Diamond ring questions, answered

GIA prefers a jeweler measuring with finger gauges, metal bands in half-size steps. Temperature and time of day can change finger size, so measure more than once. Read more: Ring Sizing

GIA says a typical ring can go up or down a size or two. Rings with pavé or bead-set diamonds on the band take more work, and rings with diamonds all the way around can be very difficult to resize. Read more: Eternity Rings

Yes. GIA says a wide band fits more snugly, so you may need a slightly larger size. Read more: Ring Sizing

Cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. GIA created this grading system. GIA says the value and quality of a diamond reflect all 4Cs, not carat weight alone. Read more: The 4Cs

No, it is weight. GIA says: "A metric carat is defined as 200 milligrams." A badly cut stone can carry weight that does not show from above. Read more: The 4Cs

No. GIA says shape is the outline seen from above. Cut describes the facets and how well they handle light, and only the round brilliant gets an official GIA cut grade. Read more: Diamond Shapes

A lab's description of one diamond: its measurements, carat weight, color, clarity, and, for a standard round, its cut grade, plus a plot of inclusions and any comments on treatment. Read more: Grading Reports

Yes. The FTC Jewelry Guides define a diamond as a mineral of pure carbon, and the FTC says lab-created stones match natural ones in their chemical, physical, and visual properties. The Guides say a lab-grown diamond should be named with a word such as "laboratory-grown" right before "diamond", and that words such as "real" or "natural" should not describe it. Read more: Lab-Grown vs Natural

The FTC says lab-created gemstones are "often less expensive than natural gemstones." Its examples are moissanite and spinel, and it gives no figure for diamonds. Compare written quotes for the stones you are considering. Read more: Lab-Grown vs Natural

GIA says: "Platinum is generally more expensive than gold." It also says gold with a higher gold content is heavier, softer, and more costly. Read more: Metals

GIA suggests a lint-free cloth, or a bath of warm water and mild soap with a soft toothbrush. Keep bleach, household cleansers, and toothpaste away from the ring. Read more: Ring Cleaning

GIA suggests having the prongs checked every six months for damage. Read more: Ring Cleaning

The 4Cs of the center stone, its shape, any treatment, whether it is natural or lab-grown, the side stones, the metal, and the setting. GIA says price per carat rises with size. Read more: Price by Carat

Prices change and vary by stone, ring, and seller. We explain what moves a price so you can compare quotes yourself. Read more: Budget Tiers