In order to compare prices and qualities of diamonds, you must understand some of the terms that a jeweler uses to describe diamonds. You also must understand what types of diamonds are the best quality in terms of the four C’s which are carat, cut, color and clarity.

Some of the characteristics of a diamond which you need to understand are the luminescence, overall beauty and size, and how to compare those characteristics with the price of the diamond.

Diamonds are categorized according to their different values in quality and price.

In order to obtain the very best diamond for your money, buyers who are “Very Quality Conscious” must understand that the cut of the diamond must be ideal to near ideal (with a cut grade of 0 to 2); the clarity must be VS1, VS2; carat weight: the best available for the best price; and the color should be: E or F.

For buyers who are “Quality Conscious” the cut of the diamond must be near ideal; the color: F or G; the clarity: VS2, SI1, and the carat weight: the biggest for the price.

You may prefer a big diamond. Well if you opt for that, you may need to forego a degree of quality or beauty. On the other hand, if you select a diamond that is higher in quality than what is depicted, the size of the diamond may be somewhat smaller. You should not select a diamond that is lower than the GIA color standards of grade I and the clarity standards of grade SI2.

In terms of the Very Best Diamond Value you need to go beyond locating the lowest price of a diamond of a certain quality. You may find for the best quality that appeals to you in its size, beauty and luminescence.

You may find the best diamond at the best price in terms of the biggest diamond (carat weight) available with average characteristics when it comes to the clarity, cut and color. Or in the alternative, you could find the best diamond value when it comes to the ideal cut and clarity, but one that is not as big as what you would prefer. In both cases you may find the best diamond for the price.

A buyer often errs in terms of choosing a diamond with a high clarity grade, but with a somewhat lower color grade. For example, a diamond that has a high color grade and a low clarity grade may be the same price as a diamond with a high clarity grade and a low color grade. Both of those diamonds may be purchased for nearly the same price and may be considered the best values available in terms of their quality comparisons. However if you put the diamonds together and compare them, the diamond with the higher color grade will look prettier and more brilliant than the diamond with the lower color grade, but perhaps a higher clarity.

An optimum diamond value is considered when a diamond is visualized with the naked eye, rather than with a magnifying device. The order in which this consideration is given is as follows: cut, color, clarity and carat weight. When you are purchasing something as expensive as a diamond, the quality and craftsmanship of a diamond are exceptionally important.

Remember too that you compare the fair market value with the quality of the stone. You do not want to overextend your budget when shopping for a diamond. This certainly isn’t necessary because there are beautiful diamonds available today to meet every budget. It is also important to find a jeweler you can trust when your shop for a diamond.