The 4C's

The 4Cs

While not everyone will share the same opinion as to what constitutes beauty, most people want a diamond that expresses their individual taste and personality. Here’s what you should consider before buying a diamond: Cut, Color, Clarity, Carat Weight.

Cut

Of all the 4Cs, cut has the greatest effect on a diamond’s beauty. In determining the quality of the Cut, the grader evaluates the cutter’s skill in the fashioning of the diamond; technology assesses the diamond’s light performance.

Color

Gem-quality diamonds occur in many hues. In the range from colorless to light yellow or light brown; diamonds are compared to Master Color-Comparison Diamonds under controlled conditions. Colorless diamonds are the most rare. Other natural colors are known as fancy — their color grading is unique.

Clarity

Diamonds can have internal characteristics known as inclusions or external characteristics known as blemishes. The fewer inclusions or blemishes, the more rare the diamond.

Carat Weight

This is the diamond’s physical weight measured in metric carats. One carat equals 1/5 gram and is subdivided into 100 points. Carat weight is the most objective of the 4Cs. It involves no estimates, comparisons, or judgments.