The word, diamond, comes from the Greek word, adamas, meaning proper, unalterable, and unbreakable. Women are given diamond engagement rings as a symbol that their significant other has endless and continuous love for her that cannot be broken in any way. Shopping for that perfect diamond engagement ring can be very intimidating to some people. They may be unsure of what to look for in a diamond, and thus, be wary of getting taken advantage of when shopping for it. If one does their research before taking a single step into a jewelry store, they will already have a heads up and an advantage over the salesperson. There are the "four C's" to look out for when shopping for a diamond. They are carat, color, cut, and clarity. Many people know what they are, but are unable to understand what they mean. When you understand how the four C's determine the value of the diamond, you will be able to get the most for your money. The carat weight probably the most important factor when choosing a diamond. As diamonds get larger, they become more rare, thus, making them have a higher value. Most diamonds have fingerprints or birthmarks. This is what determines the clarity of the diamond. There are 11 grades to the clarity of a diamond from Flawless, VVS, VS, SI, to I. Usually you cannot see the clarity imperfections until you reach the SI or I and lower stage.

The higher quality of clarity makes the diamond more rare, thus giving it more value. Diamonds actually come in many different colors, but the most sought after are the colorless diamonds. As the diamonds become more colorless, they are also more rare, giving it a higher value. The grades of color range from G to Z. The cut actually refers to the proportion and finish rather than the shape. The cut is what gives the diamond the shine or the glimmer. The cut is adding the facets, or flat surfaces, to the diamond. Most diamonds have 58 facets. The cutter aligns the facets at proper angles to increase how much light is reflected off the diamond. Understanding what to look for in a diamond before starting your shopping will benefit you because you will know if you are getting a good value or not. You will also be able to show the jeweler that you know what you are talking about; they will know that they will be unable to take advantage of you.