What are the 4Cs?

Cut: The cut of a diamond refers to the proportions to which the diamond is cut and polished. The quality of the cut determines its ability to reflect and refract light. The better the cut, the more fire and brilliance it will have.

Color: While most diamonds appear colorless, there can be subtle hints of yellow or brown. The rarest diamonds have no color at all and are therefore the most valuable. Diamonds are graded and classified by the degree of color they contain.

Clarity: At the time every diamond was formed, miniscule traces of other minerals or gasses may have been trapped inside. These result in identifying characteristics called inclusions that make each and every diamond unique. These are nature's birthmarks or fingerprints, and may present the appearance of tiny feathers, clouds, or crystals. Diamonds are graded and valued by the type, amount, size and location within the diamond of these inclusions. The fewer there are, the higher the grade and obviously the more valuable a diamond is.

Carat Weight: The carat is a standard unit of measure (200 milligrams) that classifies diamonds by weight, and a one-carat diamond is also equal to 100 "points." Therefore a 1/2-carat diamond is referred to as a 50-point diamond, a 3/4-carat diamond as a 75-point stone, and so on. Larger diamonds are very rare. In fact, only one polished diamond in a thousand will measure more than one carat.

Which "C" is Most Important?
As the beauty and value of a diamond is dependent on the combination of each of the four Cs, there is no definitive answer to this question. For many people, size is the most important and they buy the largest diamond they can afford. Others feel strongly about quality, and are willing to sacrifice some size to buy a well-cut diamond with exceptional clarity and color. We recommend not trying to find a perfect diamond, but a diamond that's perfect for you.

Our research has shown that the discerning diamond customer prefers diamonds in the colorless (D-F) and near-colorless (G-I) range with above average clarity (SI-VS). While the diamonds available on buyarock.com represent a broad range of fine qualities and sizes, we have focused our selection in these popular areas to enable you to strike just the right balance between quality, size, and value.

What if I don't know her ring size?
Don't worry, most guys don't know their significant other's ring size. There's a few things you can do: (1) You can ask one of her friends or her mom. (2) We've created a ring sizer just for this situation. Click here for the buyarock.com ring sizer. (3) If all else fails you could just ask her.

How much should I spend for an engagement ring?
As you might suspect, this is a tricky question. You've probably heard about the guideline of two month's salary for an engagement ring. This is a good starting point, but remember it is only a guideline. Your personal finances should be your first consideration.

However, you probably don't need to be reminded of the magnitude of your purchase. Getting engaged is one of the most important decisions you'll make in your lifetime, and your diamond engagement ring is the one symbol of your love and commitment that will endure forever. Buy a ring that you'll both be proud of.

When comparing prices, beware of big discounts and what appear to be unbelievably low price quotes. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

What if I don't like the diamond jewelry I buy from buyarock.com?
If for whatever reason you are not satisfied with your diamond jewelry from buyarock.com, you can return it within 30 days of purchase for a full refund.

How long will it take to receive my jewelry after I buy?
Since every piece of diamond jewelry offered on buyarock.com is assembled by hand to your specifications, it may take 7 to 10 days to arrive. However, many of our products will ship much quicker than that. You will receive an email notification once your product has shipped.

Will I receive a certificate with my diamond?
Every diamond larger than 3/8 carat offered through buyarock.com is accompanied by an individual Diamond Grading Analysis, a report developed by our expert gemologists that describes the exact color, clarity, carat weight, and proportions (cut) of your diamond, based on the standard scale of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA.) An enlarged photo of your diamond is also included, and this report ensures that your diamond is exactly what we represented it to be.

Additionally, your diamond will also come with a Gemprint( Certificate of Registration. The Gemprint( computer system uses a low powered laser to shine through the diamond and record the unique sparkle pattern created by the angles of its cut. Essentially, this process records your diamond's unique "fingerprint." This is useful when insuring your diamond and will always allow it to be positively identified as yours. This system is used by the FBI and law enforcement agencies all over North America. In fact, even the famous Hope Diamonds is registered

Of course, if for some reason your diamond is not what you expected it to be, we offer a full money-back guarantee.with Gemprint(.

Do I Need To Get My Diamond Insured?
Absolutely. Diamond jewelry, like any valuable possession, should be insured against loss and theft. In most cases, an additional rider to your existing homeowner's insurance policy will cover you. You will most likely need to have your diamond jewelry appraised. We are confident that your buyarock.com diamond will appraise for significantly more than you paid. For a list of certified independent appraisers near you, call the American Society of Appraisers, located in Washington, D.C. at 800-272-8258.

Who is De Beers?
De Beers Consolidated Mines, Ltd. is the oldest and largest diamond mining company in the world. De Beers is not a retailer or manufacturer, which means they don't make or sell diamond jewelry to the consumer. However they do promote the idea of diamond jewelry as the ultimate gift of love through their popular advertising.

The vast majority of diamond jewelry originates with uncut stones that were either mined or marketed by De Beers. Since 1888, the majority of the world's diamonds have passed through their hands en route to be cut, polished, and distributed to stores throughout the world via traditional industry routes. Chances are the diamonds offered on buyarock.com have passed through De Beers at one point.

What is the GIA?
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is the world's foremost authority in gemology. Founded in 1931, the GIA is a non-profit organization focused on promoting education and establishing a universal grading system for the entire jewelry industry. It is this grading system that is accepted as the standard evaluation for a diamond's color and clarity. A grading certificate based on this system allows you to verify the quality of the diamond you buy.

Where Do Diamonds Come From?
In its simplest form, a diamond is pure crystalline carbon, and is the hardest natural substance known to man. They were formed billions of years ago deep within the core of the earth where conditions of extreme temperature and pressure transformed the common carbon into the beautiful crystals we know as diamonds. Eventually the volcanic magma in which they were formed was thrust upward towards the earth's surface to cool and harden. It is in these areas where diamonds are still found today.

Most diamonds come from mines in Russia, Australia, and Africa. Recently, diamond mining operations have begun in Canada's Northwest Territories. When a diamond is found in its natural state, it looks like nothing more than a clear crystal rock. It is when it is cut and polished that it takes on the brilliant appearance we associate with diamonds.

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