a guide to the diamond's 4Cs
We are here to guide you in choosing the perfect diamond for such a big step in your life. The criteria detailed below are not an exhaustive list and they should be considered together with charm and personal taste.
A diamond is defined by 4 main characteristics which contribute to determine its value. The famous “4Cs” are referring to the Cut, Carat, Color and Clarity. These indications are present on the gemological certificate that must accompany your diamond. This certificate is a proof of authenticity and provides the identity and description of the stone. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is the most popular laboratory issuing diamond certificates, however there are many others providing this service such as Gubelin and SSEF.
Bespoke Oval-cut Diamond Ring
by Eline Ewbank
Cut
The cut of a diamond reflects the shape given to the stone, its cutting style and its facets. The facets are the tiny surfaces of the diamond that allow the light to be reflected and refracted which contribute to the stone’s brilliance, scintillation and fire.
The most popular cut is “brilliant” which describes a round-shape diamond counting 57-58 facets. However, it exists a numerous number of cuts that are called “fancy-cuts” such as: oval, emerald, cushion, pear, heart, marquise and princess.
The shape does not have a real impact on the stone’s value, what should be considered is the cutting precision with the proportions, symmetry and polish of the stone, which are graded on the diamond certificate from "Excellent" to "Poor".
The Most Popular Diamond Cuts
Carat
The weight of a diamond is measured in “carats”, 1 carat is equal to 0.200 gr. Larger diamonds are rare, in consequence, the value isn’t linear, it is exponential. This is why a 2-carat stone will cost more than the double of a 1-carat diamond.
Be careful, don’t confuse “carat” with “karat”, the latter is the measure for the gold purity which you will have to consider for the mounting of the ring.
Color
Most diamonds are colored even if it isn’t necessarily obvious to the naked-eye. Indeed, they tend to present a light to strong yellow-color. The grading is referred with alphabet letters, starting from “D” being colorless or white, to “Z” which displays a strong yellow hue. For fancy diamonds, their color intensity is graded from Light to Dark.
Clarity
This criteria indicates the purity of the stone. The great majority of diamonds present small elements which can be internal, called “inclusions”, or on the surface of the stone, called “blemishes”. The less there are, the rarer is the diamond and so, the more valuable. We qualify the clarity on a range from “Flawless” (Fl), meaning without any inclusions, to “Included” (I), for which the inclusions are visible to the naked-eye.
While the 4Cs are the main criteria to define the value of a diamond, there are plenty other parameters to consider to attest of a diamond's beauty. The 4Cs is a theorical guide to a diamond's properties, but ultimately, we suggest a stone should be chosen for its charm and for the emotions it creates in you. Let's start your bespoke diamond hunt.
Selection of Diamond Rings by Eline Ewbank