Brightness
The amount of white light reflected back through the top of the diamond.
DIAMOND EDUCATION
The 4Cs of Diamonds
Understanding Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat helps you appreciate what makes every diamond unique.
THE FOUR CHARACTERISTICS
What Makes a Diamond Beautiful?
Every diamond has its own personality. The 4Cs provide a universal framework for describing four important characteristics of a diamond.
01
THE FIRST C
Cut
The Source of Brilliance
Cut refers to how well a diamond has been proportioned, polished and finished. It determines how effectively the stone interacts with light.
A well-cut diamond can return light through the top of the stone, creating brightness, fire and scintillation.
CUT GRADING
Excellent
Exceptional
Very Good
Very High
Good
Good
Fair
Moderate
Poor
Limited
Fire
The colorful flashes of light visible when a diamond interacts with light.
Scintillation
The flashes of light and dark created as a diamond or observer moves.
02
THE SECOND C
Color
The Subtle Art of Color
For most gem-quality diamonds, the color grading scale describes how close a diamond is to being colorless.
The less noticeable body color a diamond has, the higher it generally sits on the traditional D-to-Z scale.
COLOR SCALE
D
Colorless
E
Colorless
F
Colorless
G
Near Colorless
H
Near Colorless
I
Near Colorless
J
Near Colorless
03
THE THIRD C
Clarity
The Story Within the Stone
Clarity describes the presence of internal characteristics called inclusions and external characteristics called blemishes.
Grading considers the number, size, position and visibility of these characteristics under standardized viewing conditions.
CLARITY SCALE
FL
Flawless
IF
Internally Flawless
VVS
Very Very Slightly Included
VS
Very Slightly Included
SI
Slightly Included
I
Included
Magnification
Clarity grades are determined under controlled magnification conditions.
Visibility
The visibility and position of characteristics influence grading.
Uniqueness
Internal characteristics can help make every natural diamond distinctive.
04
THE FOURTH C
Carat
Understanding Diamond Weight
Carat refers to the weight of a diamond. One carat is divided into 100 points, allowing diamond weight to be measured precisely.
Carat weight should not be confused with visual size. Two diamonds with the same carat weight can appear different depending on their shape and proportions.
0.25
Carat
0.50
Carat
0.75
Carat
1.00
Carat
THE BIGGER PICTURE
It's About the Balance
The 4Cs work together. The best diamond for you depends on how these characteristics combine with your personal preferences, jewellery design and budget.
Prioritize What Matters
Decide which diamond characteristics are most important to you.
Find the Right Balance
Consider how the 4Cs work together rather than focusing on one number.
Choose What You Love
Personal preference is an important part of selecting a diamond.
QUICK REFERENCE
The 4Cs at a Glance
| C | What It Means | What It Influences | Key Consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cut | How well the diamond interacts with light | Brilliance and sparkle | Proportions and finish |
| Color | Degree of body color | Overall appearance | Shape and setting matter |
| Clarity | Internal and external characteristics | Visual purity | Visibility of inclusions |
| Carat | Diamond weight | Weight and potential size | Shape and proportions matter |
4Cs QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
Which of the 4Cs is most important?
The importance of each C depends on your priorities. Cut is particularly important for how a diamond interacts with light, while color, clarity and carat contribute to its overall appearance.
Does higher carat always mean a better diamond?
No. Carat measures weight, not overall quality. A smaller diamond with an excellent cut can appear more brilliant than a larger diamond with weaker proportions.
What does a diamond's cut affect?
Cut affects how effectively the diamond reflects and returns light, influencing brightness, fire and scintillation.
Is a higher clarity grade always necessary?
Not necessarily. The ideal clarity grade depends on the diamond's characteristics, shape and how visible its inclusions are.
Should I choose color or clarity first?
There is no universal order. Your choice can depend on the diamond shape, metal, desired appearance and personal priorities.
YOUR DIAMOND JOURNEY
Knowledge Makes Every Choice Brighter
Continue exploring diamonds and discover the characteristics that matter most to you.