Diamonds are Forever If you are not sure what you should be looking for in a diamond, then read on. These are the ten questions you should be asking before you buy...
1. Why buy diamonds?
A staggering 75% of British men buy diamond engagement rings. Some 76% of these opt for a solitaire, a timeless and stylish classic. Diamonds are often heralded as being a girl’s best friend and while this isn’t strictly true, a diamond engagement ring is likely to be a gift she will cherish forever! 
2. How much should he spend?
It is often said that a groom should spend one to two month’s earnings on an engagement ring. In reality, it should be whatever can be afforded. Purchasing an engagement ring is no justification for getting into debt, lets face it, the cost of putting on a wedding is enough without overspending now.
3. Where do diamonds come from?
Diamonds are made up of 99.95% pure crystallised carbon. The diamond you purchase will vary in age from 1-3 billion years old. Diamonds are the hardest naturally occurring substance known to man and as they are relatively rare, are only found in a few sites around the world.
4. Where does the tradition of getting engaged originate?
The tradition of giving a diamond engagement ring as a promise of marriage began in 1477 when Archduke Maximillian of Austria gave Mary of Burgundy a diamond ring as a token of his love.
5. What should I look for in a diamond?
Before selecting a diamond, you need to consider the four C’s…cut, colour, clarity and carat.
1. Cut: A well-cut diamond reflects and disperses light in beautiful ways, thanks to qualities such as symmetry. Diamonds are graded according to the cut quality, and this grade should carry a great deal of weight in your decision. 2. Colour: Diamonds come in all the colours of the rainbow. With the exception of blue, pink and red diamonds, colourless diamonds are the most valuable.
3. Clarity: You want a clear diamond to allow the light to pass through. The most expensive are free from flaws, colour, chips or blemishes.
4. Carat-weight: The size of a diamond is determined by its weight in carats. A carat is equal to 0.2 grams and is divided into 100 points. So a diamond of 75 points is .75 carat of ¾ a carat.
6. Where should I buy?
There are two main routes to buying diamonds, that is either new through a jeweller or second hand from an antique dealer or auction. If you want to have a little bit of a security net then buying through a reputable diamond dealer is probably the best option. Opt for a well-established operator with a good reputation.
Purchasing diamonds over the internet is never advisable as it is difficult to ascertain authenticity. What can seem like a good deal could easily turn out to be an expensive mistake if you fail to do your homework.
7. What style should I choose?
Diamonds come in many different shapes and sizes. The most popular are:
 Round: a circular shape, this is the most basic and traditional
Oval: an elongated circle
Pear: resembles a tear drop, it is pointed at one end
and rounded at the other
Marquise: pointed at both ends
Princess: box, or square
Emerald cut: rectangular shape
Trillion: triangle shape
8. What are the current trends?
Single set stones known as solitaires are by far the most popular among brides. While simple, this style is chic and timeless and won’t go out of fashion. Three stone rings are also becoming increasingly popular. A large stone with smaller stones set around it, known as a bridal set, is also an increasingly popular choice among brides. 
In terms of metals, yellow gold rings will also be in style but most brides today choose platinum. While platinum is expensive it compliments diamonds and
the fashion for a solitaire set in platinum has become a modern classic.
9. Is bigger better?
In a word no – clarity, cut, colour and carat are the most important things (see above). One way you can save money is by ‘buying shy’. A diamond's value increases significantly when it reaches a true carat weight, like a half or a full carat. Steer clear of rounded up numbers like 1/2 carat (0.25), 1/4 carat (0.50), 1 carat (1.00) and so on, as these attract premium prices. There is a negligible size difference between a true carat weight diamond and a stone that's just shy of the true carat weight, but this small difference in weight can make a big difference in the price. If you put the two stones side-by-side, you probably wouldn't even notice that one is smaller than the other. If you opt for a gem just under a carat (or under 2 or 3 carats for that matter), the saving can be up to 30%
10. How do I know my diamond is genuine?
When you buy a diamond it is important to make sure it is the real article. Your diamond should be delivered to you along with a lab report certifying its authenticity. It will state the quality, weight and cut of the stone. The most important step in choosing a diamond is reviewing the diamond certificate, referred to by diamond grading labs as a grading report. A grading report documents the characteristics of a diamond, like the four Cs. Before purchasing a diamond, review a copy of its grading report, as this is proof that it has undergone an unbiased, professional examination.
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