The 4-C’s… What You Need to Know
Posted By Clarkson Jewelers on July 12, 2010
CUT: The “cut” of a diamond refers to the actual cutting of the diamond. Cut is arguably the most important of the C’s due to its direct correlation to the sparkle and brilliance of the diamond. High quality diamonds are cut so that when light enters the top (table), it is reflected around the cone-shaped bottom and projected back through the top, delivering a strong spectral sparkle. A poorly cut stone’s proportions will allow light to escape out of the bottom making the diamond appear dull and lifeless.
CLARITY: Clarity is just as it sounds. It refers to the internal and external characteristics of the diamond. In simple terms, the fewer the inclusions or blemishes, the more desirable the diamond (inclusions are inside the diamond, and blemishes are on the outside). A high-powered microscope is necessary to locate most of these tiny characteristics. Keep in mind, a highly included diamond is not only cosmetically less desirable, but also is more susceptible to breakage.
COLOR: Color for white diamonds are rated on a alphabetical scale ranging from D (colorless and exceedingly rare) to Z (light yellow). Most diamonds possess some degree of yellow or brown. Small and nearly undetectable differences in color can make a substantial difference in a diamond’s cost. I general, the more colorless the diamond, the greater its cost. A well-cut diamond, especially the round brilliant, will utilize refraction to disguise some degrees of coloration.
CARAT: Possibly the easiest of the 4-C’s to determine. Carats are established by weighing a loose diamond on a calibrated scale. A carat is equal to 1/5 of a gram. As diamonds increase in size, their cost tends to increase exponentially. For instance, a one-carat diamond will cost considerably more than twice as much as a half-carat stone of the same quality. Keep this in mind as you’re looking for the perfect stone in regards to size.
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