Basic 4 C's Color D-E-F: Colorless. This is the colorless diamond group. They are common enough to be found in any store, but still command the highest prices. D and E show virtually no color. F starts to show the very slightest of color and is the transitional color to the next group. G-H-I: Near colorless. This is the near colorless group. If you are looking for value when you shop, ask to see stones from this group. These diamonds begin to exhibit a very light shade of color, but it is hard to detect in mounted stones. J-K-L-M: Faint yellow. This is the group that begins to show slight yellow color which may be noticeable from the top of the stone and even more from the sides. To ensure highest quality in all our products, WeddingBands123.com does not work with diamonds beyond I color and all of our diamonds are graded for color prior to mounting.

Clarity is another important issue to consider when buying a diamond. A diamond's clarity can be affected by two types of flaws: EXTERNAL FLAWS: These are any of the impurities that are on the surface of the diamond. External flaws are the result of wear and tear on the diamond or from damage caused during cutting. INTERNAL FLAWS: These are any of the many impurities that reside solely in the interior of the diamond. There are many kinds of internal flaws. A few important ones that you should familiarize yourself with are: * Black or dark spots: Carbon or other dark spots. * Clouds: Clouds are microscopic inclusions that lower transparency. * Fracture (feather): The majority of imperfections in diamonds are the result of breakage or fractures, in the diamond chemical structure. CLARITY GRADING: The common scale used is based on 10-power magnification (hand held loupe or microscope). This means that for all practical purposes, any imperfection that is too small to be seen with x10 magnification does not "exist" when grading a diamond. Purer the diamond, the greater its quality!!! The GIA defines the qualifications for each group in the scale as follows:

Internally flawless (and flawless) group: FL-IF The highest clarity grade given. “The diamond in question will be without imperfections visible with x10 magnification. Some blemishes may be permitted externally bringing the stone to clarity of flawless; or Internally Flawless. Very slightly included group: VVS1 and VVS2 The VVS group is divided into two, VVS1 and VVS2:  The VVS inclusion in question will be very hard to detect, even for an experienced examiner using x10 power magnification. Very slight included group: VS1 and VS2 The definition of this group is as follows: The VS inclusion in question will be hard to detect, even for an experienced examiner using x10 power magnification�. Slightly included group: SI1, SI2 and SI3 The majority of engagement diamonds bought today is of the SI range: Inclusions and imperfections in this group may be visible easily with the aid of x10 magnification�. SI3, a relatively new grade added by some laboratories to bridge the very wide gap between SI2 and I1 (imperfect). * SI1: Can be seen easily with x10 magnification. Cannot be viewed with the naked eye. * SI2: Can be seen easily with x10 magnification. Rarely can be viewed with the naked eye. * SI3: Can be seen very easily with x10 magnification. In most cases (stones above 3/4 of a carat) can be viewed with the naked eye.