The 4 Cs of Diamonds: What You Need to Know Before Buying

In the past, diamonds were not evaluated in accordance with a universal standard. Traders and jewelers used to say ‘river’ or ‘water’ to describe the most colorless diamonds. And the word ‘Cape’ was used to describe the light yellow diamonds from the ‘Cape of Good Hope’ region of South Africa. Moreover, "made well" or "made poorly" terms were used to describe the cut of a diamond. 

Then, in the 1940s, GIA founder Robert M. Shipley created the term 4 Cs of Diamond to help his students remember the 4 characteristics of diamond, i.e., color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. Today, diamond 4 Cs is a universally used method to describe the diamond’s quality. So this was the history of the 4 Cs of Diamond. 

So, you’re looking for a sparkling diamond for you. Making a diamond choice depends on the understanding of the 4 Cs of diamonds - cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. The 4 Cs impact the diamond’s quality. This blog is going to be your diamond buying guide.

Keep reading…

4 Cs of Diamond: Your Ultimate Diamond Buying Guide

A basic understanding of the diamond 4 Cs is crucial to finding the perfect diamond. Then only you’ll be able to buy the high-quality, sparkling diamond. Let’s understand every 4 Cs of diamonds: 

Cut

The diamond cut is probably the most important 4 Cs of diamond. It gives the stone a ‘wow’ factor and makes it visually appealing. The diamond cut shows how well the stone has been cut, shaped, and faceted. This can be determined when you reflect light onto the diamond from above. It is graded on a scale from Excellent to Poor: 

Key Points: 

• Excellent Cut: Under this grade, when the light falls on the diamond, it reflects almost all light that enters, resulting in maximum brilliance. 
• Very Good Cut: In this grade, the diamond reflects most of the light. It offers great sparkle at a slightly lower price. 
• Good Cut: This diamond cut reflects a good amount of light, but not as much as higher grades. 
• Fair & Poor Cut: This is not a good grade. Under this grade, the diamond reflects minimal light. 

With an excellent cut, the diamond looks appealing. So, consider examining its cut before buying. 

At NOOI Jewelry, we only sell ‘Excellent’ and ‘Very good’ cut grade diamond rings. Rest assured that the proportions of the diamond ring you buy will be either great or very close to being great. 

Click and explore. 

Color

 

The second foremost 4 Cs of diamond is Color. In diamonds, the color refers to the absence of color. The less color a diamond has, the higher its grade. Typically, this color ranges from colorless icy white to light yellow. Let’s distinguish them: 

Key Points: 

• D-F (Colorless): D-F range diamonds are very rare and expensive. They are considered the best, high-quality diamonds with no detectable color.
• G-J (Near Colorless): G-J range diamonds have a slight color. But normal people can not identify this, only expert, trained jewelers can do it. 
• K-M (Faint Color): K-M range diamonds have a color tint that can be noticed. But still, these diamonds look beautiful. 
• N-Z (Light Color): Obvious color. Usually, N-Z diamonds are not desirable for engagement rings but can be great for other jewelry. 

At NOOI we normally sell on a range G range but we are always open to source any other colour requested by clients. Rest assured that the diamond ring you receive will be stunning. Click and explore. 

Clarity

Diamond clarity is the third most important 4 Cs of diamond. Clarity is the flawless of a diamond. It is basically the internal or external imperfections commonly known as inclusions and blemishes. A higher clarity grade corresponds to fewer imperfections. 

The GIA diamond clarity scale includes eleven grades, from Flawless to Included.

At NOOI Jewelry, we only sell VS clarity diamond rings. Click and explore. 

Carat Weight

The last of the 4 Cs of diamond is Carat. Many people assume that a carat is the size of a diamond. But no, carat refers to the total weight of the diamond. One carat equals 200 milligrams. 

A diamond ring with a high-carat weight is not necessary to look big. In fact, 2 diamonds with the same carat weight may look different in size. 

A diamond's value is determined by 4 Cs other than only carat weight. Carat, however, can have a significant impact on a diamond's quality. But when paired with the other 4 Cs of diamonds, carat can greatly affect the diamond's quality and value. 

At NOOI Jewelry, we only sell 0.3-carat diamond rings with a GIA certificate. To buy, click here. 

The Sum Up…

Understanding the 4 Cs of diamonds—Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat Weight will empower you to make an informed decision when buying a diamond. 

Each C plays a crucial role in determining the beauty and value of the stone. By prioritizing what matters most to you, you can find the perfect diamond.