Diamond Education - The 4Cs Guide
Understanding Diamond Quality
Learn about the 4Cs — Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat — to make an informed decision on your perfect diamond.
💎 Cut
The Most Important Factor for Brilliance
Cut determines how well a diamond interacts with light. A well-cut diamond will have exceptional brilliance, fire, and sparkle.
Excellent / Ideal
Maximum brilliance and fire. Light reflects perfectly through the top of the diamond.
Our RecommendationVery Good
Nearly as brilliant as Excellent cut. Excellent value choice.
Good
Reflects much of the light. Good balance of size and quality.
🎨 Color
From Colorless to Warm Tones
Diamond color is graded from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow). The less color, the rarer and more valuable.
D - F: Colorless
The rarest and most valuable. No visible color.
G - H: Near Colorless
Exceptional value. Color difficult to detect unless compared side-by-side.
Best ValueI - J: Near Colorless
Slight warmth. Excellent value, especially in yellow gold settings.
🔍 Clarity
Nature's Fingerprints
Clarity measures internal characteristics (inclusions) and surface irregularities (blemishes). Most are invisible to the naked eye.
FL / IF
Flawless / Internally Flawless. Extremely rare.
VVS1 / VVS2
Very, Very Slightly Included. Excellent for perfectionists.
VS1 / VS2
Very Slightly Included. Eye-clean. Outstanding value.
Our RecommendationSI1 / SI2
Slightly Included. SI1 often eye-clean; great budget option.
⚖️ Carat
Size and Weight
One carat equals 200 milligrams. Larger diamonds are rarer, so price increases exponentially with carat weight.
0.50 ct
1.00 ct
2.00 ct
Our Recommendations
Best Value
G-H Color, VS2-SI1 Clarity, Excellent Cut
Premium Choice
D-F Color, VVS-VS1 Clarity, Excellent Cut
Budget Smart
I-J Color, SI1-SI2 Clarity, Very Good Cut
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