Know the 4 Cs of Diamond Ring Shopping
Written by Zack Pine

Guys, if you’re thinking of popping the question in the near future or at any point in your life, make sure you pay close attention to what I’m about to say. When looking at an engagement ring for your future wife, make sure you take the 4 Cs of diamonds into consideration. The 4 Cs are as follows: cut, color, clarity, and carat. If that makes no sense to you, then you’re in luck because I’m about to lay it out for you in terms that we can all easily understand.

• Cut: This refers to how the diamond is shaped in the setting. Basically, the better the cut, the shinier the diamond. It also refers to what shape the diamond is. There are 8 types of cuts: emerald (looks like a diamond pyramid), heart (I think you know what that looks like), marquie (football shape), oval (long sides and short round ends), pear (exactly what it sounds like), princess (square on the top, pyramid on the bottom), radiant (looks like an emerald, but can come in a square and not just rectangle), and finally round (I won’t waste your time explaining this).

• Color: This refers to how easily light can travel through the diamond. Basically, the clearer the diamond is, the more valuable it is. If it’s more yellow, then it will be less valuable.

• Clarity: This is easy to get mixed up with color, but don’t be fooled; it’s different. Clarity refers to imperfections in the diamond. If it’s flawless, then it will have an (FL) marking on the tag, along with an expensive sticker price. Everything else will have some sort of inclusion on the diamond. That doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with it. That just makes that specific diamond unique.

• Carat: This refers to the size of the diamond. Basically, the bigger the carat weight, the more expensive it will be. If your girl wants a “rock” (1 carat or bigger), I suggest you get ready to cry a little as you go shopping because they are not cheap whatsoever.