The 4Cs of Diamonds
Every diamond is graded on four universal criteria — Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat. Understanding all four helps you find the best stone at the best price.
Cut
Cut is the most important of the 4Cs — it determines how much a diamond sparkles. A well-cut stone reflects light brilliantly regardless of its colour or clarity grade. A poor cut makes even a flawless diamond look dull.
Colour
Diamond colour is graded from D (completely colourless) to Z (light yellow or brown). The less colour, the rarer and more valuable the stone. In reality, D–F differences are invisible to the naked eye — G–J offer the best value.
Clarity
Clarity measures the presence of natural internal characteristics (inclusions) and surface blemishes. Most inclusions are microscopic and invisible to the naked eye. VS1–VS2 and SI1 offer excellent eye-clean stones at the best price.
Carat
Carat is the unit of weight for diamonds — 1 carat equals 0.2 grams. Larger diamonds are rarer, so price increases disproportionately with carat weight. A 0.90ct stone at Excellent cut often looks identical to 1.00ct — at 15–20% less.
| The C | Budget Choice | Best Value | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cut | Very Good | Excellent | Ideal |
| Colour | I–J | G–H | D–F |
| Clarity | SI1 | VS2 | VVS1–IF |
| Carat | 0.70–0.89ct | 0.90–0.99ct | 1.00ct+ |