If you are about to buy a diamond for an engagement ring for your special sweetie, you are about to enter a turbulent world. The situation is typically this:
You will find that diamond buying can be as complex as you want it to be; there is a lot of information out there and there are many people who are more than willing to share it with you. I can absolutely assure you however, that Orwell's aphorism "Ignorance is Bliss" is 100% true when it comes to diamonds. If this is a one shot purchase, such as for an engagement ring, do NOT seek out information -- it will only make you miserable. In an effort to help others get through what I got through with less grief and aggravation, I've put together some simple guidelines detailing what you need to know to purchase a diamond that will look great.