You are very much in love and want to get married. But before you ask for her hand in marriage, you have to buy a diamond engagement ring. It wont just stand as a symbol of your undying love and affection -- it will also tell her that you care enough to choose only the best.

Here are some guidelines about diamond engagement rings to help you on your way:

The cut of the diamond on your engagement ring is probably the most important factor, because the brilliance of a diamond depends heavily on it. The ability of the diamond to handle light depends on how its angles are architectured. The best diamonds are proportioned the depth should be optimally matched to the diameter, among other things.

Make sure that the diamond you are buying has minimal inner flaws (called inclusions) that are created in the formation process. The more visible and the bigger the size of these inclusions, the lower the diamond is rated in terms of clarity. Clear diamonds are more brilliant, and therefore more expensive.

The best diamonds are colorless, since they allow maximum light refraction that creates sparkle. Off-white diamonds are cheaper, because they absorb light instead of refracting it, reducing brilliance.

Carat weight may seem tricky, but it is actually fairly easy to understand. Just keep in mind that the price of a diamond increases exponentially as its size increases. Bigger is not necessarily better, though, so try to strike a balance between size and quality.

Often called the fifth C in choosing a diamond, a certificate is like a grading report that contains the assessment of the diamond according to a qualified professional. This professional uses gemological instruments not only to evaluate the cut, color, clarity and carat weight, but also to document the stones unique characteristics.