If you are planning on purchasing a diamond, it is important that you know as much as possible about how diamonds are classified as the cost of a diamond is determined by the 4 C's which are the top most criteria one needs to become familiar with - Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat Weight.This system is the best way to assure the quality and value of a diamond.

There are 4 ways to choose diamond

When choosing a diamond, you need to know about the 4 C's:

1/Carat

A diamond's size is measured in carat weight. The larger a diamond, the more rare it is.

* each carat is equal to 100 points.

* A .75 carat diamond is the same as a 75-point diamond or a 3/4 carat stone.

* Diamonds of equal size may vary widely in value and brilliance, depending on their qualities of clarity, cut, and colour.

Most importantly, two diamonds can be of equal carat-weight, but their value can differ greatly due to their cut, color, and clarity.

2/Clarity

The purer a diamond, the greater it's clarity and the more brilliant it is.

Virtually all natural diamonds contain identifying characteristics, yet many are invisible to the naked eye. Under the scrutiny of a jeweller's 10x-magnifying loupe or microscope, natural phenomena -- called inclusions -- may be seen. These are nature's birthmarks, and they may look like tiny crystals, clouds, or feathers. The number, colour, type, size and position of surface and internal inclusions affect a diamond's value.

Diamonds with very, very small inclusions are graded as VVS1 or VVS2. The larger the inclusion, the lower the grade and the less rare the diamond. Inclusions that can be seen with the naked eye are graded I1, I2 or I3. Major inclusions can interfere with the path of light that travels through a diamond, diminishing its brilliance and sparkle and therefore its value.

3/Colour

The best color for a diamond is no color at all. A totally colorless diamond allows light to pass through it easily, resulting in the light being dispersed as the color of the rainbow.

The purer a diamond's colour, the rarer it is. Diamonds are graded by colour, starting at D and continuing through the alphabet. While many diamonds appear colourless.

" Fancy" diamonds -- in well defined colours that include red, pink, blue, green and canary yellow -- are highly prized and particularly rare.

4/Cut

A well cut or faceted diamond, regardless of its shape, scintillates with fire and light -- offering the greatest brilliance and value.

The cut of a diamond allows it to make the best use of light. When a diamond is cut correctly, light is reflected from one facet to another, then dispersed through the top of the stone

Diamonds can be cut into a number of shapes, depending on the qualities of the rough stone before it is cut.

There are 10 basic diamond shapes to choose from, including round, princess, emerald, Asscher, cushion, radiant, pear, oval, marquise, and heart.

-Round=Classic Girl

-Princess = Trendy Girl

-Emerald= Glamour Girl

-Asscher = Vintage Girl

-Cushion = Romantic Girl

-Marquise = Drama Queen Girl

-Oval = Innovative/Creative Girl

-Pear = Unique Girl

-Radiant = Diva Girl

-Heart = Sentimental Girl

The most popular diamond shapes are round, marquise, pear, emerald, oval and heart.

While nature determines a diamond's clarity, carat weight and colour, the hand of a master craftsman is necessary to release its fire, sparkle and beauty. When a diamond is cut to good proportions, light will reflect from one mirror-like facet to another and disperse through the top of the stone, resulting in a display of brilliance and fire.

In short, choosing a diamond for you is very difficult.Nowadays in the market has a lot of types diamond.If you want to buy a diamond for you, you should know four ways to choose a diamond such as:Carat,Clarity,Colour,Cut.