Diamond Hunting

Diamond hunting can be quite traumatic for the uninitiated. It is a big purchase and often one that has high emotional content. Simply knowing the facts before you start can ease the pressure. It also helps for the vendors to know you have some idea of what you are looking at.

There are a few things to know. Lets start with some diamond shapes to consider when you are doing your shopping: oval, pear-shaped, round, emerald, heart-shaped and marquise. Thew most important thing, however, is the quality and to determine quality you need to understand the 4 C's, which are as follows:

Carat weight: The weight or size of a diamond is measured in carats. A single carat is made up of one hundred segments called "points." One hundred and fifty points equals one and one half carats.

Clarity: This expresses how perfect the diamond is by identifying the flaws or inclusions. Where the inclusions are, how big they are, and their type determines the value of the stone. Inclusions are shown as follows:

FL = Flawless, IF = Internally Flawless - minor surface blemishes,

VVS1-VVS2 = Very, Very Small inclusions,

VS1-VS2 = Very Small Inclusions,

SI1-SI2 = Small Inclusions,

I1-I2-I3 = Imperfect - inclusions visible to the eye.

Slight inclusions; do not reduce the beauty of the stone although they do reduce the value.

Color: Colorless diamonds are extremely rare in nature. Color definitely helps determine the value of a stone. An unpractised eye does not easily see different gradations from high white to the start of the yellows. Bright-colored diamonds are a bit different. Some examples are blue, amber, red, etc. Bright colored diamonds in larger sizes can command very high prices indeed. Collectors worldwide are eager to acquire them.

Cut: Precise formulae are to determine the appropriate cut for a diamond. A typical diamonds is cut with 58 facets. The stone's light-reflecting properties and its light dispersion are critical measurements in determining the stones quality and value.

These are just some of the things to look out for. Every diamond also has a identifying serial number which can be seen under a microscope and it never hurts to have a look for yourself. In the end the purchase of a diamond is a very personal thing so remember to pick one you actually like.

Ron Hughes is CEO of Adapt Information Technology, one of the longest standing Internet businesses in the world. He is also a public and seminar speaker and frequent contributor of articles on business subjects. Ron welcomes your comments on ron@wowgroups.com.

Visit http://www.wowdesk.com for information on how to have your own secure, personal office on the Internet. Also, please visit http://www.diamond-magic.com for everything you need to know about Diamond Hunting.

