For centuries, men and women have found that the sparkle and brilliance of a quality diamond expresses their deepest emotions and symbolizes their enduring love. Yet with many beautiful diamonds to choose from--and no two alike--how do you pick the right diamond while spending wisely? The 4C's, along with the guidance of a trusted jeweler, you should be able to find the answer.
To establish a diamond's quality, jewelers examine each of the 4C's---cut, clarity, carat weight, and color. The combination of the 4C's determines the value of a particular diamond. Strive for a stone that offers the best combination of the 4C's. Ultimately, you'll discover the unique combination of the 4C's that makes a particular diamond the right choice for you. Its beauty and brilliance will capture the true sentiment of the occasion.
The 4C's
- Carat
The larger a diamond, obviously the more rare it is. Larger diamonds are found relatively infrequently in nature, which places them at the rarest level of the Diamond Quality Pyramid. What also makes a bigger diamond so desirable is that it shows off a stone's fine color and cut, and therefore its brilliance, to its best advantage. A diamond's size is measured in carat weight, and each carat is equal to 100 points. A .75 carat diamond is the same as a 75-point diamond or a 3/4 carat stone. While larger diamonds are highly prized, diamonds of equal size may vary widely in value and brilliance, depending on their qualities of clarity, cut and color.
4cts 3cts 2cts 1.75ct 1.5ct 1.25ct 1ct .75ct .50ct .25ct .10ct .05ct
- Clarity
The greater a diamond's clarity, the more brilliant, valuable and rare it is--and the higher it is on the Diamond Quality Pyramid. Virtually all natural diamonds contain identifying characteristics, yet many are invisible to the naked eye. Under the scrutiny of a jeweler's 10x-magnifying loupe or microscope, natural phenomena--called inclusions--may be seen. These are nature's birthmarks, and they may look like tiny crystals, clouds or feathers.
Diamonds categorized as internally flawless reveal no such inclusions. Flawless stones are at the peak of the Diamond Quality Pyramid and are treasured for their rarity and beauty. Diamonds with very, very small inclusions are graded as VVS1 or VVS2. The larger the inclusion, the lower the grade and the less rare the diamond. Inclusions that can be seen with the naked eye are graded I1 to I3.
The number, color, type, size and position of surface and internal birthmarks affect a diamond's value. Major inclusions can interfere with the path of light that travels through a diamond, diminishing its brilliance and sparkle and therefore it value.
FL IF VVS1 VVS2 VS1 VS2 SI1 SI2 I1 I2 I3
- Color
Diamonds are graded by color, starting at D and continuing through the alphabet. Truly colorless stones, graded at D, treasured fro their rarity and value, are highest on the Diamond Quality Pyramid. While many diamonds appear colorless, they may actually have subtle yellow or brown tones and these color grades include P and Q. Although still beautiful, they will be less rare and therefore less valuable. To appreciate the simple beauty of each individual stone, you should compare diamonds side by side with a jeweler. "Fancy" diamonds--in well defined colors that include red, pink, blue, green and canary yellow--are highly prized and particularly rare.
D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S-Z
- Cut
A well cut or faceted diamond, regardless of its shape, scintillates with fire and light--offering the greatest brilliance and value. While nature determines a diamond's clarity, carat weight, and color, the hand of a master craftsman is necessary to release its fire, sparkle, and beauty. When a diamond is cut to good proportions, light will reflect from one mirror-like facet to another and disperse through the top of the stone, resulting in a display of brilliance and fire(1). If the cut is too deep, then some light will escape through the opposite side of the stone(2). If the cut is too shallow, then some light will escape through the bottom before it can be reflected(3). As a result, poorly cut stones will be less brilliant and beautiful--and certainly less valuable--than well cut diamonds higher on the Diamond Quality Pyramid.
(1) (2) (3)
When you start to think about buying a diamond, you naturally want the best you can afford and a beautiful stone you will treasure forever. Diamonds can be found in a range of prices--and you're certain to find one within the quality that suits your taste and what you plan to spend. A jeweler who's a diamond expert can help you to select the right stone. Trustworthy jewelers, who establish long-standing relationships with customers, take pride in finding quality diamonds for them.
While all diamonds are beautiful, only by comparing stones will you be able to appreciate what makes one more rare and valuable than another. When you view stones side by side, you'll understand why diamonds that look similar at a casual glance are priced differently. Keep in mind that there are no "bargain" diamonds; there are only diamonds of different value, weight and brilliance.
A trusted jeweler can help you choose a diamond shape that suits your personal taste. The classic Round Brilliant, Oval, Pear, Marquise, Princess, Heart and Emerald shapes are among the most beautiful and popular today.
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