Jewelry & Watch Education / Diamond & Engagement Ring Education / The 4 C’s

Discover the 4Cs of diamonds

When looking to buy a wedding or engagement ring, it is important that you know how to choose the perfect diamond. Scroll for the four categories (or characteristics) to consider when making your precious purchase.
Cut
Cut determines how well the diamond’s facets reflect light, i.e., the sparkle factor. Ideal-cut diamonds allow light to reflect through the top for the most brilliant twinkle. If the cut’s too shallow or too deep, light seeps out from the bottom or sides, detracting from the diamond’s overall beauty. Excellent-cut diamonds have an even proportion and amount of bright and dark spots, making it one of the top grades of diamond cuts. Very-good-cut diamonds have slightly more dark spots, usually due to a combination of a higher crown height (the upper section of the stone with a flat top) and long lower-girdle facets (the bottom section of the stone that ends in a point). Good-cut diamonds often have a shallow or low crown height, or shallow pavilion angle in the lower facets, which reduces the amount of sparkle the stone produces.
Clarity
Flawless diamonds (FL) & internally flawless diamonds (I1) Flawless or internally flawless graded stones, with no internal or external imperfections, are super-rare among all diamonds. (Very) very slightly included diamonds (VVS, VS1, VS2) Very, very slightly included or very slightly included means they typically have minuscule imperfections. They require a microscope to find any hint of flaws, which are usually not visible to the naked eye. Slightly included diamonds (SI1, SI2) Slightly included means they have imperfections (like clouds or knots) visible only under close magnification or when viewed from the side. Included diamonds (I1) & heavily included diamonds (I2, I3) These range from having minor imperfections that are visible to the naked eye to more obvious imperfections that are easily spotted.
Carat
What is a carat? A diamond’s size is referred to by its carat weight, which is a unit of measurement equal to 200 milligrams. One carat is divided into 100 points, so a 50-point diamond weighs 0.50 carats. Total carat weight (ct. t.w.) refers to the total weight of all the diamonds featured in the ring. Remember, all diamond weights are approximate and they may vary by .05 carats. How does the carat weight affect the price? Carat size is the most recognizable of the 4Cs, all of which determine the price of a diamond ring. Obviously, larger diamonds will cost more than smaller diamonds—but how much more? The price increases exponentially, so a 2-carat diamond ring will generally be more than double the cost of a 1-carat diamond ring. What is the size of a one-carat diamond ring? The approximate size of a 1-carat round-cut diamond ring is 6.5 mm (0.25 inches). You would expect that a 2-carat round-cut diamond ring would be twice as big, but it’s approximately 8.2 mm (0.32 inches).
Color
If you want your diamond ring to be a sparkling stunner, its color will definitely be a factor. Not all diamonds are white. What is the best color for a diamond? The lack of color determines the quality of a diamond. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) issues grades for diamond color on a scale from D (colorless) to Z (noticeable yellow or brown tones). Blindingly beautiful, the sparkle of a colorless diamond is what we all wish for in a ring. What are colored diamonds? Diamonds that are not white and have a Z+ grade are known as colored diamonds. Some of your favorite celebrities have rocked pink and yellow diamond engagement rings, popularizing this trend. If you want to truly break the mold, go for colored diamonds in black, blue, or chocolate by Le Vian® and Effy®.
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