When you are looking for the perfect 4cs of diamonds, there are four factors you need to keep in mind: carat, cut, color, and clarity. Each of these factors is important, but they also vary in importance depending on the type of diamonds you are looking for.
For example, a karat diamond is much more valuable than a 1.4 carat diamond of the same cut and clarity because it’s smaller. On the other hand, if you are looking for a round brilliant, color is the most important factor because there are no other shapes or cuts available in different colors.
The 4Cs of diamond are graded by the GIA or the Gemological Institute of America. The GIA is the most respected and well-known authority on diamonds globally, and millions of diamond buyers and jewelers trust their evaluations throughout the world.
The four Cs of diamonds stand for carat, cut, color, and clarity.
Cut Diamond
The cut is the component of diamond quality that is the most difficult to judge. It includes the height, depth, angles, and other factors determining a diamond’s sparkly. The cut of a diamond is significant because it affects how sparkly and brilliant the diamond will be. The cut considers the diamond’s proportions, symmetry, and polish.
Grade chart of a diamond’s cut.
Cut has various grades that you need to know about before purchasing a diamond. The following are the grades;
1. Excellent -It provides the best light performance. It radiates fire and brilliance that will undoubtedly make it a noticed stone.
2. Very Good -To pass as a Very Good cut, the stone should emit bright light, and it must also allow some of that light to escape.
3. Good -It is an efficient cut that can reflect almost all the light that enters it.
4. Poor -This cut is flawed, and its performance characteristics are usually inferior.
5. Fair -This diamond does not have all the features of an excellent cut, but it is better than a poor cut.
6. Standard -This is the most common type of cut found in most diamonds.
7. None -This means that the diamond is not cut down to the essential criteria.
How to choose the best cut of a diamond
-The best way to select a diamond’s cut is to find one that has “excellent” or “very good” on the certificate.
The diamond’s cut has the most significant effect on the total appearance.
-The cut quality affects how well light interacts with the stone to make it sparkle.
-Be wary of diamonds that are certified with “excellent” or “perfect” cut grades but come at low carat weights.
-Diamonds with “good” cut grades tend to offer lower quality and more brilliance than diamonds with either “excellent” or “perfect” cut grades.
How grades of the cut affect the price
The four Cs of diamonds determines the price of a diamond. The cut grade is one of those c’s, and it directly impacts the cost of the diamond. The better the cut, the more it will cost.
Carat Diamond
It is the weight of the diamond that is measured in carats. The higher the carat weight, the more valuable the diamond will be. However, it is rare to find a diamond over two carats as a general rule.
The Bride tip:
A karat diamond is a good choice for an engagement ring because it is the most popular size. It is divided into 100 points, making it easier to understand the diamond’s size than other diamonds.
1 carat = 100 points
When you are selecting a diamond, there are two ways you can find its carat weight: by the actual weight and by the number of points. For example, if a diamond weighs 1.2 carats, you can see its weight as 100 points plus 20 percent (120).
What to look for carat diamond
When buying a diamond, you should look for one with at least 0.5 carats (50 points). The reason is that when looking at diamonds smaller than this, it can be challenging to determine what the diamond looks like in real life.
Color Diamonds
They are not always clear and white. They can be almost any color. A yellow diamond, for example, is precious because it’s rare to find one that’s any color other than white. The most valuable color is blue. It is why the Hope Diamond is worth so much. GIA uses the color grades of D through Z as follows:
D-F Diamonds: Colorless. These diamonds will look just like water, at least to the human eye.
G-J Diamonds: Near Colorless. There will be only a slight hint of color. These diamonds are perfect for people who want a white diamond but not too white.
K-M Diamonds: Faint Yellow. These diamonds will have a very light yellow tint.
N-Z Diamonds: Yellow. These diamonds will have a noticeable yellow tint.
Reasons why GIA grading starts at D
The GIA system starts at D because it is the grade that represents a diamond that is completely colorless to the human eye. When diamonds are graded, they are compared to a master set of diamonds assigned the grade D. A diamond graded an E is whiter than a diamond graded an F. However, it will still have a faint yellow tint than a D.
The Bride tip:
It doesn’t matter what color your diamond is because it can easily be turned into any color you want. However, if you plan to upgrade the ring, consider the color later. You may choose a less expensive diamond and have it colored later.
Diamond quality and price
The color of the stone can affect its value. Generally, white diamonds are more expensive than yellow diamonds. However, the color of a diamond is not always an indicator of its value.
