized and one carat was fixed at 200 milligrams (1/5 of a gram).

One carat is divided into 100 “points” so that a diamond of 25 points is described as a quarter of a carat or 0.25 carats. Size is the most obvious factor in determining the value of a diamond, but two diamonds of equal size can vary significantly in value, depending on the other characteristics of cut, color and clarity.

Tips to help you determine the right carat weight
Some considerations you will have to keep in mind: the size of the recipient's finger, any personal preferences, the type of setting and the most important factor, the budget. Try looking at the purchase in the following order.

First, decide on to your budget and then explore the various qualities and designs available in that price range.

Factor in the shape of the finger. If the fingers are long, a small carat diamond may look even smaller and vice versa.

Be sure to match the setting of the diamond ring with the carat size. For example, a wide band can make a stone look smaller than it might with a narrower band. Keep in mind the word “misfit” when matching diamonds with settings and use your own judgment. Here's one more thought regarding setting: choose a setting that gives maximum protection to the diamond.

The lifestyle of the person is also something to keep in mind. Someone who is very active will potentially subject a diamond ring to more knocks and scratches than a more sedentary person, particularly if the setting makes the stone stick out a lot.

Perhaps the only immeasurable consideration is personal preference. That's because many people don't have any regarding diamonds—“any diamond is a good diamond”–and it can be difficult to find them out without letting the person know you are shopping for one. But if someone says that she really likes champagne diamonds because they really look nice with her skin tone, then that should be a good indicator of how to proceed.