In The News:
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd width=80 align=center valign=topfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifa href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.kcbs.com/Prop-8-Supporters-Claim-Large-Cash-Boost/3108488cid=1256334594ei=f031SKeMI6jk6gOG6sCXDQusg=AFQjCNEODTjoMziuxTAO9g5SVgcHwawKzQimg src=http://news.google.com/news?imgefp=jijyjnslvJ4Jimgurl=imgsrv.kcbs.com/image/kcbs/UserFiles/Image/gaymarriagegraphic.jpg width=80 height=60 alt= border=1brfont size=-2KCBS/font/a/font/tdtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi%3Ff%3D/c/a/2008/10/13/MNKT13G9AD.DTL%26type%3Dpoliticscid=1256334594ei=f031SKeMI6jk6gOG6sCXDQusg=AFQjCNFoU3uOP285ALTzNjRyP3lHZeE1YgNewsom becomes campaign tool for Prop. 8 backers/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fSan Francisco Chronicle,nbsp; USAnbsp;-/font nobr8 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1Political insiders say images of children attending a same-sex bwedding/b play right into the hands of the proponents of a same-sex bmarriage/b ban. b.../b/fontbrfont size=-1a href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php%3Fch%3Dnews%26sc%3D%26sc2%3Dnews%26sc3%3D%26id%3D81842cid=1256334594ei=f031SKeMI6jk6gOG6sCXDQusg=AFQjCNFizp1OY-SIMhxig75FGdU1ou-HRQHas Newsom Sunk Gay bMarriage/b in California?/a font size=-1 color=#6f6f6fnobrEDGE Boston/nobr/font/fontbrfont size=-1a href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.citizenlink.org/content/A000008437.cfmcid=1256334594ei=f031SKeMI6jk6gOG6sCXDQusg=AFQjCNH7PKRMnBCz4VSh_yLxWk7eTRvU5gSan Francisco Mayor Inadvertently Boosts California#39;s bMarriage/b b.../b/a font size=-1 color=#6f6f6fnobrCitizenLink/nobr/font/fontbrfont size=-1a href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.sgvtribune.com/opinions/ci_10694800cid=1256334594ei=f031SKeMI6jk6gOG6sCXDQusg=AFQjCNGhfXe57HBfylC49NTOBVFdq8lF0g#39;Yes#39; on Prop. 8/a font size=-1 color=#6f6f6fnobrSan Gabriel Valley Tribune/nobr/font/fontbrfont size=-1 class=pa href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi%3Ff%3D/c/a/2008/10/13/EDGE13G80Q.DTLcid=1256334594ei=f031SKeMI6jk6gOG6sCXDQusg=AFQjCNG6ep3zu5EQi6SSZnn4dLXYKnDDTgnobrSan Francisco Chronicle/nobr/a/fontbr/font class=p size=-1a class=p href=http://news.google.com/news?sourceid=navclientie=ISO-8859-1rls=GGLG,GGLG:2005-22,GGLG:enncl=1256334594hl=ennobrall 45 news articles/nobr/a/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd width=80 align=center valign=topfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifa href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2008/10/12/2008-10-12_jennifer_lopez_marc_anthony_renew_vows_a.htmlcid=1256984114ei=f031SKeMI6jk6gOG6sCXDQusg=AFQjCNGUo8uU_0dCtJc7T5OdeFirHURaMwimg src=http://news.google.com/news?imgefp=BHwEvBY5tOcJimgurl=assets.nydailynews.com/img/2008/10/13/amd_jennifermarc.jpg width=61 height=80 alt= border=1brfont size=-2New York Daily News/font/a/font/tdtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/indexd%3Fblogid%3D7%26year%3D2008%26month%3D10%26day%3D13cid=1256984114ei=f031SKeMI6jk6gOG6sCXDQusg=AFQjCNEzz1HmfOqaB5JAlwQm_QMOsj93pwJessica Simpson denies ring rumors; Jennifer Lopez and Marc b.../b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fSan Francisco Chronicle,nbsp; USAnbsp;-/font nobr14 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1AP Photo/Matt Sayles Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony have renewed their bwedding/b vows in a secret Las Vegas ceremony, four years after they first walked down b.../b/fontbrfont size=-1a href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.osoblog.tv/2008/10/jennifer_lopez_and_marc_anthon_2.htmlcid=1256984114ei=f031SKeMI6jk6gOG6sCXDQusg=AFQjCNHwmzwjx__ZrJzxLn94uhGPFqPbaQJennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony renew bmarriage/b vows in Vegas/a font size=-1 color=#6f6f6fnobrOsoblog/nobr/font/fontbrfont size=-1a href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.defamer.com.au/2008/10/jennifer_lopez_and_marc_anthony_renew_their_vows.htmlcid=1256984114ei=f031SKeMI6jk6gOG6sCXDQusg=AFQjCNF2Nhbb1kxH9lX_YGROLW75uWqODQJennifer Lopez And Marc Anthony Renew Their Vows/a font size=-1 color=#6f6f6fnobrDefamer Australia/nobr/font/fontbrfont size=-1a href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.hecklerspray.com/jennifer-lopez-marc-anthony-sort-of-get-married-again/200816651.phpcid=1256984114ei=f031SKeMI6jk6gOG6sCXDQusg=AFQjCNF7AQzkrBqMnbwo1t8-cnFIcBN8lwJennifer Lopez amp; Marc Anthony Sort Of Get Married Again/a font size=-1 color=#6f6f6fnobrhecklerspray/nobr/font/fontbrfont size=-1 class=pa href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://celebrity.rightpundits.com/%3Fp%3D4440cid=1256984114ei=f031SKeMI6jk6gOG6sCXDQusg=AFQjCNHlk_H87GWiUh7fYVxkGOQzS07uCQnobrRight Celebrity/nobr/anbsp;- a href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.fashion.ie/aggregator/gossip/114705-j-lo-stuns-all-diva-shares-spotlightcid=1256984114ei=f031SKeMI6jk6gOG6sCXDQusg=AFQjCNHtiaDtF0Fqm9ZxkhKNns6S88U6kgnobrFashion.ie/nobr/a/fontbr/font class=p size=-1a class=p href=http://news.google.com/news?sourceid=navclientie=ISO-8859-1rls=GGLG,GGLG:2005-22,GGLG:enncl=1256984114hl=ennobrall 241 news articles/nobr/a/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp%3FID%3D29124cid=1257844333ei=f031SKeMI6jk6gOG6sCXDQusg=AFQjCNEe6avGIFOTDq2ST0Lap5HaihHfDQSF 1st grade takes trip to #39;gay bwedding/b#39;/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fBP News,nbsp;TNnbsp;-/font nobr4 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1The ProtectMarriage.com website says the quot;bwedding/bquot; demonstrates that quot;unless Prop. 8 passes, children will be taught about same-sex bmarriage/b in public b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.christianpost.com/article/20081014/conservatives-contest-first-graders-school-trip-to-gay-wedding.htmcid=1257808409ei=f031SKeMI6jk6gOG6sCXDQusg=AFQjCNHwiGEsnELRKGOW9RCnw6p0e0syPQConservatives Contest First Graders#39; School Trip to Gay bWedding/b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fChristian