4 Cs of Diamonds

This crash course in diamond buying will help you understand how quality diamonds are valued and priced — and help you decide what’s most important to you in a diamond. The easiest way to explain diamonds is using the four Cs: cut, color, clarity, and carat.

Cut
Of all the 4 Cs, cut has the greatest effect on a diamond’s beauty.  In determining the quality of the cut, the grader evaluates the cutter’s skill in the fashioning of the diamond; technology assesses the diamond’s light performance. The more precise the cut, the more captivating the diamond is to the eye.

Color
Gem-quality diamonds occur in many hues.  In the range from colorless to light yellow or light brown, diamonds are compared to Master Color-Comparison Diamonds under controlled conditions. Colorless diamonds are the rarest. Other natural colors are known as fancy – their color grading is unique.

Clarity
Diamonds can have internal characteristics known as inclusions or external characteristics known as blemishes. When grading clarity, the diamond grading professional uses magnification and specific lighting and considers the effect these characteristics have on the diamonds appearance and/or durability. Diamonds without inclusions or blemishes are rare; however, most characteristics can only be seen with magnification. 

Carat
The carat is the diamond’s physical weight measured in metric carats. One carat equals 1/5 gram and is subdivided into 100 points. Carat weight is the most objective of the 4 Cs. It involves no estimates, comparisons or judgments. 

The Fifth C: Confidence
When you shop smart — with an American Gem Society’s top jewelers — you will feel confident in your decision. You know that the jeweler is qualified to describe the characteristics of your diamond, so you could make the choice that is right for you.

Finding quality diamonds is easy with American Gem Society! Find a certified jeweler near you:

• US Jewelry Stores
  
• Canadian Jewelry Stores