Clarity Diamonds
It refers to the purity of a diamond. Flawless is the highest grade, so there are no visible flaws or inclusions. The scale ranges from Flawless to I3, which means that the diamond has imperfections visible only under ten times magnification.
What to look for clarity?
It would help if you looked for one with no inclusions visible to the naked eye when selecting a diamond. However, keep in mind that even diamonds with inclusions can be stunning. The most important thing is to choose a diamond that you like the look of.
The following are the considerations to take in mind when selecting the diamond clarity;
– The higher the clarity grade, the more likely it is to get a better carat weight.
– If you plan on having your diamond set in a ring, you might want to get a higher grade than lower because it will be more complex and more expensive for the jeweler to set the diamond if there are many inclusions.
– If you are looking to buy a diamond for an investment, you should consider getting a higher grade because the value of the diamond will go up as the clarity grade goes up.
The Bride tip:
Keep in mind that not all clarity grades are available for every type of diamond. For example, a diamond with perfect color and cut may not have a flawless clarity grade because it has one or more visible flaws.
What is the best diamond grade?
The GIA grades diamonds for their quality. They rate the quality of the diamond on how it appears to the human eye. However, there are many other factors that you should consider when deciding what grade to buy.
– The color should be uniform all around the diamond and should not have any visible inclusions or blemishes. It can be hard to find in lower grades.
– The cut should be symmetrical, and the angles should be precise. The diamond should also have a good amount of sparkle.
– The clarity should be without any blemishes or inclusions that are visible to the naked eye.
– The carat weight should be within the average range for a diamond of that grade. For example, a GIA graded I color diamond with an SI2 clarity is not worth as much as a GIA graded SI1 clarity.
The buying guide for the 4Cs of Diamonds
When buying a diamond, it is crucial to have a good idea of what you want. You should know where in the world to buy a diamond and who sells them at a fair price. When someone says that their diamonds are “certified,” you should ask for proof from GIA. There are plenty of diamonds being sold worldwide, so it’s essential to do your research before buying.
Get an idea of what you want before you go shopping. It will help you to narrow down your options and avoid getting overwhelmed. Talk to married friends or have recently been engaged for advice on shopping for their diamonds. You can also browse online for ideas. When you have a picture in your head of what you want, it is easier to shop for because you can go out and find a diamond that matches the style.
When choosing between two or more diamonds, consider their clarity grade. A flawless diamond will usually be higher priced than one with visible flaws, even if they have the same carat weight. If you’re looking to buy an investment diamond, you should consider a diamond with a higher clarity grade.
Keep in mind that colorless diamonds are not the only beautiful diamonds. Many people prefer a diamond with a slight yellow tint because it is unique and gives a vintage ring. If you are not sure what you want, it is good to go to a jeweler and look at the different diamonds they offer.
When buying a diamond, don’t forget about the ring setting! The setting can enhance or detract from the beauty of the diamond. For example, a simple solitaire setting will show the diamond better than a set with many stones.
Think about where you will be wearing your ring and what kind of activities you will be doing. If you are going to be doing a lot of manual labor, you might want to consider getting a ring with a more durable setting.
The most important thing is finding a ring that you love and feel comfortable wearing every day. Buying a diamond can be a daunting task, but it will be a little easier if you keep these things in mind.
How to care for your 4Cs of Diamonds
-When you are not wearing your diamond, it is a good idea to store it in a soft cloth or in the jewelry box that it came in.
-Do not use harsh chemicals or cleaners on your diamond. Simple mild soap and water will be enough to clean it.
-Be very careful when you are cleaning the setting of your diamond. Don’t use anything that could scratch the metal.
-If your diamond becomes dirty, you can use a toothbrush to clean it. Just make sure that you use a gentle toothbrush and not too much pressure.
Taking care of your diamond is very important. By following these simple tips, you can ensure that your diamond will last a lifetime.
What to look beyond 4Cs of Diamonds
-Clarity Grade: A diamond’s clarity grade is based on the number, size, and location of the blemishes and inclusions found inside the diamond.
-Cut grade (make sure that the diamond is cut well and that light could pass through)
-Carat Weight (more carat means more money)
-Treatment (treatment doesn’t affect diamond’s value much, but every jeweler would like to know if it has been treated or not. You should make them tell you; however, you should walk out the door if they don’t. Don’t buy diamonds with unknown treatment)
The order of importance for the four Cs depends on what type of diamond you are looking for. For example, if you are looking for a diamond to mount on a ring, carat weight is the most important because it determines how big the diamond will be.
If you are looking for a loose diamond to put in a pendant or necklace, clarity is more important because you will see the blemishes and inclusions better.
