The 4 C's of Diamond Grading: Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat

The accepted 4Cs that are used to judge the quality and value of a diamond are universally recognised. They are: That is Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat. However, with their help, anyone can find out what it takes to purchase a diamond and what to look for without being taken advantage of. We will take a closer look at the 4Cs of diamond grading to give a better sense of each of the factors and how they all tip the diamond’s value.

The 4Cs: A Detailed Exploration

The international standard for shopping for diamonds like the ones that Blanks presents is the 4 C grading system created by the Gemological Institute of America, or GIA. By knowing these criteria, buyers become able to make intelligent choices and appreciate the intricacies of diamond quality.  

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1. Cut: The Sparkle Factor

The cut is possibly the most significant of the 4Cs. Talked about in the diamond world but it doesn’t necessarily refer to the diamond’s shape (round princess etc.) but rather whether the facets work well with the light. A well cut diamond returns as much light as possible back into the eye maximizing brilliance, fire and scintillation.  

Brilliance: 

From their surface and interior, the white light reflected from the diamond. Maximum brilliance will be shone by a well cut diamond which will look bright and luminous.  

Fire (Dispersion): 

The dispersion of white light into spectral colors, the rainbow colors you see in a diamond, is this.  

Scintillation (Sparkle): 

These are the flashes of light and dark that are experienced, when the diamond, the light, the observer moves.

How Cut Affects Light Performance?:

Ideal/Excellent Cut: 

The diamonds are cut to precise proportions, symmetrical cut and polished so light can enter the diamond, reflect back internally and exit through the top allowing that light to maximize brilliance, fire and scintillation.

Shallow Cut: 

The bottom of the diamond is released, allowing light to get through, reducing brilliance.  

Deep Cut: 

The diamond also spends less time inside the spectroscope, which means light escapes through the sides of the diamond, as well as reduces brilliance.  

Cut Grading for Round Brilliant Diamonds:

GIA provides cut grades specifically for round brilliant diamonds:  

• Excellent (Ideal): Having high brilliance, fire, and scintillation, the highest grade.  

• Very Good: It’s got very good light performance, putting out excellent value.

• Good: They show good light performance, but brilliance and fire may be less.

• Fair/Poor: It has flaws in cut very visible which badly degrade lighting.

1. Cut Considerations for Fancy Shapes:

While much more subjective, cut grading for fancy shapes (princess, emerald, oval, marquise, pear, heart, etc.) is less standardized.  Like cut grades for round brilliants, there are no universally accepted cut grades. When choosing a fancy shape, consider:

• Symmetry: The tone and evenness of shape.

• Proportions: The overall appearance of the box is dependent on the length to width ratio.  

• Polish: The facets, however, are smooth, and this shapes brilliance.  

2. Color: The Absence of Color

Color in white/colorless diamonds means nothing is there. As a rule, the less color the better the grade and the higher the value.

GIA Color Grading Scale:

• The GIA color scale ranges from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown):  

• D, E, F (Colorless): The rarest and most valuable are those showing no trace of color.  

• G, H, I, J (Near Colorless): However, these have slight traces of color which are usually only detectable by a trained gemologist. They offer excellent value.

• K, L, M (Faint Yellow): They have a slight yellow tint that may be seen by the naked eye in large stones.  

• N-Z (Light Yellow to Yellow): They do have a tint that’s noticeable yellow or brown.

Fluorescence:

There are some diamonds that will glow – when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light – known as fluorescence. Although fluorescence is not part of the color grade, it can influence a diamond’s appearance. Strong fluorescence in some cases, can even turn a diamond milky or hazy.  

Fancy Colored Diamonds:

The natural colors of diamonds include pink, blue, yellow, green and red. They are graded on a separate scale, based on how intense and how it's colored the 'fancy colored diamond'. R4875 can be extremely rare and extremely valuable.  

3. Clarity: The Absence of Inclusions

It’s clarity that is in the absence of inclusions (internal imperfections) and blemishes (external imperfections).

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GIA Clarity Grading Scale:

• Flawless (FL): Under 10x magnification no inclusions or blemishes visible. Extremely rare.

• Internally Flawless (IF): No inclusions visible in excess of 10x magnification, however, may have surface blemishes.

• Very Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2): Under 10x magnification inclusions are minute and difficult to see on the rock.  

• Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2): Under 10x magnification they are visible, however they are not usually visible to the naked eye.

• Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2): Under 10x magnification they are visible inclusions, and may be seen with the naked eye in larger stones.

• Included (I1, I2, and I3): These inclusions can be seen to the naked eye and can leave the diamond less brilliant and durable.  

4. Carat: The Weight Measurement

Carat is the weight of a diamond, but not the size. One milligram is one hundredth of a gram, meaning one carat (the symbol is cwt or ct) is 200 milligrams (0.2 grams).  

Carat and Size:

Carat weight typically correlates with size, but actual size may vary due to the cut and proportions of the diamond. Sometimes a shallow cut diamond appears to be bigger than it is, a well cut diamond of equal carat weight.  

Carat and Price:

The higher the carat weight in a diamond, the exponential its price goes. A 1-carat diamond of similar quality to a 2 carat diamond will be almost three times as much.

The Interplay of the 4Cs:

Together the 4Cs determine the overall value of a diamond. For instance, a diamond of excellent cut, but low color and clarity grades will still be more valuable than a diamond of high color and clarity and poor cut.  

Choosing the Right Diamond:

What 4Cs should you consider when you buy a diamond? Diamond’s beauty is usually interpreted as the cut that influences the diamond’s beauty the most.

Next, you should think about colour and clarity and select the grades that appear eye clean with no colour in it to you. After, think about carat weight based on how big you want it to be and your budget. However, proceeding without consulting a reputable and certified gemologist or jeweler will not be a good decision making.

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