Diamond Knowledge
Understanding the diamond 4Cs from GIA diamond grading
When choosing a diamond, understanding the 4Cs—Color, Cut, Carat, and Clarity—is essential. These factors determine a diamond’s beauty, brilliance, and value.
Selecting the perfect diamond depends on personal preferences and budget. A well-cut diamond with a near-colorless appearance and minimal visible inclusions will provide the best balance of beauty and value.
As professional jeweler, we will help you to understand the 4Cs—Color, Cut, Carat, and Clarity, and find the perfect diamond for your needs.
Color: The Less Color, the Higher the Value
Diamonds are graded on a color scale from D (colorless) to Z (noticeable yellow or brown tint)
D-F: Colorless, rare, and highly valuable.
G-J: Near-colorless, offering great value with minimal visible color.
K-M: Slightly tinted, more affordable, with a warm hue.
N-Z: Noticeable color, often appearing yellow or brown.
Clarity: Evaluating inclusions and blemishes
Diamond clarity refers to the absence of these inclusions and blemishes. Diamonds without these birthmarks are rare, and rarity affects a diamond’s value. Using the GIA International Diamond Grading System™, diamonds are assigned a clarity grade that ranges from flawless (FL) to diamonds with obvious inclusions (I3).
Every diamond is unique. None is absolutely perfect under 10× magnification, though some come close. Known as Flawless diamonds, these are exceptionally rare. Most jewelers have never even seen one.
Cut: The key to sparkle and brilliance
A diamond’s cut is the most important factor in its sparkle. It determines how well light reflects within the stone. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) grades cut from Excellent to Poor.
Excellent & Very Good: Maximum brilliance and fire.
Good: Well-cut but with slightly less sparkle.
Fair & Poor: Lacks optimal light reflection, appearing dull.
Carat: The Measure of Diamond Weight
Carat refers to a diamond’s weight, not its size. One carat equals 0.2 grams. Understanding diamond carat weight is essential when selecting the perfect stone.
The same carat weight in a diamond can result in different sizes depending on how the diamond is cut. Carat refers to weight, not necessarily size, and different shapes and cutting styles distribute that weight differently.
Why Diamonds of the Same Carat Can Look Different in Size
- Shape Matters – Round, oval, pear, and marquise diamonds may look larger than cushion or princess cuts because they have more surface area on the top.
Example: A 1.00 carat round diamond (6.5mm) vs. a 1.00 carat oval diamond (7.7mm x 5.7mm). The oval appears bigger!
- Cut Proportions – A deep cut diamond holds more weight in the bottom (pavilion), making it look smaller from the top, while a shallow cut diamond spreads the weight out, appearing larger from the top.
Example: Two 1.00 carat round diamonds: One is deep and measures 6.1mm, another is shallow and measures 6.6mm, the second one looks bigger.
- Table Size & Spread – A diamond with a larger table (top facet) can appear bigger even if it has the same weight as another diamond with a smaller table.
Carat weight is only one factor in how big a diamond looks! If you want a bigger-looking diamond, consider elongated shapes, shallower cuts, and larger table percentages while maintaining good sparkle. With the same carat weight, Emerald, Marquise, Oval, Pear, Cusion shape appear bigger looking.