THE 4 C’S
The Four C’s are the barometer by which the world judges the beauty of a diamond. These include CUT, COLOUR, CLARITY, and CARAT.
Few consumer products undergo the scrutiny that diamonds are subjected to. That’s because subtle variations in color, cut and clarity can cause significant differences in a diamond’s value. In addition to the 4 C’s, there are a few more qualitative factors to consider: Certification, Comments, and Confidence.
CUT
Among the 4Cs of diamond characteristics, CUT is the most important as it impacts the overall beauty of a diamond and is the only attribute that can be crafted by man. A diamond’s cut does not refer to its shape, it refers to the diamond’s proportion, symmetrical facets and polish achieved by the diamond cutter. When a diamond has been cut correctly, its facets’ ability to reflect and refract light is greatly enhanced to produce strong light performance (Brilliance, Fire, Sparkle, and Light Symmetry).
Brilliance is referred to as the intense (typically white) light radiating out of the diamond. Fire is the vivid flares of rainbow colour seen within the diamond. Sparkle is the dramatic luminous flashes of light bursting out of the stone as it moves. Light Symmetry is the distribution of light throughout a diamond, affected by cut.
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the International Gemological Institute (IGI) are two of the world’s largest and preeminent diamond laboratories. They grade diamond cut into five categories: Excellent, Very Good, and lets just stop there. Anything less than Very Good we’re going to disregard. Think of it this way, a colourless, flawless diamond that isn’t cut correctly is not going to look as good as a stone with a lower colour and clarity but that is cut to perfection. Similarly a $10,000 suit isn’t going to look good if it doesn’t fit you and is tailored poorly in contrast to a $1,000 suit that is tailored to perfection.
While only round brilliant stones can receive an official cut grade, I only source stones that are cut within what are classified as “excellent” parameters (making up roughly less than 3% of fine diamond cut quality). When dealing with fancy coloured diamonds and precious stones we can sometimes drop down to “Very Good” (the top 12%) as in these cases Colour is the most important attribute.
COLOUR
The second most important of the 4Cs is COLOUR. Diamond colour evaluation is based on the absence of colour. GIA and IGI grade diamonds from D to Z, with D being the most colourless, and Z containing noticeable brown or yellow tint.
In most cases, diamond colour distinctions between D to J are very subtle that they are invisible to the naked and untrained eye. However, these distinctions in colour can make a big difference in diamond quality and price. Colour is typically the most significant driver in price of a diamond.
CLARITY
CLARITY is the least important of the 4Cs because the tiny imperfections are often too small to see with naked eye. Diamond clarity is based on the absence of inclusions and blemishes. Surface flaws are considered as “blemishes” and internal defects are considered as “inclusions.” The location of blemishes and inclusions can interfere with the diamond’s play with light. When this happens, the sparkle and brilliance of the diamond is dulled.
GIA and IGI grade diamond clarity on the Diamond Clarity Scale ranging in order:
I typically recommend diamonds with clarity SI1 and above as inclusions and blemishes are not obvious to the naked eye (a concept known as “eye-clean”). Stones graded lower than SI1 can also be considered eye-clean and should be considered on a case-by-case basis. Inclusions and blemishes on diamonds with clarity SI1 and above also hardly interrupt with the diamonds’ ability to reflect and refract light, making your diamond sparkle.
CARAT
CARAT weight measures how much a diamond weighs (a carat of diamond weights 0.2 grams). With all other characteristics of a diamond being equal, diamond prices increase (in a non-linear relationship) with diamond carat weight because larger diamonds are significantly rarer and more desirable. However, two diamonds of equal carat weight can have very different values and prices depending on the other three characteristics of the diamond 4Cs, Cut, Colour and Clarity.
There are 3 other qualitative characteristics that I also feel are important to proper stone selection, CERTIFCATION, COMMENTS, and CONFIDENCE.
CERTIFICATION
Not all stones are created equal. And they certainly aren’t all certified equally. Choosing a certified diamond, endorsed by reputable institutions like GIA (Gemological Institute of America) or IGI (International Gemological Institute), is an essential step in ensuring the authenticity and quality of your precious gem.
In the world of diamonds, certification is the key that unlocks the door to a realm of trust, knowledge, and lasting value. By selecting a certified diamond, you not only adorn yourself with a sparkling masterpiece but also gain the confidence that your precious gem has been recognized and authenticated by industry experts.
COMMENTS
If you’re buying a diamond (or precious stone) solely on it’s certificate then you’re missing at least 80% of the story. Not only are there important pieces of information in the comments accompanying the stone but the jeweller suggesting the stone should also be able to articulate some relevant commentary on why this stone is perfect (or awful).
If one were to look at the section above from a GIA Report, you would think this is bright white, super clean diamond (E, VVS1). But then you see that this colour has been achieved through colour enhancement, and that the Polish and Symmetry are merely listed as “Good”.
CONFIDENCE
Leading into the last point, Confidence. It is not you job to be an expert on selecting the perfect diamond or gemstone for your unique piece of jewellery, but it is mine. In a world buzzing with online options and certification data, there's an unmatched confidence that comes from seeking the expertise of industry professionals when choosing your diamond.
In the pursuit of the perfect diamond, choosing to rely on industry experts is a transformative experience. It's more than a transaction; it's a collaborative journey that instills confidence, ensuring that your chosen gem not only meets industry standards but exceeds your expectations, becoming a timeless symbol of your unique love story.