Selecting a diamond might be a daunting task for some individuals, who would know next to nothing about it.

However, one needs to be mindful not to be hoodwinked into a scam.

There are gemologists who carry out inspections on diamonds and provide certifications to suppliers.

When buying a diamond, be sure to request for the certification of a reputed authority such as the Gemological Institute of America who are perceived to be consistent and unbiased.

On the other hand there are certain suppliers who recruit the services of a GIA trained gemologist to certify their products. This is not the same as getting the certification done by the GIA in their laboratories.

When physically purchasing diamond it would be a good idea to follow the 4Cs diamond guide and get expert advice on an investment such as this.  Getting the services of an appraiser would be safe before making a commitment to buy.

Generally diamond grading information is based on the Color, Weight, Clarity and Cut of a diamond.

It is believed that lighter the color, the better the product. However, selecting a faint yellowish stone with some fluorescence, will give a boost to its appearance, as fluorescence makes a stone seem whiter.

As for the weight, diamonds are measured in Carats, as in the case of Gold. Here 1 carat will equal to 100 points or 20 grams. To purchase 1 carat diamond could be pricey. However, if you were to buy three stones weighing a total of 1 carat or slightly lesser, would be advisable. At the same time, avoid buying diamonds already set in jewelry as it is difficult to determine the quality of the item when it is set in a commodity.

In diamond grading information, Clarity is where testing is carried out to establish if a stone has inclusions or blemishes in it that can be seen to the naked eye or through a 10x magnification.

Diamonds come in different cuts. To name a few, the round cut, emerald, oval and Marquise. The most popular amongst them are the round cut and one that has been lesser touched.

The GIA carries out its grading based on the 4Cs.