The Four C's

The 4 Cs are the factors that will determine the value of your diamond. Each of these areas will be graded on a professional diamond certificate. We encourage our customers to understand the 4 Cs, and use them as a diamond buying guide.

CARAT

The standardized measurement of diamonds, used industry wide, is the carat. Fractions of carats are points, each point being 0.01 of a carat. A diamond weighing 33 points is 0.33carats.

COLOR

Color can be recognized without magnification and is the factor that gives the first impression of your diamond. The Gemological Institute of America, GIA, uses a color grading scale that ranges from D to Z and beyond. D denotes a grade of diamond that is absolutely colorless and the most desirable. Most diamond jewelry is made of diamonds ranging in color from D to M.

CLARITY

The unique clarity characteristics in a diamond are much like a fingerprint and are classified as either blemishes or inclusions. While blemishes are located on the surface of the stone inclusions are actually enclosed within the diamond. The Gemological Institute of America, GIA, has created clarity grades that range from IF, internally flawless to I or Included.

• IF - Internally Flawless This grade, which is extremely rare, will not show any blemishes or inclusions under 10 power magnification.
• VVS1-VVS2 Very Very Slightly Included An expert will see minute inclusions with difficulty under 10 power magnification.
• VS1-VS2 Very Slightly Included contains minute inclusions noticeable with effort under 10 power magnification but not visible to the naked eye.
• SI1-SI2 Slightly Included contains inclusions noticeable under 10 power magnification. The grade will vary depending on the size and location of the inclusion.
• I - Included contains inclusions that are visible to the naked eye.

CUT

A well cut diamond is a diamond that sparkles because it is cut in a way that maximizes the amount of light that enters through the top facets and reflects back. All the proportions and angles must be calculated in the cutting process to maximize the value of the diamond.