Diamonds 101

The most common factors that play into the value of a diamond are the "4 C's". These "C's" respectively stand for Carat, Color, Clarity and Cut. 

Below, you will find detailed information on the 4 C's that will help you in making the best decision in purchasing your diamond and engagement ring.

Our staff of graduate gemologists understand the slight variables that can mean large differences in value and look at each diamond to ensure that each factor of the diamond is a great example of its attributes. 

Carat Weight

The weight of a diamond is measured in carats, not to be confused with karat which describes purity of gold.

Carats are a metric form of measurement and are similar to other measurements broken down into one hundred “points” for every one-carat.

Although carat weight does define various size ranges, the same carat weight diamonds can appear smaller or larger depending on the cut of the diamond, and whether or not the diamonds dimensions are cut proportionally to its weight.

Values of diamonds are assigned to certain weight ranges and the slightest of differences in weight can make a considerable difference. Precision instruments are used to measure diamond weight and weight is generally described to the hundredth of a carat in decimals. For example a 1.53-carat diamond would be described as “one point five three” or “one fifty three”

(above illustration is not to scale)

Diamond Color

In regard to the color of a diamond, less is more. 

Diamonds are color graded on a scale defined by GIA (Gemological Institute of America) on an alphabetical scale starting at D color or colorless, up to Z color or light yellow or brown, where value is based on how little color a diamond exhibits. (An exception for fancy colored diamonds, such as blue and pink, exists where stronger color is more valuable.)

Diamond color is graded in controlled environments under specific lighting and by comparing diamonds to stones of know color grades. Although each diamond color grade is specifically defined, the variations appear very subtle to the untrained eye, while the effect of color can be more than subtle on the value of a diamond.

Diamond Clarity

While natural diamonds are not formed in sterile environments they can inherently contain impurities that can become visible under magnification. Clarity is described as the amount of and placement of inclusions (internal characteristics) within or blemishes (external characteristics) on the surface of a diamond, as viewed under 10x magnification.

Similarly to the color of a diamond, less is more when referring to the number of imperfections that a diamond contains, where higher values result from an absence of inclusions and blemishes.

Clarity grades are divided into 11 separate categories ranging from;

Flawless (FL), where no blemishes or inclusions are visible to a trained eye under 10x magnification, to Internally Flawless (IF), to Very Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2), to Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2), to Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2), and finally to Included (I1, I2, I3), where inclusions are obvious to the trained eye under 10x magnification and occasionally to the naked eye.

DIAMOND CUT

While commonly interpreted as the particular shape of a diamond, a diamond’s cut is actually the factor that determines the brilliance, fire and sparkle that result from the light return of a faceted diamond.

Diamond cutting is an extremely precision oriented craft that makes slight changes in angle and depth of each facet in order to reveal the highest levels of brilliance and sparkle from a particular diamond.

As one of the hardest factors to quantify, cut is often overlooked although it has a large effect on value due to its ability to create life from within a diamond or to inversely leave a diamond dull and unattractive.

The proportions of a diamond combine to affect the levels of brilliance, or light reflected from the diamond, scintillation or sparkle when the diamond is moved in direct light, and fire or dispersion of light into the colors of the rainbow. The various combinations of proportions can lend to a move lively diamond and therefore lead to a higher value for that particular diamond in relation to one of the same cart, color and clarity that may be less lively.