They say that Christmas is the most popular date for proposals. This means that the men out there are in search for the perfect engagement ring to give to the love of their life. 

We would like to help them out! So here's our guide on how to buy a diamond. So here is our guide on the language of diamonds to help you narrow your shopping choices! 

It starts with the 4 c's: 

The 4 C's:

1. Cut
2. Color
3. Clarity
4. Carat

The Cut is probably the most important of the four as it determines the brilliance of a diamond.  When making a purchase as serious as this one, opt for rings that come with a GIA (Gemological Institute of America) or AGS ((American Gem Society) certificate. These certificates give full details about the diamond to help make an educated decision. 

Cuts are further broken down into 5 types:

IDEAL, EXCELLENT, VERY GOOD, GOOD, FAIR & POOR

You would ideally want the Ideal cut but that is only available in rounds so the next best choice is Excellent. Many Excellent Cut diamonds have cuts that are the equal of any Ideal Cut diamond. 

The Color ranges from Colorless to Light. The diamonds on the lighter side have a tint of Yellow. If you are purchasing a ring in white gold or platinum, it's best to choose diamonds closer to Colorless grade (begins at D and ranges to F).  

Then there is The Clarity.  Clarity refers to flaws (or lack thereof) in a diamond. Does it have blemishes (found on the surface of the diamond) or inclusions (found within the diamond)?  The Clarity, in our opinion, is viewed under a 10x magnification. It's more related to the value of the diamond rather than the appearance as visible to the naked eye. It's a personal choice, but it's not of a huge importance to us. 

The Carat: not to be confused with karat (the weight measurement of pure gold), Carat is the weight measurement of a diamond. The higher the carat, the more expensive it is.  

The Shape

Once you've nailed down on the 4 c's, choose the ideal shape. Here's a diagram to help you with that: 

The Setting

Does she like a decorative setting or the simpler bezel? These are the next things you need to narrow down. Here's another diagram to help with this. 

The Metal

Your final choice will be that of the metal and your options are: 

• Platinum 
• Yellow Gold
• White Gold
• Rose Gold
• Black Gold
• Silver

We recommend choosing between Yellow, White or Rose. Traditionally, engagements rings came in yellow gold. So if you're lady is a traditionalist or just loves the classic stuff, go for the yellow. Rose is a new trend suitable for the trendy lady and the all the time popular is the White Gold. 

Don't forget to check back next week to see some more ring inspiration or follow our Pinterest Boards for the various shape rings picks we have narrowed down for you!