Choosing The Perfect Stone: The Four Cs of Diamonds Explained
If you have ever looked into purchasing a diamond, you have no doubt wondered ‘what are the four Cs of diamonds?’. These are the qualities that diamond graders take into consideration when assessing the quality of a diamond: they stand for carat, cut, colour and clarity. When you start diving into the 4 Cs of diamonds, things can start to get technical and feel overwhelming. So if you are curious about how to choose a diamond, we’re here to break down what you really need to know, and share some insights that some diamond sellers probably wish you didn’t know!
What is a diamond carat?
Probably one of the most common questions we are asked when discussing diamond grading with our clients is ‘what is a diamond carat?’ It also happens to be the easiest one to answer. It’s the weight of the stone, not the measurement across the top of the diamond – apples are measured in grams (or ounces, depending on where you come from), and diamonds are measured in carats. Simple.
What is diamond cut grading?
Cut is the shape that a rough diamond is, well, cut into. Generally, a good gem cutter will choose the shape of a stone to maximise the qualities of the diamond, and minimise visible imperfections. We’re often asked ‘what is the best diamond cut?’ but the reality is there are myriad shapes to choose from – some traditional, like the round or emerald cut, some ornate like cushion or pear cut, and others more modern like the princess or radiant cut, so the choice is well and truly yours! The shape is important when you’re considering what style of ring you’re looking for, and it can affect the value of the stone.
What is diamond colour grading?
Here’s where things start to get a bit technical. Typically, when we think of a diamond, we think of clear, or ‘white’ diamonds. In fact, when it comes to diamond colour grading, an alphabetical scale is used to rate the colourlessness of a diamond from colourless, through to colours that can range from yellow to almost ruby-red (called fancy coloured diamonds). Colour in a stone doesn’t necessarily mean it is a bad stone – it all comes down to what you’re looking for. The ideal diamond colour grade ultimately boils down to personal taste. Some people prefer the warmth of a slightly yellow diamond, while others prefer the icy white purity of a colourless stone.
What is diamond clarity?
When it comes to diamond clarity grading, natural diamonds will nearly always have tiny cracks or internal variations in clarity, known in the industry as inclusions. Diamond graders will rate diamond clarity on a scale from flawless to included, all under the magnification of 10. What inclusions do in lower grades of diamond clarity is change the way the light refracts through the stone, which can affect the quality of its sparkle. Similarly, if you’re asking ‘what is the best diamond clarity?’ it is worth considering that in reality, inclusions may not have a huge impact, depending on their size and location within the cut – so a diamond with a lower clarity rating can, in fact, still be beautifully sparkly.
How much do the four Cs of diamonds really matter?
In the end, diamond grading is a bit like Olympic diving: it’s a score based on one professional’s opinion, not a fact set in stone. Pun intended.
During diamond grading, the stones are reviewed under artificial lighting conditions, using magnification equipment, and diamond graders make a judgement call based on their professional experience.
There is a lot of information that is often left out of a grading certificate. For example, whether there’s a grey-brown tinge to the stone that makes a diamond appear darker, or whether the diamond has a ‘milky’ character that indicates a lack of lustre.
In addition, taste in diamonds changes over time. Once, yellow diamonds were considered tainted and poor quality, but thanks to a clever marketing campaign that rebranded them as ‘champagne’ diamonds, they are now considered highly desirable.
While a diamond grading certificate can provide a helpful guide to value, ultimately the most important test is holding the stone in your hands, and looking at it under normal lighting conditions. Ask yourself, does the size seem right? How will it look in my chosen setting? Does it have a sparkle that catches the eye? If it looks good to you, then it’s the right stone for you.
Let Simon Wright guide you through how to choose a diamond
You have enough to think about when you’re planning a proposal. Here at Simon Wright Jewellery we only ever hand-select the stones we offer to our clients, so we are always happy with the quality of what we’re showing you. We invite you to come into our studio and see our selection of diamonds in person, to give you confidence in the choice you’re making when considering the 4 Cs of diamonds with a view to choosing a diamond ring for your significant other.
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