Diamond Information: The Four C's
Understanding the characteristics that determine a diamond's quality and value
There are few substances in nature, if any, more precious weight for weight than a diamond. And none are more lasting. But a diamond does not start as a gem of marvelous beauty — it takes many steps and the skills of many craftsmen to bring you the diamond that sparkles in your fine jewelry.
All diamonds are rare, but some are rarer than others. Just like fine wines, watches, and horses — all diamonds have qualities and characteristics that make them different from each other and more or less valuable. No two diamonds are the same!
Cut
The cut of a diamond refers to how well the diamond has been shaped and faceted from its original rough form. A well-cut diamond reflects light brilliantly, creating the sparkle and fire that makes diamonds so desirable.
Key Points:
- Ideal or Excellent Cut: Maximum brilliance and fire
- Very Good Cut: Reflects most of the light that enters
- Good Cut: Reflects much of the light, good value
- Fair/Poor Cut: Light escapes from sides or bottom
Color
Diamond color actually refers to the lack of color. The less color a diamond has, the more valuable it is. The GIA color scale ranges from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown).
Key Points:
- D-F: Colorless - Extremely rare and valuable
- G-J: Near Colorless - Excellent value, appears colorless
- K-M: Faint Yellow - Visible warmth, budget-friendly
- N-Z: Light Yellow/Brown - Noticeable color
Clarity
Clarity measures the amount of inclusions (internal) and blemishes (external) in a diamond. Most diamonds have tiny imperfections that occurred during their natural formation process.
Key Points:
- FL/IF: Flawless/Internally Flawless - Extremely rare
- VVS1/VVS2: Very Very Slightly Included - Difficult to see inclusions
- VS1/VS2: Very Slightly Included - Minor inclusions
- SI1/SI2: Slightly Included - Noticeable inclusions
- I1-I3: Included - Obvious inclusions affecting brilliance
Carat
Carat is the unit of weight for diamonds. One carat equals 200 milligrams. Larger diamonds are rarer and therefore more valuable, but two diamonds of equal carat weight can have very different values based on cut, color, and clarity.
Key Points:
- Carat weight affects size, but cut quality affects how large a diamond appears
- Price increases exponentially with carat weight
- Consider total carat weight for multi-stone pieces
- A well-cut smaller diamond can appear larger than a poorly-cut larger one
Ready to Find Your Perfect Diamond?
Browse our extensive collection of diamond jewelry, or contact our experts for personalized assistance.