The 4Cs
Cut, colour, clarity and carat — in the order that actually matters when you are looking at a stone rather than a certificate.
Cut
Cut in the context of diamonds encompasses the stone’s shape, facets, and polish. Occasionally, diamonds are cut to maximize weight, increasing their value in terms of carat weight. Expert diamond cutters possess the skill to cut diamonds strategically, concealing inclusions. The cut grade of a diamond directly influences its sparkle, with a higher grade indicating a more brilliant appearance. Diamond cuts can take various forms to complement different types of jewelry and cater to individual preferences.
Color
Diamonds naturally occur in various colors, and traditionally, the market has placed higher value on white diamonds. There exists a color grading scale, consisting of five groups with 23 letters, reflecting the market’s preference for colorless diamonds. While the most coveted diamonds are indeed colorless, it’s common for diamonds to exhibit a gray, brown, or yellow hue. Although color can influence the price, the right combination of the other 4Cs can ensure that a diamond remains the sparkly and brilliant stone of your dreams.
Clarity
A diamond is a thing of nature, and like any rock or mineral, diamonds can have flaws. The clarity of a diamond is determined by evaluating the blemishes or “inclusions” in a stone. Inclusions can appear as tiny white points, dark dots, cracks, or scratches. The fewer inclusions, the more valuable the stone. A flawless diamond with little to no imperfections is often desired, but only 2% of the world’s diamonds are actually flawless.
Carat
The official weight of one carat has undergone changes over the years, with each country once having its own measurement system. Today, one carat universally equals 200 milligrams across the globe. While many consider a higher carat weight more desirable, indicating rarer and larger diamonds, the carat alone does not serve as the sole determinant of a diamond’s value.