The Marquise cut diamond is one of the more elegant and traditional diamond shapes. The Marquise is a slim oval shape with tapered pointed tips. The Marquise is a heavier stone than many others – while a rough diamond will produce a round brilliant diamond of a certain size, when cutting it into a marquise shape, it will generally produce a diamond up to 50% larger in carat size.

Clarity – Another important category for a diamond ring is the clarity. This attribute describes the inner flaws of a diamond rings during the formation of the diamond. If you’re shopping for a high grade diamond ring you want a diamond as close to flawless as possible. The ratings go as follows – F: Flawless, IF: Internally flawless, VVS1-VVS2: Very slightly detectable, VS1-VS2: Hardly noticeable, SI1-SI2: More easily noticed under microscope, I1-I2-I3: Noticeable under the human eye. Naturally we want to keep it as close to F as possible so keep that in mind when you’re during your jewelry research.

To avoid this, always insist on seeing the GIA or AGS certification for your diamond. They are the only way to insure that your diamond is exactly what they say it is.

For this, simply consider the 4 Cs of a diamond. The characteristics of carat, color, clarity and cut are the main factors that influence the price and the looks of any diamond that you come across. The carat is related directly to the size and weight of the diamond. The higher the carat value, the more expensive is the diamond going to be.

With this checklist you will be able to weed out undesirable merchants, select who you want to buy from and get an understanding of how to compare prices apples to apples. If you have not done so already, you should have some basic diamond education before you start shopping. If needed, visit our online diamond education center for diamond basics.

First of all, you have the ability to look up the reputation of a particular seller. You don’t have to be left in the dark. Once you find out that a particular seller has a great reputation, you can be relieved that you’re dealing with someone who tells it how it is. They’re not just telling you what you want to hear. However, make sure you still ask for such information as their credentials, whether or not they belong to a jewelry association, what their policies are, etc., so that you know you are safe. To really make sure you’re safe; always check the Better Business Bureau for negative reports.

The last tip when it comes to buying diamond engagement rings would be to know as much as you can about your partner’s preferences. For one to pick out the perfect marital band, they need to have a good idea of their partner’s personal style. This would ensure that the band they choose will suit them perfectly. With the array of diamond engagement rings in the market, one can never be lost for choice.