Diamond Guide - The 4 Cs

Together with price, the basis of your selection should be on the 4C. The quality of a diamond is defined by means of the 4C's: Carat, Clarity, Color and Cut. These characteristics do not only determine the stone's quality, they can also be very useful in identifying the diamond, since every diamond is unique. 

CARAT

Probably the first characteristic that you will pay attention to. A carat is the unit of measurement which the jewelry industry uses to weigh a diamond. One carat is equal to 0.20 gr. Diamond weight is also displayed in points. One carat is equal to 100 points. Thus a stone of e.g. 1.50 carat means it is 1 carat and 50 points. Remember when selecting a diamond you need to take into consideration all of the 4C's and not just the carat weight. 

COLOR 

Over 90% of all gem diamonds have a basically yellowish color. The intensity can vary from nearly colorless, which is preferable, to decidedly yellow. The value of a white stone is higher than that of a yellowish stone. However, diamonds can also have a distinct orange, brown, pink, green or blue color. These color diamonds can be extremely valuable. The color grade describes the color tones in a stone. D is perfectly colorless, which is rare and expensive. The color scale goes from D to Z and indicates yellow and brown tones. It takes a trained eye to distinguish between shades that are close together, but an untrained eye see the difference between shades that are several tones apart with a little practice.

• D Colorless - Highest color grade your diamond can achieve. This color emits unequaled brilliance, and is extremely rare.
• E  Colorless - Only extremely small traces of color can be identified by an expert gemologist. Also extremely rare.
• F Colorless - Slight color detected by an expert gemologist, but still considered a "colorless" grade. A high-quality diamond
• G Near Colorless - Noticeable color only when compared to higher color grades. Excellent value, as it appears colorless to the untrained eye.
• H  White color - virtually colorless also an excellent value. 
• I Slightly detectable color
• J Slightly tinted white
• K Tinted White
• L Tinted White
• M Tinted White
• N-Z Tinted - Not offered

CLARITY

Pure diamonds are extremely rare. Almost all rough diamonds contain impurities or "Inclusions" which are traces on non-diamond material that were "trapped" in the mineral during the stone's formation. Many inclusions are removed during the cleaving, sawing, cutting and polishing of the diamond. The fewer inclusions or structure phenomena the stone displays, the higher the quality of the diamond. A diamond is "loupe clean" or "internally flawless" (LC/IF), if after examination by an expert grader with a 10 x magnification loupe under normal light conditions, is absent of internal characteristics 

More on Clarity


CUT

Don't confuse the diamond's "cut" with the diamond's "shape." Shape refers to the shape of the cut such as round, princess. emerald, etc. Diamond cut is perhaps the most important of the four Cs, so it is important to understand how this quality affects the properties and values of a diamond. The diamond’s cut is essential to its beauty. If the diamond is not well-cut, the diamond will not interact with light as it should. Even a diamond with outstanding colour and clarity will not display the fire and brilliance that diamonds are famous for.

A good cut gives a diamond its brilliance, which is that brightness that seems to come from the very heart of a diamond. The angles and finish of any diamond are what determine its ability to handle light, which leads to brilliance.

The proportions and finish grade of a diamond establish the quality of the cut. A good finish grade testifies to the workmanship of the diamond polisher. It refers to the symmetry of the facets and their overall finish. The best cut diamonds also have the right proportions between the different parts of the diamond. If these proportions are not optimal, the fire and brilliancy of the diamond are affected, and undesirable visual effects might occur.

We recommend placing the Cut as a high priority in your selection process.