What Are the Four C’s?
It is likely you may have heard of the four C’s when looking into diamonds. These are the four visual qualities in diamonds that define their value and rarity; Colour, Cut, Clarity and Carat weight. Here we have a more in-depth look at each of the four C’s:
Cut
For some people, the cut of a diamond is one of its most important qualities. The way a diamond is cut affects the way that natural light will hit and bounce off of each facet, therefore affecting its overall brilliance. Each diamond cut/shape has attributes that affect its overall look, the round cut is a timeless and versatile shape with nearly 60 facets that maximize light return and sparkle, making it one of the most popular styles. For a twist on the classic round diamond, an oval cut is a very versatile and elegant option that creates the illusion of a larger stone. There are also step-cut diamonds, with less facets which offer more of a reflective shimmer than a sparkle, emerald cut being the most popular. There are many other cuts/shapes which have different impacts on the look of your diamond, such as Cushion, Princess, Pear, Marquise and more.
Colour
Interestingly, when grading diamond colour, it is actually colourlessness or absence of colour that is looked for. The diamond colour grading system starts at D, this being the whitest, purest colour you can find in a diamond, going all the way down to Z, which would show a very strong hue of yellow in a diamond. Many of the distinctions between colour on this system are very subtle and would not be noticed or seen by the naked eye, however the difference can make big changes in the quality and price of the diamond. It is important to get the help and knowledge of an expert when choosing the right diamond colour grade. Here at chapter79 we recommend choosing a colour between D and G, as if you are to go any lower than this, the natural hue of yellow will start to become noticeable. You can also get coloured diamonds, such as blues, pinks, browns and yellows. These have a separate grading system and are called fancy colours. Coloured diamonds are graded according to the increasing strength of their colour, the chart starts from faint and goes all the way to fancy deep. The most desirable colour grades for a fancy colour diamond are fancy vivid and fancy intense.
Clarity
Diamond clarity refers to the presence or absence of natural inclusions or blemishes within the stone. Inclusions refer to internal flaws, while blemishes refer to external flaws. A diamond's clarity is graded on a scale ranging from Flawless (FL) to Included (I3). The fewer inclusions or blemishes a diamond has, the higher its clarity grade and the more valuable it is. Clarity plays an essential role in determining the overall quality and brilliance of a diamond. It is worth noting that while flawless diamonds are considered the rarest and most valuable, the vast majority of diamonds on the market have some level of inclusions or blemishes.
Carat
Diamond carat weight is one of the most important factors to consider when buying a diamond. Carat weight refers to the weight of the diamond, and this weight is measured in metric carats. One carat is equal to 0.2 grams, so the larger the carat weight, the larger the diamond. It is important to note that carat weight does not directly impact the quality of the diamond, but rather its size. While a larger diamond may appear more impressive, it is not necessarily better in terms of quality. Other factors like cut, clarity and colour play a significant role in determining the overall value and quality of the diamond. It is also important to note that diamonds of the same carat weight can have different sizes depending on their depth and shape. Therefore, carat weight should be one of several factors taken into consideration when choosing a diamond.
In conclusion, understanding the four C's of diamonds - cut, colour, clarity, and carat weight - is essential when shopping for a diamond. Each of these factors significantly affects both the quality and price of the diamond. Ultimately, the decision on which diamond to purchase depends on personal preferences, budget, and the occasion it is being purchased for.