4 C’s
Diamonds are often considered a symbol of eternal love and commitment, making them a popular choice for engagement rings and other significant jewelry. However, not all diamonds are created equal. To make an informed purchase, it’s essential to understand the 4C’s of diamonds: Carat, Cut, Color, and Clarity. This guide will take you through each aspect in detail, ensuring you are well-equipped to select the perfect diamond.
CUT
Cut is arguably the most crucial of the 4C’s. It refers to how well a diamond’s facets interact with light. A well-cut diamond will exhibit brilliance, fire, and scintillation, making it sparkle and catch the eye.
Cut Grades:
- Excellent
- Very Good
- Good
- Fair
- Poor
COLOR
Color in diamonds refers to the absence of color. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) grades diamonds on a color scale from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown). The less color a diamond has, the higher its value.
Color Grades:
- D-F: Colorless
- G-J: Near Colorless
- K-M: Faint Color
- N-R: Very Light Color
- S-Z: Light Color
CLARITY
Clarity measures the presence of internal inclusions and external blemishes. The fewer imperfections a diamond has, the higher its clarity grade.
Clarity Grades:
- FL: Flawless
- IF: Internally Flawless
- VVS1 and VVS2: Very, Very Slightly Included
- VS1 and VS2: Very Slightly Included
- SI1 and SI2: Slightly Included
- I1, I2, and I3: Included
CARAT
Carat Weight refers to the size of the diamond. One carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams. Diamonds are often weighed to the hundredth decimal place, and every fraction of a carat can influence the price of the diamond. Larger diamonds are rarer and thus more valuable.
