What are the 4Cs of Diamond?
Learn more about diamonds and GIA Diamond Grading Reports
Gemology experts have developed methods of grading diamonds depending on their characteristics most important to their value as a gem. The value of a white diamond is determined by what are commonly referred to as the 4Cs. Four characteristics popularly known as the Four C’s are commonly used as basic descriptors of diamond, namely Clarity, Color, Cut and Carat. Each of the 4Cs are important and the most valuable Diamonds are those that possess the best of all four measurements.
We bring you useful educational information of important aspects of jewelry and jewelry buying. We have made efforts to cover most tat you will need to know in order to make a sound decision about your jewelry buying. Read below and learn about these 4 most important aspects of diamond. As always, please feel free to contact us if you have specific questions about our designs or even questions in general.
Diamond Clarity
Clarity of a diamond is just as what it says... how clear the diamond is. There are more specific and various definitions of the clarity of diamond.
Clarity of a diamond signifies its property of being free from any imperfections in its crystal structure and inclusions that make each diamond unique. Inclusions can be crystals of other material or another diamond crystal.
Clarity is the evaluation of a diamond's internal and external characteristics. The fewer inclusions or blemishes, the more desirable the diamond.
Clarity is a term used to describe the absence or presence of flaws inside or on the surface of a diamond or other gemstone. A perfect stone with perfect clarity--clearness--is rare, and most flaws that do exist in jewelry grade diamonds cannot be seen without looking at stones through a jeweler's magnifying loupe.
Diamond Color
The whiter the diamond is, the more expensive and desirable it is considered to be. That is not to say that a little less than super white is less beautiful and therefore should be less desirable. The quality of a diamond depends upon the combination of all 4 Cs together and not just the color. More over, a less than white diamond may be just appealing to you for with the appearance and color with radiance that you are looking for.
Remember, the diamond grading information given here is about the scientific scale that has been developed to assess the color of a diamond. It should not be construed as the only measure to buy your diamond. Don't forget, diamonds, gemstones and jewelry is a perceived value that very competitive. What you like and what best price you can get from a reliable source should matter the most.
Diamond Cut
The cut of a diamond is considered to be the most important characteristic for judging diamond quality. Even if the mined diamond has good clarity and desired color, the cut determines the overall look and feel of the gem. Cutting a diamond works like making finished product (gemstone) out of raw material (the mined diamond).
A cut refers to symmetry, polish and proportioning more importantly than the shape of cut (round, oval, cushion, square etc). A well cut diamond can even hide defects and impurities within and thus improve brilliance and color of the cut diamond, whereas a poor cut diamond would degrade a diamond’s quality and value.
A cut determines the amount of brilliance the gem would exhibit. It includes parameters like roundness, width, depth and face uniformity. Cut is most important as it is the only factor that determines the final presentation of the diamond. However, there is no universal standard which states the best and perfect proportions of a brilliant cut.
Diamond Carat Weight
Diamond carat weight is commonly confused with the shape of the diamond. But diamond carat is used to measure a diamond’s weight. It is also commonly confused with "karat" which is the measure of purity of gold.
"Carat total weight” (Ct. T.W.) describes the combined total weight of all the stones in a piece of jewelry having more than one diamond.