Understanding Diamond "4 C's"

Understanding Diamond "4 C's"

Carat Weight
Clarity
Color
Cut

The "4 C's" really are important.


Carat
Diamond Carat Weight

Diamonds are sold by the carat. One carat = 0.20 grams, or 1/5 th of a gram. Wholesale prices are normally quoted per carat, not by the gem. It is a quick easy reference for comparison.

Certain diamond sizes usually command higher prices per carat ... break points, so to speak. A diamond of .5 or .51 carats will be worth more per carat than an equal quality stone of .49 carats. Other break points are 1 carat, 2 carats, etc ... and prices increase exponentially.

Clarity

Diamond Clarity
Clarity describes the absence or presence of included crystals, voids, cracks, fissures, etc. which might be present in a diamond; observable by a trained individual with normal eyesight while using a 10X loupe. The size, location, distraction and number of the characteristics are compared to a set of established industry standards.



Color

Color, for non-fancy diamonds; white, or colorless is considered ideal. Color is determined using a master set of stones with color grades established by a standards lab. Diamonds are color-graded pavilion up ... upside down, so to speak.



Grading starts with D being considered colorless. The variations between D and E are so minor that only an expert with good color balanced eyesight and with proper lighting in a correct environment can see the gradation.

Diamond color grades tend to be stated in sets of 3. D-E-F is the whitest grade.

Yellow and brown are considered least desirable, with gray next and blue better.

Color grading should never be attempted on a diamond in a mounting since metal colors; or any hidden color-aids cannot be eliminated.

Example: the slightest mark on the girdle of a diamond with a blue felt tip pen can mask yellow and improve the apparent color grade of the diamond significantly.

Diamond Cut

Cut may be the most important of the C factors. A well fashioned diamond should be symmetrical, proportioned to take advantage of the optical properties of diamond, and polished to a high quality standard.

Symmetry, either 2 way symmetry (heart, pear); or 4 way symmetry (round, oval, emerald, marquise, cushion, radiant) is a crucial factor in displaying the beauty of a diamond.

Diamond Proportion

Proportion, the rewsult of good cutting, makes a diamond do what it is supposed to do; direct the maximum amount of light entering the gem to the eye of the observer.

Diamond characteristics are determined by nature and physics. Significant deviation from certain angular proportions will result in a less appealing gem.

Spread = dead. Light will leak out the pavilion and dull the gem's appearance.

Facet junctions should be crisp, not "rolled".

Facet corners should meet perfectly.

Girdle should be straight rather than wavy

Girdle should not be overly thin or could reduce the diamond's durability.

Overly Thick girdles will result in smaller appearing diamond for the same carat weight

A large culet may be a way of reducing color.