Why diamonds and how to choose a good one; article by etiquette expert Rebecca Black of Etiquette Now!

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Why Diamonds and How to Find a Good One

Why are diamonds typically our first choice for wedding and engagement rings? It seems that diamonds have symbolized enduring love for centuries due to their hardness and glittering beauty. The first known use for an engagement ring was in medieval Italy. Whereas, the first official diamond engagement ring is thought to be from 1477, when Maximilian I, King of Germany, proposed to Mary of Burgundy to seal his vow.

And because diamonds are thought of so highly, we tend to give them to those with whom we are in a relationship: earrings, pendants, and rings for birthdays, Valentine's Day, anniversaries, etc. Of course, there are those very special engagement and wedding rings as well. But, where do we start?

First we need to decide on a spending limit. Once the numbers make sense to our budget, it is time to shop. For the engagement ring, there are no limits to the type of stone, although solitaires are still the most favorite. These can be placed in a variety of settings in gold or platinum, which could be matte or polished. Nevertheless, we want to give our loved ones thoughtful quality gifts. So how can we tell a good one from an inferior diamond?

My favorite method for most of my shopping is on line. And, we are in luck here, as there are many wonderful sites to help us learn more about diamonds and also provide us with an online option for ordering diamonds. This is just a taste of what I've learned:

Look for the 4 C’s in diamonds.

Diamond Cut: shape, cutting style, proportions, and finish.
Diamond Clarity: lack of flaws. Flawless is rated “F1.”
Diamond Color: rated on a letter scale from D (colorless) to Z (yellow). Clear white is most expensive.
Diamond Carat: is the weight of the diamond measured in carats. One carat is divided into 100 "points," so that a diamond of 75 points weighs 0.75 carats.

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