The 4 C’s of diamonds
One of the most important things to know, when buying a diamond, is if the diamond is a good diamond.
You can simply rely on the jeweler you are working with. Or you can become educated about diamonds.
There are 4 C’s of diamonds: clarity, color, cut, and carat weight.
CLARITY: This refers to the clearness of the diamond. It also refers to the purity of the diamond. Clarity is measured by grades. The clarity of a diamond is determined by the number of internal flaws (inclusions) and external flaws (blemishes). The clearer the diamond, the more expensive the diamond tends to be. Perfect diamonds can be smaller and have the sparkle of larger diamonds. The clarity scale is below:
| Symbol | Meaning | Definition |
| F | Flawless | Free from all inclusions or blemishes. |
| IF | Internally Flawless | No inclusions visible at 10x magnification. |
| VVS1 | Very Very Slightly Included #1 | Inclusions that are extremely difficult to locate at 10x. |
| VVS2 | Very Very Slightly Included #2 | Inclusions that are very difficult to locate at 10x. |
| VS1 | Very Slightly Included #1 | Minor inclusions that are difficult to locate at 10x. |
| VS2 | Very Slightly Included #2 | Minor inclusions that are somewhat difficult to locate at 10x. |
| SI1 | Slightly Included #1 | Noticeable inclusions that are easy to locate at 10x. |
| Sl2 | Slightly Included #2 | Noticeable inclusion that are very easy to locate at 10x. |
| I1 | Included #1 | Obvious inclusions. Somewhat easy to locate with the unaided eye. |
| I2 | Included #2 | Obvious inclusions. Easy to locate with the unaided eye. |
| I3 | Included #3 | Obvious inclusions. Very easy to locate with the unaided eye. |
COLOR: This refers to the color of the diamond, or certain imperfections in the diamond. Diamonds can range from clear to a yellow. There are also more expensive diamonds in rare colors like pink, blue and green. Diamond colors can be fixed, but the natural state of the diamond and if it has been fixed, must be disclosed prior to the sale of the diamond. If you buy a treated diamond, there is the risk that the original color will return over time as the fixes are not permanent. The color scale is measured in letters and is listed below:
| GIA | COLOR – COMMERCIAL GRADING |
| D E F G H I |
Colorless (White) |
| J K L |
Near Colorless (White) |
| M | Faint Yellow |
| N,O,P,Q,R | Very Light Yellow |
| S,T,U,V, W,X,Y,Z |
Light Yellow |
CUT: The cut of a diamond is the only thing determined by man, not nature. It refers to the proportions, finish, symmetry and polish of a diamond. All of these factors determine how much fire (sparkle) and brilliance a diamond has. The cut of a diamond is based on a round diamond, however the table remains the same for other shapes of diamonds as well. The cut is listed on a the diamond’s evaluation, and it isn’t important to know how the percentages are calculated, you merely need to know what they are. The percentages for the various cuts are listed below:
|
“Premium Cut” |
“Tolkowsky Ideal Cut” |
“Excellent Ideal Cut” |
|
| Total Depth |
58.8% – 63.8% |
58.0% – 63.8% |
59.2% – 62.4% |
| Table Size |
58.0 – 61.0% |
53.0% – 58.0% |
52.5% – 58.4% |
| Crown Height |
13.0% – 17.0% |
14.2% – 16.2% |
————– |
| Crown Angle |
32.7° – 36.3° |
33.7° – 35.8° |
32.5° – 35.4° |
| Pavilion Depth |
41.7% – 45.0% |
42.2% – 43.8% |
41.5% – 44.4% |
CARAT: This refers to the unit of weight for a diamond. The larger the stone, the more expensive it will be because the larger stones are more rare. One carat is equal to 0.20 grams. You can buy two half-carat diamonds for less than a 1 carat diamond because the half-carat diamonds weigh less.
Figuring out how these 4 C’s play into your diamond purchase is difficult. Most women don’t want a small stone, but most would also prefer to have a clear, well cut and unblemished stone than a larger imperfect stone. Balance your needs carefully, as the more “perfect” a stone is, the more expensive the stone becomes.
Tags: buying a diamond, carat, clarity, color, cut, diamonds, Engagement Rings, the 4 C's of diamonds, Wedding Rings
