Yellow is the color of happiness and cheerful optimism. So what could be more auspicious for a long, loving marriage? A Tiffany yellow diamond ring radiates sunshine. Prices available upon request. Tiffany & Co., The Mall at Millenia

COLOR
Or, rather, the lack of color is what the highest quality white diamonds possess. Grade D has the least color and grade Z has the most. The lower you go on the scale, the more yellow in the diamond. Good deals can be found in the H, I, J range, since the color is barely perceptible to the human eye. Colored diamonds, known as “fancy” diamonds, possess vivid, uniform hues and have a quality scale of their own.

CLARITY
Almost all diamonds have flaws, such as carbon blemishes or tiny fissures inside the crystal. Highest clarity grades are given to diamonds with the fewest and smallest imperfections. Many imperfections are microscopic, so paying more for a blemish-free diamond may not be high on the list for those looking for a bigger carat size within budget.

CUT
The cut dictates how much light can enter the stone and reflect back out. The better the cut, the greater the bling. The five cut levels are: ideal, very good, good, fair and poor. Most diamond experts recommend getting the best cut you can afford to maximize the beauty of your solitaire.

CARAT
Carat is the measure of a diamond’s weight, not size. Two diamonds may have the same carat weight but look different in size. For size, consider the distance across the top in millimeters and the cut grade.