Your Guide to Buying Diamonds

Buying a diamond is not only a statement of love, it's an important investment in the future. Researching and understanding the basics of diamonds will give you the confidence and peace-of-mind you need when you begin shopping for your diamond.

The 4 Cs of diamonds

When shopping for diamonds, one of the first things you hear about are the "4 Cs." What are the 4 Cs, exactly, and how important are they in purchasing a diamond? Finding the right diamond depends on more than just size alone. Appelt's inspects and grades each of its diamonds for:

Carat
Colour
Clarity
Cut

These are the 4Cs you hear so much about. The first, carat, is the carat weight or size of a diamond. Obviously, the higher the number of carats, the bigger the stone. But having a big diamond doesn't necessarily mean it's the most beautiful.

When looking at colour, you're actually looking for absence of color — the more colorless a diamond, the more beautiful (and valuable) it is.

Clarity is the level of purity of a diamond, or the absence of marks or "inclusions" in a stone. Some jewellers will try to steer you into a larger stone with a lower grade for clarity.

Cut, or how the facets of a diamond reflect light off each other, is critical for creating the brilliance or "sparkle" of a diamond. Cut, not carat weight, is the most important factor to consider when looking for the most beautiful diamond. A diamond's cut is the only measure imparted by the hand of an expert.

Which diamond should I buy?

Buying a diamond you love is completely up to your individual taste and desires. If the size of the diamond is most important to you, then look for larger carat weights. If beauty is most important, you may want to choose a smaller stone with higher grade color and clarity. But always try to get the finest cut you can — this brings out the sparking brilliance of any stone.

When it comes to style, Appelt's experts can help you decide on the perfect ring — which will be easy, since you know her best.

Some things you may want to think about include:

Does she like yellow gold, white gold or platinum?
Does she want a solitaire? If you're not sure, give some thought to her style. Does she tend to prefer traditional, trendy or flashy styles?
What kind of shape would she like? Traditional round or fancy cut like princess, emerald, marquise, asher and others? Appelt's will show you the difference between styles and what she'll love the most.
Would she prefer channel set diamonds (set low in a mounting to prevent catching on clothing, etc.) or cluster set (set high in mount for maximum brilliance)?

What is diamond certification?

Each and every one of Appelt's legendary Belgium diamonds larger than a 1/2 carat is certified, meaning it has undergone rigorous testing by an independent gemological laboratory and is supported by written proof as to its attributes and value. Certification assures you are purchasing a quality diamond at a fair market price.

How much should I spend for a diamond?

Your diamond budget depends on the type of gift you are purchasing. For engagement rings the budget depends on your individual desires but you should plan on spending approximately two months' salary on the ring of your choice. Appelt's makes the buying process easier with a variety of payment and financing options.

Appelt's has diamond engagement rings for every taste and budget — read more about our collection.

Shopping for an engagement ring should be as memorable as the ring itself. Visit one of Appelt's five locations and let our experts help.