Diamond-4cs

The 4 C's of diamonds, also known as the diamond 4C's or the diamond quality factors, are the four distinct characteristics that all diamonds share. They include Carat (the weight of a diamond), Color (the amount and intensity of color in a diamond), Clarity (the presence or absence of flaws in a diamond) and Cut (the quality and type of cut a diamond has).

The 4 C’s of diamonds help establish both quality control standards and consumer information when buying diamonds or gemstones online or in store. When you understand what they stand for it will be easier to select which stones best meet your expectations while still adhering within your budget limits.

Diamond carat is a measure of the weight and size of a diamond. It is equal to 200 milligrams or 0.2 grams and is the unit used to measure the weight of diamonds. Carats are typically expressed in points, with one carat being equivalent to 100 points. The larger the diamond, the more carats it will have, meaning higher value for a bigger stone.

Cut refers to how well facets were applied on each side of the diamond to give it optimal sparkle and brilliance. The cut grade takes into account symmetry, polish and proportion in order for light rays to bounce off each surface and be refracted into dazzling beams. Different shapes such as round brilliant, princess, marquise and emerald will have different faceting patterns that impact its look under certain lights and settings.

Color is one way to identify a diamond. While most diamonds appear colorless, some have yellow or brown hues. Diamonds can also be graded according to their lack of color. A perfectly white diamond would be given a grade of D on the GIA color scale while a faint yellow would receive a grade near Z. The higher grades represent diamonds with no visible color while lower grades show slight tinting due to impurities in the stone’s formation process.

Clarity is another way to assess the value of a diamond. Inclusions refer to any internal imperfections in a stone such as fractures, clouds, spots or blemishes that can reduce its value and affect its brilliance when light passes through it. On the GIA clarity scale, diamonds with few imperfections get higher grades from Flawless (FL) to Slightly Included (SI).