Understanding the 4 C's: Your Guide to Choosing the Perfect Diamond

The cut of a diamond is arguably the most important factor as it directly influences the stone’s brilliance and sparkle. It’s essential to note that "cut" refers specifically to how well the diamond has been shaped and faceted, rather than its overall shape like round, princess, or oval. The quality of the cut is graded from Excellent to Poor, with an Excellent cut offering the most sparkle and optimal light performance. A well-cut diamond reflects light beautifully, showcasing its true fire and brilliance, making it a stunning focal point in any piece of jewelry.

Color is generally considered the second most important attribute when selecting a diamond, as it’s usually the most noticeable characteristic after size. A diamond’s color grade refers to the presence or lack of “tint,” specifically yellow in a white diamond.

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) grades diamond color on a scale from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown). Diamonds in the D-to-F range are “Colorless” and are the most rare and valuable, while G-to-H diamonds are “Near Colorless,” offering excellent value. I-to-J diamonds show “Noticeable Color,” which is subjective; for most shapes, J is where yellow becomes evident.

It's important to note that most diamonds appear colorless to the untrained eye, as they often contain slight tones of yellow, and you typically need to jump two color grades to see a noticeable difference. A colorless diamond shines with pure elegance, but don’t overlook the allure of slightly warmer hues that add character and enhance the charm of your jewelry, making it truly one-of-a-kind.

Clarity measures a diamond’s purity by assessing the presence of inclusions or blemishes. Rated from Flawless to Included, clarity gives each diamond its unique character. The grade depends on the number, size, and location of imperfections that occur naturally during diamond formation, and these tiny flaws are often microscopic, making them hardly visible to the naked eye. When choosing a diamond, it's essential to consider whether you’re comfortable with its imperfections. It's best to evaluate clarity with the naked eye first and then under magnification. Most diamonds, once set in jewelry, are viewed without a loop, so we encourage buyers to base their choices on how the diamond looks at first glance.

For a Brilliant cut diamond, we recommend a clarity grade of VS2 or higher, whereas for a Step cut diamond, VS1 or above is advisable. If a stone appears “eye clean,” meaning no imperfections are visible without magnification, you can find great value in an SI1 or even SI2 quality stone. Embrace the uniqueness of your diamond — just like you, no two are exactly the same! 

Carat weight measures a diamond's size, with one carat equal to 0.2 grams. While larger diamonds are often more impressive, keep in mind that a smaller diamond with an Exceptional cut can sparkle just as brightly, if not more so, than a larger diamond with a lower cut grade. Find a size that feels right for you and fits your style—that’s the true magic!

Each carat is divided into 100 “points,” so a half-carat diamond is called a “50 point diamond.” Generally, the price goes up with carat weight because larger diamonds are rarer and harder to find.

When choosing a diamond, use carat weight as a guideline, but don't let it be the only factor. The actual size a diamond appears also depends on its measurements and shape. Focus on what you love, and you’ll find the perfect piece!