The Four Cs of Diamond Quality
four-cs
Cut
The most important C. Cut determines how brilliantly your diamond sparkles. An excellent cut maximizes light return for exceptional fire and brilliance.
Color
Graded D–Z, from colorless to light yellow. The less color, the rarer and more valuable. D–F are colorless and G–J near colorless — both excellent choices.
Clarity
Measures internal inclusions and surface blemishes. Grades run from FL (flawless) to I3. VS1–SI1 offer excellent value, with inclusions invisible to the naked eye.
Carat Weight
A measure of weight, not size. One carat equals 200 milligrams. Larger diamonds are rarer, but cut quality affects perceived size as much as carat weight.
Diamond Color Grading
color
Diamond color is graded on a scale from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown). The less color a diamond has, the higher its value.
Colorless (D–F): Rare and most valuable. No color visible to the naked eye.
Near Colorless (G–J): Excellent value. Color is difficult to detect unless compared side by side.
Faint (K–M): Slight color visible. Good value for larger diamonds.
Tip: G–H colors offer the best value — they appear colorless to the naked eye but cost less than D–F grades.
D–F
Colorless. Rare and most valuable. No color visible to the naked eye.
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G–J
Near colorless. Excellent value. Color is hard to see unless stones are side by side.
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K–M
Faint. Slight color visible. Good value for larger diamonds.
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Understanding Clarity
clarity
Clarity refers to the absence of inclusions and blemishes. Most inclusions are microscopic and don’t affect a diamond’s beauty.
FL
Flawless. No inclusions visible at 10x.
IF
Internally Flawless. No internal inclusions at 10x.
VVS1–VVS2
Very Very Slightly Included. Minute inclusions at 10x.
VS1–VS2
Very Slightly Included. Minor inclusions at 10x.
SI1–SI2
Slightly Included. Noticeable at 10x.
Eye-clean: VS2 and above are typically eye-clean, meaning inclusions are not visible without magnification.
Cut Quality
cut
Cut is the most important factor in a diamond’s beauty. It determines how well the diamond reflects light, creating brilliance, fire, and scintillation. Cut grades range from Excellent (maximum brilliance) down to Fair (slightly reduced brilliance).
Excellent
Maximum brilliance. An excellent cut maximizes light return for exceptional fire and brilliance.
Fair
Slightly reduced brilliance. Cut grades range from Excellent down to Fair.
Lab-created and natural
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Lab-created
Lab-created diamonds are grown in controlled environments using advanced technology that replicates the natural conditions under which diamonds form in the Earth. These stones possess the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as natural diamonds, offering identical brilliance, clarity, and durability. They also often come at a lower price point, making them an appealing choice for budget-conscious shoppers.
Natural
Natural diamonds and gemstones are formed over millions of years through geological processes deep within the Earth, giving each stone a unique character and provenance that many find meaningful. Our gemologists can help you weigh the differences and choose the stone that is right for you.
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