Diamond 4C's Guide

What are the 4C's of a diamond?

The 4C's represents the Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat of a diamond. They are also the official techniques used to grade a diamond. Each and every diamond that we work with or use at Diamonds & Diamonds have been examined by an official body like the GIA. They are examined against specific criteria by a qualified gemologist, to ensure beauty as well as perfection. We can guarantee honesty, and value the trust between us and our clients. You can have the confidence that the diamond that you take home is exactly as described. 

Here at Diamonds & Diamonds, we place a huge importance on our client's understanding of the diamonds that we offer, and provide a step-by-step education with a specialist member of our team in the first stages of our bespoke jewellery service. Knowing what the 4C's are will help you towards finding the right stone for you, as well as giving you the confidence that you need to make this special choice!

Diamond Cut

A diamond's cut is skilfully crafted to maximise the interaction and transmission of light, impacting its sparkle. Diamond cutting is a complex process with many considerations needed to achieve the best cut for each stone. The skill with which a diamond is cut with will greatly affect its quality and value. A master craftsman will work at the depth, the table, the height and the angle of the crown as well as its girdle thickness. Each of these factors along with others will affect the grading of the stone, also impacting the diamond's durability and the way that it directs light. However, diamond cut is different to the diamond shape. Learn about diamond shapes here.

Diamond Colour 

A pure diamond that is perfect in structure will have no colour at all, and will be completely clear in appearance. Colour grading starts at D, being an exceptionally white diamond, and works its way through to J, which is slightly tinted white and therefore, has more colour. The diamond colour and the differences between the grades effects the price of a stone. The clearer the diamond, the higher the value. 

Diamond Clarity 

Diamond clarity refers to the absence of imperfections and blemishes in a stone. Each diamond is evaluated against the number of internal and external inclusions that it may possess, as well as the size, position and nature of these factors, and the impact that they have on how the stone appears. The highest diamond clarity grade is flawless, however, this is so rare that many professional jewellers have never encountered one.

Diamond Carat

The carat refers to a diamond's weight, not its size, although in many cases, the higher the carat, the larger the diamond. Carat weight is one of the leading factors considered when grading the quality of a diamond, as it impacts the overall beauty, as well as the physical size. Different diamond shapes and cuts have different carat weights, which is what makes each diamond so unique.