Diamonds are a girl’s best friend. That’s why we want to help you make the right purchase when you shop for diamonds. In this article, we’ll cover the four Cs of diamonds, how they affect price, and how to use them to your advantage when buying a diamond. We’ll also show you some good ways of doing research on exactly which diamond you should buy.

The 4C’s of Diamond

In the world of diamonds, there are four main characteristics that determine the quality of a stone: cut, carat weight, color, and clarity. These factors are known as The Four C’s. Although there are other minor points to consider when purchasing a diamond, such as fluorescence, these four elements are considered most important by consumers and jewelers alike.

The cut refers to how well-proportioned a diamond is across its surface. It also indicates how much light can enter through an opening at its center and reflect off of its facets to give off sparkle. The carat weight refers to how heavy or dense the stone is. One carat equals 200 milligrams. 

Color grading measures how vibrant your diamond looks when compared with others of similar size and shape under specific lighting conditions. The scale used ranges from D through Z, with D being colorless while Z being yellow-tinted or brown-tinted. And clarity refers to the inclusions present within each individual gemstone. 

Exploring each of the Cs is crucial to strengthen your understanding of diamonds and their value. 

Carat Weight

Carat weight is the weight of the diamond. This is usually measured in carats, with 1 carat equaling 200 milligrams. In general, higher carat weights mean more beautiful and valuable diamonds. However, this does not apply to every single scenario.

According to a market report published by BriteCo, the most common carat weight for a diamond center stone of engagement rings is around 1.0 to 1.5 carats. This is owing to the fact that these sizes are still small enough to fit into most engagement rings without making them look too big or gaudy. If you want something bigger than that, then you have to consider whether it will be able to fit inside your ring setting or not.

Cut Quality

The cut of a diamond is one of the most important things to consider when you are shopping for jewelry. The cut quality is what makes your diamond look as beautiful and sparkly as it does. It also affects how much light it reflects, which in turn can affect how bright or dark the stone looks, depending on its color. In short, a well-cut diamond will shine brighter than an uncut diamond of similar size and quality.

The Gemological Institute of America uses specific terms to describe different cuts. EX for excellent, VG for Vergy Good, G for good, F for fair, and P for Poor. The top grade for cut quality is Excellent. And a diamond with an excellent grade is very bright. On the other hand, poor diamonds have visible areas of dullness. 

Color Grade

The color grade is one of the most subjective of the 4Cs. It is based on how a diamond reacts to light. The higher the color grade, the more yellow or brown a diamond will appear. Conversely, a lower grade means that it’ll be whiter. In fact, when you see an absolutely pure white diamond, it’s actually considered flawless and rare because they are so uncommon.

Clarity Grade

Clarity refers to how many inclusions are in a diamond. Inclusions are natural and not flaws, but they can affect the value of a diamond. Some inclusions are not visible to the naked eye, but under magnification, you may be able to see them. 

There are seven clarity grades. The grade FL is for Flawless, IF for Internally Flawless, VS for Very Slightly Included, VVS for Very Very Slightly Included,  SI for Slightly Included, I1 for Included, and I2 and I3 for Heavily Included Diamonds. 

Diamonds with zero blemishes or inclusions at 10x magnification are flawless. They are the perfect diamonds, but the cost of these diamonds are so high that not everyone can afford a flawless piece of diamond. 

On the other end of the scale, Included diamonds have visible inclusions that can be viewed with the naked eye. In between these two extremes are the VVS diamonds, which have inclusions so minute that they are visible at 10x magnifications only. Sometimes, a well-cut VVS diamond with a good color and size can be as valuable as a flawless diamond. 

Reviews and Recommendations

When it comes to shopping for diamonds, you may be tempted to go straight to the source and find out which wholesalers have the best prices. But if you want quality, that’s not always the right way to go. Instead, ask around and do some research on your own before making a purchase.

It doesn’t take much digging to find out whether or not a retailer has a good reputation in your area. Just ask around. And once you’ve found one or two jewelers with positive reviews from past customers, don’t hesitate to visit them in person. 

Look for Certification Details

Look for certification details. If you see “certified,” there’s a good chance that the diamond has been certified by one of the most reputable labs in the industry, such as the Gemological Institute of America or the American Gem Society.

Look for grading reports. Your gemologist should be able to provide an independent diamond grading report from a third-party lab like AGS or HRD. These are two of the most well-respected labs in the world when it comes to assessing diamonds’ quality and value.

Ask about certification details. While buying directly from a jeweler, ask them if this stone has any certifications. And What are those certifications? It will help you figure out what kind of value they’re putting on their product. And whether or not it’s worth it given that they haven’t gone through all these steps themselves.

Conclusion

There’s no doubt about it. Diamonds are a luxury item, and it can be difficult to know what you’re getting into when shopping for one. But if you keep these four Cs in mind, you’ll be able to make an informed purchase every time. By doing your research ahead of time and being mindful of what you need from your diamond, you can avoid many common mistakes made by first-time buyers.

Read: 5 Carat Emerald Cut Lab Diamond Buying Guide