The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has advised six easy steps for a consumer to select the best diamond of choice for any gifting occasion or self-purchase. The six tips are: {{ Choose a qualified jeweler}}: the GIA suggests that a jeweller should be sight carefully as one would do a doctor, lawyer or any other trained professional. The jeweller must be someone trained as a gemologist, such as a GIA Graduate Gemologist, and should carry affiliations with jewelry industry groups and professional associations. %% {{ Do the research}} : GIA recommends consumers to be aware of the Four Cs of diamond quality - Carat weight, Clarity, Color, and Cut – to be able to ‘speak the language of diamonds’. The Four Cs allow consumers to communicate better with jewellers and will assist in making the right diamond purchase decision. %%{{Learn how to determine diamond quality through the Four Cs}}: GIA noted that every diamond can be described by its attributes, the Four Cs, which when taken together, help to determine the diamond’s overall quality and value. Quality equates to rarity, and rarity to higher value. {{ 1.Carat:}} GIA mentioned that diamonds are weighed in metric carats, and just as a dollar is divided into 100 pennies, a carat is divided into 100 “points.” GIA explained that a diamond of 50 points is equivalent to 0.50 carats. {{ 2.Clarity:}} Almost all diamonds contain unique clarity characteristics; while flawless diamonds are the most rare and highly valued, most of the clarity characteristics are visible only when magnified at least 10 times. {{ 3.Color:}} The diamond colour also determined its rarity. While colourless diamonds are also very rare and highly valued, generally diamonds have a slight yellow or brown tint. The GIA notation of diamond colours is identifiable through letters; starting with D (colorless) and grading upto Z (light yellow or brown). GIA has a another colour grading system for fancy coloured diamonds which are more uncommon than the colourless diamonds and are found in every colour from pink and blue to purple and red. {{4.Cut:}} It is the proportion given to diamonds and refers to the number, placement and shape of the facets that create the finished diamond. A well-cut, balanced diamond applies light bouncing off its facets and as such creates, reflects and magnifies colour and sparkle. %%{{Ask for an independent diamond grading report}}: The report contains all details of the gemological quality of the diamond, whether the stone is natural or synthetic, treated and how, and its quality rankings of the Four Cs. %% {{Keep the purchase secure:}} GIA advises consumers to appraise and insure the diamond. GIA also explained that a diamond grading report acts as a gemological blueprint of a diamond, an independent assessment of its quality, and an appraisal mentions the monetary value on the diamond. For safety sake, The GIA noted that a consumer can have a personal message or the report number laser-inscribed on the outer-edge of the diamond, to identify it incase it gets lost. %% {{ Buy the stone loose and get the ring set later:}} There are options of buying a loose diamond and then selecting a mounting of choice to set the diamond into. The loose stone must be graded. %% {{Get a receipt:}} Lastly the GIA advises that consumers must request for a receipt for buying the diamond and seek a 30-day guarantee which allows the purchaser to return the stone or ring for cash.