Buying a diamond can be a really confusing time. How do I find the perfect diamond at the perfect price? Why is one diamond so much more than another that seems to be the same? How do I figure this out?! Well, The Integrity Jewelers is here to help. This guide should help anyone understand how to answer these questions and be better able to make the right decisions when it comes to buying a diamond. If you're going to buy a diamond and make an intelligent and savvy purchase, you must understand the 4Cs of diamond value. Its the only way to make sure that you get what you want in a diamond and not overpay. So, what are these all-important 4Cs? They are cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. Each of these will differ from diamond to diamond. Sometimes they will differ slightly resulting in two diamonds that are priced virtually the same, and sometimes they will differ drastically resulting in hug price variations. What follow here is an explanation of why color is important. (Please see our other guides for why cut, clarity, and carat weight are important.)

COLOR - Color refers to the natural tones of yellow or brown that can occur in diamonds. The GIA's color grading scale ranges from D (colorless) to Z (heavily tinted light yellow). Diamonds graded D, E, and F, which are all considered to be colorless, are truly rare, representing less than 1% of all available diamonds. This rarity makes them more expensive. Diamonds graded G, H, I, and J represent very fine, near colorless diamonds. In diamonds graded a J and above, it would be hard for anyone but a highly skilled professional to detect the diamond's color, especially when the diamond is set into jewelry. A diamond that is graded a K will have a very faint yellow tint that is difficult to detect, but upon close examination is noticable to most. Diamonds graded an L and below will have faint yellow tints that most people will be able to see very easily. The closer a diamond is to being colorless, the more valuable and more expensive it is. Therefore, most of the time, purchasing a diamond that is graded as an "I" can save you a substantial amount of money over a diamond that is graded as a "G," especially considering that the two grades share the same designation on the GIA's color grading scale.

A note about color: (See our guide and store page on the GIA) The accuracy of diamond grading depends on the skill and competency level of the grader, as well as how liberal or conservative he/she tends to be. If someone really wants to sell their diamond, they might "fudge" the grading to sell it faster or get more money. At The Integrity Jewelers, we are incredibly conservative in our grading. If anything, we err in the consumer's favor. This ensures that you are receiving the best value for your money. So, if you have absolutely any questions about diamonds or if you're shopping for a diamond, please feel free to contact us. We pride ourselves on being able to find exactly what you want at a phenomenal price!