Since jewelry is always a hot choice for the holidays, it’s important to stop for a moment and take into consideration what it is you are purchasing. Those special prices can look tempting, but it’s worth putting in a bit of extra effort (and perhaps a bit of extra cash) to ensure you get something worthwhile. It will pay off in the long run when you have a lovely diamond that will probably increase in value. In fact, that is just the point that the New York Times makes with their tips on the ABCs of diamond-buying. The first thing to do is forget the setting and look at the quality of the stone. Color, clarity and cut are paramount. Once you’ve got a good one, you can think about the setting and the jeweler. But don’t let yourself be blinded by a special sale price unless you’re blinded by the brilliance of the diamond you’re buying, too.