Color: Diamonds are rated from D (whitest) to Z (Brown). The closer you are to D the higher the cost.
Except for Yellow Diamonds, which are even more.
As a general rule you want to buy a Diamond between
D and G in Color.
Clarity: Diamonds are rated as to how pure they are and how many inclusions (flaws) they have.
F= Flawless or IF= Internally Flawless
VVS= Very Very Slightly Included
VS = Very Slightly Included
SI = Slightly Included
I = Included ( you don't want one of these)
You will also see VS1 or VS2 ect this means not as good as VS but not to the level of an SI.
As a general rule (unless you can afford it) stick to SI or VS2.
These are the 2 things you really need to know when looking for Diamonds.
Some places to look:
It's perfectly ok to get a ring from a pawnshop. But they might not have good information on Color and Clarity.
We bought my Ring at a jewelry outlet store. I have 21 diamonds in my ring (It's beautiful even if I do say so my self) and it only cost $241.96, but it looks like we spent a lot more.
I would not recommend K-mart or Wal-mart or any other low-end department store they just sell junk at a high price most of the time.
I would not recommend getting a CZ or other fake diamond. You should be able to get a nice REAL diamond at a good price IF you look in the right place.
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