Postnbsp;-/font nobr4 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1quot;Taking children out of school for a same-sex bwedding/b is not customary education. This is promoting same- sex bmarriage/b and indoctrinating young kids,quot; said b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Delhi/Man_forced_to_shift_wedding_venue_gets_Rs_25_Lakh_relief/articleshow/3595896.cmscid=1257814663ei=f031SKeMI6jk6gOG6sCXDQusg=AFQjCNEX61tH3SxiWfSxo71gLW7HSZP2qQMan forced to shift bwedding/b venue gets Rs 2.5 Lakh relief/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fTimes of India,nbsp;Indianbsp;-/font nobr4 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1b.../b Bansal#39;s plans for his daughter#39;s bmarriage/b celebrations suffered a setback. The complainant had alleged he had to shift the venue of the bwedding/b at the b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp%3FS%3D9173294cid=1257024336ei=f031SKeMI6jk6gOG6sCXDQusg=AFQjCNGOVFpocb7LU5bY_Ph11x1L1bYfYgJohnston: Upcoming nuptials not a shotgun bwedding/b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fKTUU,nbsp;AKnbsp;-/font nobr23 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1Johnston, 18, said he is looking forward to his bmarriage/b to 17-year-old Bristol and it#39;s not a shotgun bwedding/b, according to The Associated Press. b.../b/fontbrfont size=-1a href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cristina-page/levi-drops-out-of-high-sc_b_134664.htmlcid=1257024336ei=f031SKeMI6jk6gOG6sCXDQusg=AFQjCNFeOhfvaV91zUMf1kpv7VEkCzI_9ALevi Drops Out of High School/a font size=-1 color=#6f6f6fnobrHuffington Post/nobr/font/fontbrfont size=-1a href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hLfYvegyheYrdCbsvJ7C50HKnDLQD93PQ8H80cid=1257024336ei=f031SKeMI6jk6gOG6sCXDQusg=AFQjCNHRKfa4BmBOhWCqAqYxTfjpKs4aIAJohnston speaks about Bristol Palin, Obama, baby/a font size=-1 color=#6f6f6fnobrThe Associated Press/nobr/font/fontbrfont size=-1a href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/oct/14/uselections2008-sarahpalincid=1257024336ei=f031SKeMI6jk6gOG6sCXDQusg=AFQjCNHQOBKn6CckP6idTzA3yxfBKMLzTAIs it a boy? Teenage father drops hint on Palin#39;s first grandchild/a font size=-1 color=#6f6f6fnobrguardian.co.uk/nobr/font/fontbrfont size=-1 class=pa href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.actressarchives.com/news.php%3Fid%3D12678cid=1257024336ei=f031SKeMI6jk6gOG6sCXDQusg=AFQjCNHTRRZgWQXpWt4cDDQz5gkwZdTsAAnobrActress Archives/nobr/anbsp;- a href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.etonline.com/news/2008/10/66529/cid=1257024336ei=f031SKeMI6jk6gOG6sCXDQusg=AFQjCNHMxyc61JvmtAvv5s_i9SyYcNrmJAnobrEntertainment Tonight News/nobr/a/fontbr/font class=p size=-1a class=p href=http://news.google.com/news?sourceid=navclientie=ISO-8859-1rls=GGLG,GGLG:2005-22,GGLG:enncl=1257024336hl=ennobrall 564 news articles/nobr/a/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Indian_denied_visa_Pak_girl_crosses_over_for_wedding/articleshow/3592243.cmscid=1257389701ei=f031SKeMI6jk6gOG6sCXDQusg=AFQjCNHcX8rDIeq05djsN258bgq93bxuRgIndian denied visa, Pak girl crosses over for bwedding/b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fTimes of India,nbsp;Indianbsp;-/font nobrOct 13, 2008/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1During his visit, the two families decided on bmarriage/b between Pawan and Inder#39;s daughter, Anita. October 13, 2008, was fixed as the date for bwedding/b. b.../b/fontbrfont size=-1a href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx%3Fid%3DNEWEN20080068655%26ch%3D10/13/2008%252011:35:00%2520PMcid=1257389701ei=f031SKeMI6jk6gOG6sCXDQusg=AFQjCNFAK8zH3AOu2_cRbbymz_En1FtaAAPak Hindu girl marries Indian lover/a font size=-1 color=#6f6f6fnobrNDTV.com/nobr/font/fontbrfont class=p size=-1a class=p href=http://news.google.com/news?sourceid=navclientie=ISO-8859-1rls=GGLG,GGLG:2005-22,GGLG:enncl=1257389701hl=ennobrall 3 news articles/nobr/a/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.generationq.net/news/usa/First-graders-attend-teachers-Lesbian-Wedding-141086.shtmlcid=0ei=f031SKeMI6jk6gOG6sCXDQusg=AFQjCNH8NDeFPptoNma1BuKR53RF3KFhpQFirst graders attend teachers Lesbian bWedding/b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fGenerationQ,nbsp;Australianbsp;-/font nobr2 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1Last Friday, first graders in San Francisco were taken on a field trip to City Hall to attend the bmarriage/b of their lesbian teacher, causing backlash from b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,436961,00.htmlcid=0ei=f031SKeMI6jk6gOG6sCXDQusg=AFQjCNE1ZIu7ZPjyxvO6N3ExWGRLaNmHzwField Trip to Teacher#39;s Lesbian bWedding/b Sparks Controversy/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fFOXNewsnbsp;-/font nobrOct 13, 2008/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1First-graders in San Francisco took a field trip to City Hall to celebrate the bmarriage/b of their lesbian teacher on Friday, but opponents of same-sex b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://glosslip.com/2008/10/14/ellen-degeneres-encourages-californians-to-allow-marriage-for-all/cid=1257863487ei=f031SKeMI6jk6gOG6sCXDQusg=AFQjCNFQs72Lr4tA7EbY5sX6VqOo7xpMhwEllen Degeneres Encourages Californians To Allow bMarriage/b For All/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fGlosslip,nbsp;OHnbsp;-/font nobr2 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1I have a close relative who had to have their bwedding/b under intense time pressure, making it impossible for all of our loved ones to attend, simply because b.../b/fontbrfont size=-1a href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/oct/14/no-headline---ob9wcprop814-wc/cid=1257863487ei=f031SKeMI6jk6gOG6sCXDQusg=AFQjCNFV6G8tUurMkIOZkN4_FnCP4GWn-gYour letters: Prop 8/a font size=-1 color=#6f6f6fnobrVentura County Star/nobr/font/fontbrfont class=p size=-1a class=p href=http://news.google.com/news?sourceid=navclientie=ISO-8859-1rls=GGLG,GGLG:2005-22,GGLG:enncl=1257863487hl=ennobrall 49 news articles/nobr/a/font/div/font/td/tr/table
marriage wedding - Google News

