Choosing a ring isn’t really as simple as pointing to the one in the window that looks prettiest. Jewelry, especially a diamond is a major investment just like buying a house or a car. There are a few things that you need to know so that you get a stone that is not only beautiful to look at; it is also a true gem of value beyond sentiment. Just like you may need the assistance of a good mechanic to help you check out a car before you buy it, you may need the help of a good gemologist or an honest jeweler to help you find your special gemstone from among the many pieces out there.

Like any industry they have their own jargon. You don’t need to learn all their terms but you do need to become familiar with the four C’s of a diamond’s quality. Cut is the first and most important C in choosing diamonds. There are two aspects that determine a diamonds cut. The first of which is the shape of the stone. This aspect is quite literally the geometrical shape that the artisan has chosen for the stone in order to bring out the most of its inner beauty. The stone can be shaped into your basic round or into fancy ones such as the oval, marquise, pear, emerald, princess, asscher, radiant, heart or triangle. The artisan creates facets as they shape the diamond. The facets are flat faces that reflect light off of each other, creating the sparkle that women love, which jewelers call brilliance. If you’re lady is one who looks for brilliance, check out the round, princess or radiant pieces.