Not all diamonds are created equal, and sometimes it’s easy to forget that. All diamonds, mined and lab grown, are defined by the 4C’s, a term used to describe four key characteristics that determine the value and quality of a diamond. Many buyers of diamond jewellery focus largely on carat, the weight of the diamond, to govern its value but there are three other important features to take note of. The 4C’s include carat, clarity, cut and colour.
Carat – A diamond’s carat refers to the size of the gemstone. It does not relate to height or width, despite what some might think, but the weight of the diamond. One carat equals 0.20 grams. Larger diamonds are typically more valuable, but other factors play into this too including its cut, colour and clarity.
Cut – The cut of a diamond indicates how it has been shaped and faceted which affects how the gemstone sparkles. Cut is not a reference to the overall shape of the diamond, but quality of the cut’s precision, symmetry, and polish. The GIA (Gemological Institute of America) grades diamond cuts on a scale from Excellent to Poor.
Colour – Most know diamonds as being colourless, but in fact these gemstones can come in a range of colours including shades of yellow and brown. The GIA grades diamonds depending on their colour from D (colourless) to Z (light yellow or brown). As you’d imagine, colourless diamonds are the most rare and valuable.
Clarity – A diamond’s clarity relates to the presence of internal and external imperfections or inclusions in the stone. These imperfections are graded when the diamond is viewed under 10x magnification from Flawless (no inclusions or blemishes shown) to Included (inclusions and/or blemishes visible to the naked eye).
It is important to take into consideration these four factors when determining a diamond’s overall quality and price. They can help you make an informed decision that aligns with your personal preferences and budget.
