The 4 C's: Cut, Color,
Clarity and Carat
- Find Your Diamond -
Diamonds should express individual taste and personality, but it is still a good idea to have some knowledge in considering a diamond purchase. You may have heard of the "4Cs", the name given to the four descriptive terms for diamond evaluation. Remember, however, that the purchase of a diamond, involves much more. Liken a diamond purchase to buying a new car. The appeal goes beyond performance standards. It has to look good! Keeping that in mind, let’s review the "4Cs".
Cut
This references proportions, symmetry, and finish. Cut also includes the shape outline of the diamond – round, oval, marquise, princess, etc. A diamond cutter’s skill in influencing and maximizing light return to create the perfect balance of Brilliance, Dispersion (or "Fire"), and Scintillation, determines the beauty of a cut.
Color
This refers to the body color of the diamond. Diamonds usually have a slight hint of yellow or brown. Color grading of a diamond, ranges from the letter "D" through "Z", and distinguishes the subtle differences based on the degree to which the diamond approaches colorlessness. D, E, and F are considered colorless and are deemed the most rare.
GIA Grade Descriptions:
| D - F |
G - J |
K - M |
N - R |
S - Z |
| Colorless |
Near Colorless |
Faint Yellow |
Very Faint Yellow |
Light Yellow |
Clarity
Identifying characteristics – internal and external – determine the clarity evaluation of a diamond. The fewer inclusions or blemishes, the more desirable the diamond. Inclusions, occurring naturally in a diamond, may be described as crystals, clouds, or feathers. Diamonds that reveal no such inclusions are categorized as flawless (FL), or internally flawless (IF).
Carat
The size of a diamond is measured in carat weight. Each carat is divided into 100 points, so a 0.75 ct. diamond equals 75 points. A carat equals 1/5 of a gram (or 1/142 of an ounce). An important comparison to remember would be two diamonds having the exact same carat weight may vary greatly in brilliance depending on their symmetry and cut, so carat weight alone is an unreliable measure for value.
