What Makes a Good Diamond

I recently read an interesting interview of Henry Tivol, a Midwest Jeweler who has been around for 80 odd years.  He is pretty much of a snob when it comes to jewelry.  His idea of jewelry is either Gold or Platinum.  He is slowly warning up to Sterling Silver mainly because of the economy and popularity of the metal.  On the subject of diamonds, he notes the importance of the 4 C's.  You know what they are: cut, color, clarity and carat. All are important and integrated into one another for a fine diamond.  One important comment is that the smaller diamonds-perhaps less than 1/2 carat, are probably the best.  Get any bigger and for a quality diamond, you'll need to pay at least $250,000.  Pay less and you'll get a big rock to impress your friends, but it will be a piece of junk. Bad color, flaws and cloudy, even cracks.  Bad cut to not let the light refract properly.  Smaller diamonds are expensive, but for a high quality stone, smaller is better for the money.  It's like buying a Rolls Royce that has paint peeling off and continually needs repairing.  Not much of a luxury.  Sterling Canyon has begun to offer smaller diamonds pave or inlaid into the pendant accompanied with a larger semi-precious stone. Quality small diamonds and very affordable.  Check it out.