.Diamond Guide -- The 4 C’s

Each diamond is very unique and has it’s own “fingerprint.”  Just like human fingerprints, no two diamonds are exactly alike.  A rating system has been established as a universal diamond guide to help rate diamonds and determine their value.  The 4 C’s -- Cut, Clarity, Color, and Carat -- make up the rating scale.  Each rating component is an important variable to the true value of each diamond.  Diamond value is not based on carat weight alone. This diamond guide explains how all of the following factors work together to determine what a diamond really is worth.

Diamond Cut

Diamond cut refers to two components of a diamond.  The first is diamond shape as seen below.  Diamond shape is a unique preference for individuals.  The most common diamond shapes are round and princess shapes.  Next is the quality of the actual cut of the diamond.  Well cut diamonds sparkle and shine more because of how light enters and exits the diamond.  Diamond cuts are rated with one of the following: Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor.  The better the cut, the more expensive the diamond.

Diamond Clarity

Diamonds are made under the natural forces of intense heat and pressure.  Because of this, diamonds have small blemishes or inclusions.  These inclusions can affect how light enters and reflects from a diamond.  The lower on the clarity scale, the easier it is to see these inclusions with the naked eye.

FL = Flawless -- No external or internal flaws and very rare.

VVS1 & VVS2 = Very, very slight exclusions -- It is very difficult to see inclusions with magnification.

VS1 & VS2 = Very slight exclusions -- It is difficult to see inclusions with magnification.

SI1, SI2, & SI3 = Slight inclusions -- Inclusions are visible under magnification and possibly without magnification.

I1, I2 & I3 = Inclusions -- Inclusions are visible to the naked eye.

Diamond Color

After a diamond’s cut, the diamond’s color is usually the second  most important thing people look for.  The more colorless the diamond, the more sparkle the eye sees.  A pale yellow appears the more color a diamond has in it.   Price is higher the more colorless the diamond is.

Diamond Carat

The diamond carat is how much the diamond weighs.  A .5 carat is the same as a 1/2 carat diamond.  Price does not double if you go from 1 carat to 2 carats.  Price goes up exponentially because higher carat diamonds are more rare.

Diamond Certification

No diamond guide would be complete without weighing in the significance of diamond certifications. When buying a diamond, it is critical to make sure you are buying a real diamond that meets the specifications that are advertised.  Diamond certification becomes crucial so that your dollars and your purchase are protected. Various diamond certification agencies exist.  The GIA (Gemological Institute of America) is the most well known and respected diamond laboratory and rating agency in the world.  Each diamond they rate comes with certification verifying the specific characteristics of the diamond.  The GIA is the place where the 4 C’s were invented!

Below is a video clip produced by the GIA explaining the diamond rating and certification process.