How to Choose an Engagement Ring

The 4 C's are cut, color, clarity, and carat. Cut is the most important. A well-cut diamond reflects light beautifully. A poorly cut diamond looks dull. Prioritize cut over carat. Color is the absence of color. D is colorless. Z is light yellow. For a white gold or platinum setting, choose near-colorless (G, H, I). For yellow gold, you can go lower. Clarity is the absence of inclusions. VS (very slightly included) is eye-clean. You do not need flawless. Carat is the weight. A 1-carat diamond is beautiful. A 0.9-carat diamond is often $1,000 cheaper. You cannot see the difference. Work with an independent jeweler. Avoid mall stores. They have the highest markups. The most important rule is to set a budget. Do not go into debt.