Out of all the things that come together for a marriage, the most enduring and iconic symbols of the love you share with someone else are the wedding and engagement rings you slip on each others' fingers. But with so many options out there, it's difficult choosing the perfect one. With over 125 vendors, The San Francisco Giftcenter & Jewelrymart has the low-down on how to select the best high-quality diamonds from the largest selection in the Bay Area. Once you walk through the doors, you'll have almost any kind of diamond you can dream of at your fingertips. Think of it as your one-stop wedding ring shop, and just follow the four Cs–you’ll be guaranteed a gift that keeps on giving.

CUT
In the words of Marilyn Monroe, “square cut or pear shape, these rocks don’t lose their shape. Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.” The cut of a diamond determines its brilliance, and BFFs come in all shapes: Traditional cuts include round, princess, emerald, pear, marquise, oval, and heart.

COLOR
Though many diamonds appear colorless to the naked eye, most contain traces of yellow, brown, or gray. The less color the diamond has, the greater its rarity and value. Diamond color is graded along a spectrum, with D being absolutely colorless. Very rare diamonds can also be pink, deep yellow, blue, green, and red.

CLARITY
This refers to the presence, size, and location of mineral inclusions—carbon pinpoints, feathery crystals, and other natural inclusions in diamonds. The fewer inclusions, the more valuable the stone. Clarity is rated on a scale ranging from F (flawless) to I-3 (heavily included).

CARAT
A carat is the standard measure of a diamond’s size. Since the larger size of a diamond often increases its value, size does matter. But remember, carats are virtually meaningless unless a diamond’s cut, color, and clarity are also considered.

Contact any showroom to schedule your appointment. GiftCenter & JewelryMart, 888 Brannan St. San Francisco, CA 94103. 415-861-7733.