4Cs of Diamonds
You’ve probably heard about the 4Cs of a diamond, and you may even know that it stands for diamond cut, colour, clarity and carat weight. Below we take a closer look into the individual 4Cs.
Diamond Color Actually Means Lack of Color
The diamond color evaluation of most gem-quality diamonds is based on the absence of color. The color grading system starts from D color being the whittest and the most expensive and goes till Z. With every letter going down the diamond gets more yellow and cheaper. G to J (Near Colorless ) offers the best value for money
In simple terms it means how many inclusion (marks) are there in a Diamond
- Flawless (FL) and Internally Flawless (IF) No inclusions visible under 10x magnification
- Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2) Inclusions so slight they are difficult for a skilled grader to see under 10x magnification
- Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2) Inclusions are observed with effort under 10x magnification, but can be characterized as minor
- Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2) Inclusions are noticeable under 10x magnification
Of all the 4Cs, diamond cut has the greatest effect on a diamond’s beauty. In determining the quality of the cut, the diamond grader evaluates the cutter’s skill in the fashioning of the diamond. The more precise the diamond is cut, the more captivating the diamond is to the eye.
The carat is the diamond’s physical weight measured in metric carats. One carat equals 1/5 gram and is subdivided into 100 points. Carat weight is the most objective grade of the 4Cs.