Buying the perfect diamond ring doesn't have to feel like going to the dentist. Learn the basics, and go from there. Most people know diamond is the hardest material known. It's a crystallized form of carbon, and transparent and its ability to withstand anything else is why it came to represent marriage.

You can buy diamonds as an investment, but we're focused on buying a diamond as part of an engagement ring. Smaller diamonds are more common than bigger ones, and more inexpensive but prices can vary widely.

The value of a diamond is mainly determined by its color. The GIA scale ranks the highest quality color grades as D, E, F, which mean pure white. N, O, P mean more yellowish, and the value drops correspondingly, everything else being equal.

The presence of flaws or spots in the diamond is its clarity. These may be from other minerals that are trapped in the diamond from its growth. A microscope can be used to determine the total volume of these imperfections, classified as very, very slightly imperfect (VVS), very slightly imperfect (VS), slightly imperfect (SI), and imperfect (I).

The diamond's finish and polish is its cut. The cut is essentially what gives the diamond its look. Each surface the diamond contains usually means a more extravagant diamond, because light is dispersed in more directions then.

The weight of the diamond is measured in carats. Sometimes this is mixed up with its size.

A genuine diamond should last forever. We have a review of a diamond retailer available.