A diamond has long been idolized as the ultimate symbol of lasting love because of it’s purity and ageless beauty.

If you are confused about why some diamonds are so much more expensive than others, you are not alone. Why oh why can one diamond engagement ring be worth $8000 and another one that doesn’t look that much different to the naked eye be worth only $2000?

The grading system for diamonds is based upon four different elements. Firstly, size will play a large role in the price. This is referred to as the “carat weight,” and it is determined on a 100 point scale. The larger the carat weight, the higher the value.

After carat weight is obtained, the next aspect that can cause price deviation is the clarity. You can determine the clarity of a particular diamond by a number of features. The term inclusions refers to imperfections inside the diamond, while blemishes refer to imperfections on the surface.

The quantity, type, location, measurement, and tint of its inclusions, or internal facets, as well as its blemishes, or features on the surface, all factor into the clarity. The clarity ranges from the rank of ‘pure,’ meaning no flaws, to ‘heavily included,’ meaning that it is seriously damaged.

The appearance or absence of these imperfections is a result of how the diamond was formed underground over thousands of years. Since diamonds are often thought of as the symbol of perfection in our society, the more perfect they actually are under the scrutiny of a microscope, the more expensive they become.

Another important factor when evaluating the worth of a diamond is color. If certain gases were present beneath the earth when the diamond was forming, it may have taken on a distinct color.

The color of a diamond ranges from “D,” which is a complete lack of color, to “Z,” which is depicts a very noticable coloration. Diamonds are priced highly if they are deeply colored or are exceptionally clear. Hazy, off-colored diamonds are not considered a favorable item, so they are priced lower.

Cut is the final factor in diamond grading. This is an often forgotten element of diamonds, but it is extremely important, as it gives this remarkable stone its ability to come alive.

To view a diamond from the point of view of the cut is to investigate whether or not it has any ‘fire’. Like the other criteria for grading, the cut has it’s own grading scale that goes from excellent to irregular. If the diamond doesn’t knock your socks off then it likely has not been cut very well.

Diamonds are rare, but they are not equally special. Understanding the four important C’s of carat, clarity, color and cut that make up the value of a diamond will guide you towards making a better purchase decision.

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