Congratulations, you are in the market for a diamond engagement ring. The average consumer may need to rely much upon his jewelry store clerk unless research is done before hand. The consumer must do a lot more to become a more intelligent customer of the diamond merchant. The knowledge of the fact that nature furnishes few absolutely white and even fewer absolutely perfect diamonds, will go a long way towards building frank and cordial relations with the jewelry dealer of choice. It is always necessary for the dealer to explain why a smaller finer diamond costs more than a larger not as fine gem. The consumer must be aware that some small imperceptible defects may exist on the less fine stone, but they do not hurt the appearance of the it. These small imperceptible defects will however lower the price of the stone. It may make sense for a consumer to buy a bigger less fine stone for the price of a smaller fine stone for the same price.

The buyer must always beware that these small imperfections will hurt the resale value. High grade stones will always retain a lot more monetary value than a stone of a poorer grade. It is also harder to resell a stone of poorer grade. If the buyer entertains the converting of the stone into cash, it is much wiser to buy only the better grades as regards to perfection.

In color, the public is also advised not to go with the very highest of grades, but a stones of rather less rare tints. Never buy a low grade off color stone that is perceptible to average eye. It is suggested that colored diamonds be purchased in the grades of Crystals and Silver Capes. The average retailer will probably call them blue white and fine white. Always insist on seeing the stone in broad day light, as to check for imperfections. In regards to the cheaper colored stones they possess more bang for the buck. The resale value on a colored stone with imperfections is not very high. On the other hand, the resale value of a fine grade colored gem is fairly high.

The next step in choosing a stone is the cut or make. The cut more than any factor, determines the brilliancy of the stone. The brilliancy includes both the perfect reflection of white light and the prismatic display of colored lights. The consumer can test the brilliancy of a stone without the use of measurements. If the stone is cut well it will have the same brilliancy from any distance up to twenty feet from the eye. At no distance should the stone appear weak or less brilliant in the center. Over thick stones will appear vacant, or dark, in the center. The stone that is cut too thin will have a ring of brilliancy around the outside around a black center, producing the fish eye effect. Over thick and over thin stones should be avoided.

The buyer must also scrutinize the finish of a stone. All of the stones facets should be symmetrically related to each other. The facets should be above the girdle should match those below in position. The upper facets and the lower facets should directly line up and the edges should meet. The finish of the stone should also be well checked. Most rough or chipped areas will be around the girdle.

Only a stone that appears perfectly round should be accepted. Stones of other contours are much less salable. The buyer must be aware that the price per carat advances rather rapidly with increase in size up to somewhat over a carat. Smaller diamonds are much more abundant in the mines than the larger ones. The law of supply and demand dictates the prices of diamonds on the market.