The 4 C's

💎 The 4 C’s of Diamonds — A Guide to True Brilliance

 

Cut
The cut determines how well a diamond interacts with light — it is the key to sparkle, fire, and brilliance. A masterfully cut diamond reflects light from every angle.

Cut Grades:

  • Ideal – Exceptional symmetry, proportion, and polish; maximum brilliance.
  • Excellent – Superior craftsmanship with outstanding light return.
  • Very Good – High-quality cut with minimal light leakage.
  • Good – Attractive and balanced, but less brilliance.
  • Fair/Poor – Noticeable loss of sparkle due to proportion issues.

Color
Color measures a diamond’s lack of color. The less color present, the rarer and more valuable the stone. Even subtle differences can affect price and appearance.

Color Grades (D–Z):

  • D–F – Colorless: icy, pure brilliance. Premium-grade.
  • G–J – Near Colorless: a hint of warmth, still bright and beautiful.
  • K–M – Faint Color: slight yellow or brown visible to the naked eye.
  • N–Z – Noticeable color, typically less sought after.

Clarity
Clarity reflects the purity of the stone — how free it is from natural inclusions and surface blemishes. Most are invisible without magnification.

Clarity Grades:

  • FL (Flawless) – No inclusions or blemishes under 10x magnification.
  • IF (Internally Flawless) – No inclusions; only minute surface imperfections.
  • VVS1 & VVS2 (Very, Very Slightly Included) – Tiny inclusions, extremely difficult to detect.
  • VS1 & VS2 (Very Slightly Included) – Minor inclusions, difficult to see without magnification.
  • SI1 & SI2 (Slightly Included) – Noticeable inclusions under magnification, often eye-clean.
  • I1, I2 & I3 (Included) – Visible inclusions, can affect brilliance and durability.

Carat Weight
Carat refers to the diamond’s weight, not size — though larger stones tend to face up bigger and make a bolder statement. One carat equals 200 milligrams.

Popular Ranges:

  • 0.25–0.50 ct – Dainty and delicate, ideal for minimalist styles.
  • 0.75–1.25 ct – Classic engagement size with balance and presence.
  • 1.50–2.50 ct – Luxurious and eye-catching.
  • 3.00 ct+ – Rare, bold, and undeniably statement-making.