The Four Cs of Diamonds

The four Cs of diamonds are some of the most important criteria to consider when buying a diamond. The four Cs stand for Cut, Clarity, Colour, and Carat, and they provide an objective measure of a diamond’s quality and value.

• Cut: The cut of a diamond is its most important attribute, as it is the single factor that determines the diamond’s sparkle and brilliance. The better a diamond is cut, the greater the ability to reflect and refract light. A diamond’s cut is graded on a scale from Excellent to Poor, and the better the cut, the more valuable the diamond.

• Clarity: Clarity measures the number and size of inclusions in a diamond, which are internal flaws that can diminish its beauty. The clarity of a diamond is rated on a scale from flawless (FL) – which are extremely rare and very expensive, to heavily included (I3) – blemishes that may be visible to the naked eye. The lower the number of inclusions in a diamond, the rarer and blemish-free, the more valuable it is.

• Colour: Colour is a measure of a diamond’s hue, ranging from colourless (D) to noticeable colour (Z). Since diamonds are mined from the ground, they sometimes have yellow, brown or grey colours from the dirt in the earth. The less saturated (coloured) a diamond, the clearer it is of dirt and blemishes, the whiter and icier the colour, and therefore the greater the value. Diamonds with little or no colour are more valuable than those with more colour.

• Carat: Carat (ct.) is a universal measure of a diamond’s weight, not its size. You cannot actually see carat weight with the naked eye. Several factors affect the weight of a stone, such as density, the formulation of the jewel, and the shape. The heavier the diamond, the higher its carat weight and the more valuable it is.

When shopping for a diamond, it is important to look at each of the four Cs to ensure that you are getting a quality stone for the best value. A diamond that has an excellent cut, flawless clarity, no colour, and a high carat weight will be the most valuable and have the most beautiful sparkle.