GETTING WHAT YOU PAY FOR

*Look at the top of the diamond, how the table disperses and -acts the light, to see how much fire and dispersion the diamond

*Look at the diamond at a 45-degree angle to the crown, the -one-third of the diamond above the girdle or setting, to tell the color. The top or table is only an indication of brilliance.

Try to buy or look at the diamond unset. A setting can hide ns. fn addition, a diamond with a yellow tint will took better in a yellow gold setting, while a white diamond will look better in a white gold or platinum setting. Remember, too, a setting can hide inclusions, making it look better in the setting than it may look unset.

*With a diamond of 1 carat or larger, insist on a GIA certificate. w. reliable jeweler should get you one for a small fee. than though you are not investing in diamonds, the GIA certificate it your insurance that the diamond is what it is supposed to be, what jeweler tells you, and what is written on your sales slip. Although the gem will not be appraised for price, it will be appraised for all the other qualities. Most, if not all, reliable jewelers will be willing that you the certificate for a small fee-that is well worth it, considering what you are spending. In any case, your sales slip should specify what the diamond is, as far as the four Cs go-and you 'd make sure it does or that you are given a certificate that spells , out. Both will also come in handy for insurance . , respect, make sure you get a complete sales slip, identifying : diamond exactly.

Based on these criteria, what you may have to decide is whether or quality is more important, depending on what you can afford. v- important? You may have to settle for an included stone with a slight yellow tint, if you want a stone of 1 carat or larger. Is color important? You may have to settle for a white (D-H color) stone, with the number of flaws depending on the size and cut. Is clarity impor1'ou may have to settle for a very, very slightly included stone of lesser color, again depending on size and cut. The prices of these examples may be the same or so similar that there is little difference. So, show do you decide?

No jeweler or expert can answer the question of which is the - stone because each has its own drawbacks. One stone is betterfrom the point of view of size, another from color, and another from clarity. Still, color is what the average person sees. Clarity is actually less important for jewelry, as long as the inclusions don't interfere with the gem's fire or brilliance. On the other hand, you may go along with the people who prefer a colored or "fancy" diamond and truly yellow diamonds, what are called "canary," are as valuable as any fine white diamond of equal clarity. They may even be more expensive, because they ate rarer.