Diamond rings and bands made of precious metals are traditional choices for wedding jewelry. When selecting a diamond, remember that price is based on the four Cs: color, cut, carat and clarity, as well as the shape of the stone.

Color - Standard diamonds are called white diamonds. The less color they have, the more valuable they are. The best color is D, which is almost clear white; the color scale descends through the alphabet toward Z, moving further away from colorless toward yellow or brown tints.

Cut - The symmetry and proportion of the stone is its cut (the ability of the stone to reflect light), which gives the diamond its sparkle. An expert cut maximizes a diamond's brilliance.

Carat - A carat is a measure of the size and weight of the stone. Ratings for a diamond's clarity are as follows:

• FL IF - Flawless-Internally Flawless
• VVS1 VVS2 - Very, Very Slight Inclusions
• VS1 VS2 - Very Slight Inclusions
• SI1 SI2 - Slight Inclusions
• I1 I2 I3 - Inclusions (can be visible to the naked eye)

Clarity - Clarity is the gauge of the stone's purity. When viewed under magnification, most diamonds have small imperfections inside or on the surface. There are several grades of clarity, ranging from flawless to imperfect, with the latter having blemishes visible to the naked eye. The fewer the imperfections, the more valuable the stone.

Shape - The shape of a diamond is its basic form. Shape is a matter of personal taste and preference; shape can reflect your individuality. New and interesting shapes are being developed every year, but here are the most common.

• Emerald
• Heart
• Marquise
• Oval
• Pear
• Princess
• Round
• Triangle

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