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The 4 C's of Diamonds


The 4C’s classify the value of diamonds. Every diamond’s price, rarity and beauty are determined by the combination of cut, color, clarity and carat weight.

 

Cut

 

Many people confuse cut with the shape of a diamond, such as round, square, pear, heart, marquise, and oval. Although a diamond's shape is certainly an important factor of its beauty, in this case Cut refers to the angles and proportions of a diamond. Although nature determines the other three characteristics, it takes a master diamond cutter to reveal a diamond’s true beauty.
Diamond Cut

A masterfully cut diamond reflects light from one facet to another and projects the light through the top of the stone, resulting in a fiery and brilliant display. Diamonds that are cut too deep or more commonly too shallow leak light through the sides or bottom, resulting in a diminished value.

 

Color

 

White-colored diamonds remain the most popular, even though diamonds are found in many shades, ranging from colorless to pale yellow. Diamonds can also be found in pink, blue, and green, though these colors are very rare. Diamonds are graded on a color scale implemented by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), which ranges from D, which is colorless, to Z, which is light yellow. Color differences can be so subtle that diamond colors are graded under controlled lighting conditions and are compared to a master set. Truly colorless diamonds are treasured for their rarity. The staff at Crownover Jewelers can show you an array of color grades next to each other to help you determine your color preference.

Clarity

 

Each diamond is as individual as the person who wears it. Naturally occurring inclusions such as minerals or fractures are created while diamonds are formed in the earth. Master IJO Jewelers use magnification to view diamonds at 10x their actual size so these tiny inclusions are more easily seen.
Diamond Grading Scale

A diamond with an inclusion or fracture in the middle or the top can impact the dispersion of light, which will make the diamond less brilliant and reduce its value. Inclusions are measured on a scale of perfection, known as clarity, which was established by the GIA. The greater a diamond’s clarity, the more valuable it is.

 

 

Carat Weight

 

Carat is the measure of the diamond's weight rather than the diamond's size. One full carat is equal to 100 points and .200 grams (200 milligrams). A ¾ carat diamond is the same as 75 points, or .75 ct. Larger diamonds are more rare and in more demand than smaller diamonds of the same quality. A piece of jewelry containing a one carat diamond is nearly always more expensive than a piece of jewelry containing multiple diamonds of similar quality, but smaller carat weight. The cut and the mounting can make a diamond appear larger than its actual weight. At Crownover Jewelers our experienced staff can help you find the right diamond and the perfect mounting to optimize its beauty.
Diamond color scale Diamond Color Scale
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