Buying a diamond wedding ring is one of the biggest purchases one can make. Not only can they cost a small fortune, but the ring has significant meaning to the person receiving it. It's a promise of marriage, love and life-long friendship. Because of its significance, this purchase is not something to be taken lightly and it is definitely not something that should be done without doing any research. One place to start is to research the four C's of diamonds, meaning their cut, color, clarity and carat size.

The cut of a diamond does not necessarily mean the shape of the diamond. It refers to the proportions of the diamond and the angles to which they are cut. The way a diamond is cut can really affect the overall value and look of the diamond. If a diamond is cut too shallow or too deep can be looked at as having a dull look because the light that enters through the top escapes through the bottom and sides of the diamond. However, if a diamond is cut and polished correctly, the light will reflect off the diamond, presenting a shiny and beautiful diamond.

Today colored diamonds are becoming more and more of a trend, with the most popular being the yellow diamond. While diamonds can come in every color, traditional diamonds still tend to be the most popular. Traditional diamonds are rated on a scale from D to Z, D being colorless and Z being light yellow. The less color a diamond has the better quality diamond it is. This is because the color in a diamond does not allow the light to reflect off of the diamond as well as if it were completely colorless.

Another factor that affects the quality of a diamond is its clarity. Because diamonds are natural minerals that come out of the ground, there tends to be some flaws. However, there are totally flawless diamonds as well as diamonds that are flawless to the naked eye. The clarity of a diamond refers to how many flaws the diamond has, as well as the location of these flaws. Clarity affects the quality of the diamond because these flaws can interfere with the light reflecting off of the diamond.

Lastly, there is the size of the diamond, which is referred to as the diamond's carat weight. Diamonds vary greatly in size and can affect the value of each diamond. Often times people view bigger diamonds as higher in value, however, two diamonds can have the same carat weight but have a different value depending on the cut, color and clarity. So just because a diamond is bigger in size does not mean it is of better quality and of higher value.

Another factor to consider in looking for a diamond is its shape. Typically diamonds come in eight different shapes: emerald, heart, marquis, round, pear, oval, princess and radiant. The shape of a diamond is really a personal decision based on the taste and style of the individual who is wearing it, therefore it does not have much of an affect on the overall value of the ring.

It is important that someone looking to purchase a diamond wedding ring really take into consideration all the factors of cut, color, clarity and carat. Most would argue that it is better to have a diamond that is smaller in carat weight, but has a higher quality in cut, color and clarity. However, it really comes down to personal preference and budget.

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About the Author

Andy West is a freelance writer for www.Itshot.com wholesale jewelry, which offers an extensive diamond wedding ring selection.