"The hardest material known to man - learn more about this unique and the most desired in the world of Gemstones."

The 4Cs

Understanding the 4Cs:

Gemologists and jewelers around the world assess the physical attributes of diamonds using the 4Cs classification system cut, carat, color and clarity.

The 4Cs classification enables the comparison and valuation of diamonds. No one 'C' is more significant than another, and none will diminish in value over time.

A diamond s beauty is based on far more than these characteristics. Each one was formed billions of years ago and has travelled a long and arduous journey from deep within the Earth.

And while most of a diamonds qualities are defined by nature, it takes a master craftsman to unlock the diamond s true brilliance, fire and beauty.

Cut:

Cut refers to the angles and proportions of a diamond. It is the only one of the 4Cs that is influenced by the human hand.

Diamond cutting requires great skill and training. The cutter must polish tiny surfaces known as facets onto the rough diamond. This process is what creates the facets known as the crown, culet, table, girdle and pavilion of the diamond.

A well-cut diamond will internally reflect light from one mirror-like facet to another and disperse and reflect it through the top of the gem. The facets, when arranged in precise proportions, will maximize the fire life and brilliance of a diamond.

A well-cut diamond will be higher in quality and value than deep or shallow-cut diamonds. Diamonds that are cut too deep or too shallow lose or leak light through the side or bottom, resulting in less brilliance and a less valuable stone.

Cut also refers to the shape of a diamond round, square, or pear, for example.

The most common ones are described below:

Round diamonds are symmetrical and capable of reflecting nearly all the light that enters, so it is the most brilliant of all diamond shapes and the most popular too.

Princess-cut is the second most popular shape for diamonds. Its face-up shape is square or rectangular and the side-on shape is similar to that of an inverted pyramid with four beveled sides. It displays the same high degree of brilliance as that of the round diamonds while flaunting a distinctive shape.

Oval diamond has beautiful brilliance that's similar to a round diamond. It s also very popular as its length can accentuate long, slender fingers.

Marquise-cut diamond looks beautiful set with round or pear-shaped side stones. Like oval shape, it also accentuates long and slender fingers.

Pear-shaped diamond is also called the "teardrop diamond" because of its shape. The pear-shaped diamond is a combination cut of the round and the marquise.

Carat:

Carat refers to the weight of a diamond.

Often mistaken with size, carat is actually a measure of weight.
One carat (or 1ct.) is equivalent to 200 milligrams. One carat can also be divided into 100 'points'. A .75 carat diamond is the same as a 75-point or 3/4 carat diamond.

Since larger diamonds are found less frequently in nature, a single 1-carat diamond will cost more than two 0.5-carat diamonds, assuming the color, clarity and cut are the same.

Cut and mounting can make a diamond appear larger or smaller than its actual weight.  A diamond's setting should always optimize its beauty.

Color:

Color refers to the degree to which a diamond is colorless.

Diamonds can be found in many colors, however white-colored or colorless diamonds remain the most popular.

Diamonds are graded on a color scale which ranges from D (colorless) to Z. Warmer colored diamonds (K Z) are particularly desirable when set in yellow gold. Icy winter white colored diamonds (D J) look stunning set in white gold or platinum.

Color differences are very subtle and it is very difficult to see the difference between an E and an F, for example. Therefore, colors are graded under controlled lighting conditions and are compared to a master set for accuracy.

Truly colorless stones, graded D are treasured for their rarity. Color, however, is subjective.  The Incomparable , one of the world's most beautiful diamonds, contains hints of brown, smokey amber and champagne colors.

Nature has also created diamonds in shades of orange, yellow, green, blue, and pink.  Red is the rarest of all. These diamonds are called colored fancies and are extremely rare and highly treasured.

Clarity:

Clarity refers to the presence of inclusions in a diamond.

Containing several birthmarks or inclusions, the 'Excelsior' is considered one on the world's most beautiful diamonds.

Most inclusions are not visible to the naked eye unless magnified.

To view inclusions, gemologists need to use a magnifying loupe that allows them to see a diamond at 10x its actual size.
Inclusions are ranked on a scale of perfection, known as clarity.  The clarity scale, ranging from F (Flawless) to Included (I), is based on the visibility of inclusions at a magnification of 10x. 

Even with a loupe, the birthmarks in the VVS (Very, Very Slightly Included) to VS (Very Slightly Included) range can be very difficult to find. It is only when a diamond is graded 'I' that it is possible to see the birthmarks with the naked eye.

The position of inclusions can affect the value of a diamond and you should consider the number, size, brightness, nature and position of inclusions.

Some inclusions can be hidden by a mounting, and have little effect on the beauty or brilliance of a stone. An inclusion in the middle or top of a diamond could impact the dispersion of light, sometimes making the diamond less brilliant.

There are very few flawless diamonds found in nature, making these diamonds much more valuable.

Tips to choose the right diamond for you

First, determine your budget. Your first consideration should be what you can comfortably afford and cherish - not what the diamond industry or a jeweler tells you (they are not unbiased in this matter).

Deciding on carat is really about striking a balance between size and quality. If you prefer larger jewelry items and are working within a budget, you can still find a larger diamond of excellent quality by selecting one which is graded slightly lower in terms of color and clarity.

Remember that slender fingers make small diamonds look bigger. If you have small fingers, a 1-carat diamond will look proportionately large and an even larger stone may appear stunningly big!

Think about what sort of setting will hold the diamond. You'll have to be sure that the setting you choose is made to fit the carat weight of your diamond.