The 4 C’s of Diamonds: How to choose your diamond

Diamonds come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors with a variety of internal and surface characteristics. That is what makes them so unique. So what about in regards to pricing? The 4Cs have a lot to do with figuring out a diamonds value. That value is based on its own unique combination of the Four C’s (clarity, color, cut, and carat).

So what are the 4 C’s?

Before we go into what each of the 4 c’s are let's go back to history. Three of them (color, clarity, and carat) were the basics for the first diamond grading system established in India over 2,000 years ago! Back then, cut wasn’t the most important factor because no one really knew how to shape let alone polish a diamond. Now, thanks to technology, modern cutting brings the best out in each individual  diamond. The cut is an important factor in determining the diamonds value. Lets now go over all 4 of the c’s. 

Clarity:

• Diamonds have internal features, called inclusions, and external markings called blemishes. Together they make up clarity characteristics. Clarity is the relative absence of inclusions and blemishes.

Blemishes

• include scratches on a diamond’s surface.

Inclusions

• on the inside of the diamond

• Normally have more impact on a diamond’s beauty and value more than blemishes.

• Directly related to a concept of rarity based on GIAs grading system. Most gems that make up the bulk of retail markets fall between the two extremes:

Flawless

• Being top grade: Doesn’t have visible inclusions or blemishes when examined under 10x magnification by a skilled grader.

• Very rare = top pricing

Lower end of the scale:

• Diamonds with inclusions that can easily be seen by the naked eye.

Color:

• Colorless diamonds are quite rare.

• Most diamonds used in jewelry are nearly colorless with yellow or brown tints.

• Diamonds come in many colors other than yellow or brown.

  • Some of the most rare colors are red, purple, and green.

• Colored diamonds

  • With natural color means higher value.

  • Size: The bigger the diamond, the more vibrant and obvious the color.

Cut:

Can seriously show off some light in breathtaking ways.

• 3 important diamond characteristics

  • Brilliance: Brightness created by combination of all the white light reflections from the surface and the inside of a polished diamond.

  • Fire: flashes of color in a polished diamond.

  • Scintillation: flashes of light you see when the diamond, light, or person moves.

3 major parts of a polished diamond from top to bottom

• Crown: top part of gem above the girdle

• Girdle: narrow section of finished gem that forms the line or boundary between the crown and pavilion and functions as the gem’s setting edge.

• Pavilion: lower part of a faceted (flat polished surface on a finished gem) gem below the gem.

Cuts in shapes other than round are called fancy cuts. The most familiar are the marquise, princess, pear, oval, heart, and emerald. (Check my other blog post about how to buy an engagement ring for more info on these cuts!)

Some important cuts to know:

Brilliant

• cutting style with triangular or kite shaped facets

• Shows more fire than step cuts.

Standard round brilliant

• Cut gem with 57 and 58 facets. 

• Often called a full cut

Fancy cut

• Round stone with 17 to 18 facets

Facet cut

• Any gemstone shape other than round.

Step cut

• Cutting style that features long, narrow facets in rows parallel to the girdle on both the crown and pavilion

• Shows off color better

Baguette

• Small four sided step cut that is rectangular, square, or tapered.

Mixed cut

• Combines brilliant and step cut styles.

Branded cut

• Style that is created, named and promoted by a specific manufacturer.

Last but not least we have carats...and I am not talking about Bugs Bunny’s!🥕

Carat (Weight):

• Metric carat is divided into 100 points. (A point is one hundredth of a carat.

• Think of carats as dollars and points as the pennies

• Second aspect of carat weight is the relationship between rarity, weight, and value.

  • Large diamonds are more rare than small ones.

  • The more scarce something is the more its worth.

  • Larger gems don't just cost more-they cost more per carat.

• Just don’t confuse the term carat with Karat. (Karat is the unit of measure that describes the purity of gold.)

Lastly, Therese can help you with all your cut, clarity, color, carat needs for the right COST! Give her a CALL :).

See our unique engagement ring designs featuring a variety of cuts or custom design your own!

Blue Diamond in a round cut.