Size is not everything when it comes to buying diamonds for engagement rings. Even the largest diamond can lack fire and brilliance if it doesn't include the four c's of high quality diamonds. Engagement rings that have diamonds with good cut, color, clarity and carat will be beautiful for a lifetime and well worth the price.

Engagement ring settings with solitaire type diamonds are going to require the most flawless diamond possible that has good carat, cut and clarity in order to really shine and sparkle. Carat refers to the actual weight of the diamond. Each carat is equal to 0.2 grams and with a bit of practice it is easy to tell what general carat a diamond is.

Color is also important in determining what engagement rings will fit in your budget and style range. The color or colorlessness of a diamond is graded with a letter. G grade diamonds are colorless to the eye and will capture and enhance light once they are cut. Many diamonds may have a very slight tint of yellow, which will make them less expensive, but not necessarily a bad choice. Yellow gold settings are very well matched with very slight yellow colorations in diamonds.

Clarity of a diamond refers to how unblemished the surface of the stone is in combination with flaws, or lack of blemishes, in the interior. Inclusions, which are blemishes inside the stone, decrease the value of the diamond but may be impossible to detect unless you are an expert.

Engagement rings that feature large solitaire diamonds should have the highest clarity since they are the focus of the ring. Slight imperfections are common in almost all but the most expensive diamonds and in small diamonds they are often so slight as to be virtually invisible. It is also important to choose ring settings that compliment a solitaire diamond rather than compete with the diamond.

Cut is not the same as shape when it comes to diamonds, although many people use the two terms somewhat interchangeably. Cut refers to the angles or facets within the diamond that reflect light, creating the fire seen in diamonds. If the facets are not correctly placed there is no sparkle or depth to the diamond. With a poor cut even the best color, clarity and carat diamonds will not look appealing in engagement ring settings.

Antique engagement rings and new rings are a great way to start trying out your diamond grading understanding. Older rings often feature very traditional shapes that are easier to work with. Once you get the hang of it you can then start looking at different settings or stick with traditional types of engagement rings.

Selecting engagement rings that feature diamonds with the best possible cut, color, clarity and carat takes some time and a lot of learning. Talking with professionals that work with diamonds can help you determine just what to look for in engagement rings and diamonds.