The Four C’s
You don’t have to pay a premium to get a quality diamond:

Cut
A diamonds graded very good (VG) is your best choices for quality and value but for the budget conscious you can pick up a good rated diamond.

Color
A diamonds graded G, H and I are near-colorless and look colorless to the naked eye. These are the whitest stones commonly available in the engagement ring market. A diamond rated G and H on the color scale is your best choices for quality and value.


Clarity
A diamond graded SI-1 or above looks flawless to the unaided eye. Even a tiny inclusion visible to the naked eye will bump the diamond to an SI-2 or I-1. A diamond rated SI2 and VS1 on the clarity scale is your best choices for quality and value.

Carat
Instead of buying a diamond that is exactly .50 carat and 1.00 carat weights buy odd carat diamonds such as a .45 carat diamond, a .80 carat diamond or a 1.55 carat diamond. This will save you money because the price of a diamond jumps dramatically when it reaches a true .50 carat or 1.00 carat because that’s how most buyers want their diamonds. And because demand is high for those diamonds, jewelers charge a premium for them. The difference between a .80 carat diamond and a 1.00 carat diamond will not be apparent to the human eye in a side by side comparison. So save money by not doing what most people do and shop for an odd carat diamond.

Other Tips to Save Money Buying An Engagement Ring: Engagement Ring On The Cheap,   Engagement Ring For Less,  Engagement Ring Shopping Tips, Drop The Diamond For Another Gemstone