Diamond 101: The 4 Cs of Diamonds

4 Cs: Cut

This is the way that the diamond is physically cut to create its fire and brilliance. GIA has calculated the cut results for 38.5 million proportion sets based on the assessment of seven components.

The first three — Brightness, Fire, and Scintillation — are appearance-based aspects. The remaining four — Weight Ratio, Durability, Polish, and Symmetry — are related to a diamond’s design and craftsmanship.

The “cut” of a diamond is often mistaken for the “shape” of a diamond. This is different. Below are various diamond shapes to choose from.

4 Cs: Clarity

The clarity determines how perfect the diamond itself is — whether it has any flaws, blemishes, or other features that affect the beauty. Clarity is measured by abbreviations and acronyms like FL (flawless), VVS1 & VVS2 (very, very slight inclusions), SI1 & SI2 (slight inclusions), and I1, I2 & I3 (inclusions that are visible to the naked eye). Each level of flaws has its own range.

Diamonds of equal clarity grade do not look equally the same. Inclusions can be white clouds or dark bits of carbon. Certain inclusions are harder to see than others even if they have the same clarity grade.

4 Cs: Color

Diamonds can range in color from being slightly yellow to completely colorless. Colorless diamonds are the rarest and therefore more valuable. Color is graded with a letter system from D through Z, with D being the best (Colorless) and Z being very noticeably yellow. Most often, jewelers will suggest you don’t go past a J color to keep her diamond in the Near Colorless category.

4 Cs: Carat

Carat is the weight of the diamond, which also affects the size. A higher carat means the diamond has a higher weight and is therefore more rare and valuable. But you want to make sure it hasn’t just been cut for added weight. Sometimes diamonds are cut to be bottom heavy or “spready” on top to increase the carat weight. While it will be heavier, it won’t necessarily be as beautiful as it could be.

Diamond Certificates

Diamonds are typically accompanied by a grade report, which is issued by an independent gemological association such as GIA or EGL. This will formally list all the characteristics of your chosen diamond.

You’ll see a lot of diamonds at various prices and not know why each one costs what it does. Many people come to us fixated on a specific grade, but your fiancé won’t be wearing the certificate on her finger. All she is going to see is whether or not it’s gorgeous.

It is important for customers to know that the purpose of a diamond certificate is to identify and describe the diamond. That’s all! Many customers feel that the certificate is a guarantee or warranty – It is not. Even the disclosure on certificates states: “This certificate is NOT an appraisal, guarantee, or warranty.”

The color and clarity are the opinion of the lab at that time. Color and clarity results can differ based on when or who grades the diamond. This is why the same diamond can go to the same lab and receive different grades. Dimensions alone will not tell you if a diamond is bright or pretty. This is why you cannot rely solely on the certificate to determine how gorgeous a diamond is.

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