Lingerie Party Ideas: Tips to Help Break the Ice

Are you in the process of planning that last special... Read More

How to Have a Sizzler of a Honeymoon. Article No.2

Ah! It's the wedding night. You've cut the cake, drank... Read More

Displaying Your Wedding Bouquet

The great day has come and gone, and you are... Read More

Its the Heart (and heat) of the Wedding Season - Sun & Heat Protection During an Outdoor Wedding

So, you decided to opt for an outdoor wedding under... Read More

Keeping A Marriage Romantic

My belief is that most relationship problems should be given... Read More

Negotiation Strategies Especially for Couples

These guidelines will help you avoid the three most common... Read More

Growing and Connecting with Your Spouse

Do you remember when there were no children in your... Read More

Honeymoon Vacation Ideas can be Economical

If you are looking for honeymoon vacation ideas that will... Read More

Anniversary Gift Ideas: Sweet and Sexy Speaks Volumes

There are many great options to consider for letting your... Read More

Who Wants to Be Rich?

Well you may not become a billionaire or even a... Read More

Planning a Special Wedding Shower

The wedding shower is a traditional party of the marriage... Read More

What Makes The Best Wedding Anniversary Gift?

Choosing a wedding anniversary gift that wows your husband or... Read More

Belize Honeymoon Resorts

The enchanting Belize honeymoon resorts captivate every visitor through the... Read More

Wedding Rings - How to Choose a Perfect Ring

Selecting a wedding ring isn't as easy as it looks.... Read More

Is Your Heart Set On An Antique Engagement Ring?

As Mark Twain said "Let us not be too particular;... Read More

Setting a diamond - What to know.

When it comes to placing your new diamond in a... Read More

Love Connections - How Wonderful They Are

I've been noticing a few things lately that a few... Read More

Now You?re Engaged, How Do You Choose A Mens Wedding Ring?

So, you've just got engaged.Whether you are a man or... Read More

The SURGE of the URGE!

Have you ever heard the expression, "The Urge to Merge"?It... Read More

Wedding Invitatation RSVP Cards

When it comes to response/RSVP cards, the goal is to... Read More

The A To Z Guide For Your Wedding Day

AttendantsAttendants, include the best man, Bridesmaid, ushers, and groomsmen. Generally... Read More

Top 5 Wedding Favors and Why

WHAT ARE THE TOP FIVE WEDDING FAVORS AND WHY?At most... Read More

Chocolate Wedding Favors

Providing chocolate as a wedding favor has been a time... Read More

Classic White Color for Bridal Gown

Ever since Queen Victoria wed in 1840, however, white has... Read More

Dance Music for the Wedding Reception

The most enjoyable part of the wedding reception is the... Read More