4 C's Guide
What are the 4 C’s of Diamonds?
Understanding what to look for when shopping for a diamond is important and knowing what the 4 C’s of diamonds are is the perfect place to start. The four C’s—cut, color, clarity, and carat—are the traits that contribute to a diamond’s value. With years of expertise in diamond knowledge here at Brockhaus Jewelry, we’ve compiled this helpful guide so you can learn about the basics before picking out a center stone for an engagement ring.
Carat
A carat is a unit of measurement used to determine the weight of a diamond. While a diamond may appear large in size, this does not automatically indicate a higher carat weight. The cut of a diamond can be misleading which is why a diamond’s size should not be the main determining factor of its quality. While a marquise diamond with a long table appears to be much larger than a compact round cut, the two can be of the same carat weight.
Cut
The shape of a diamond is referred to as the cut of the stone. This is in reference to its technical proportions, symmetry, and facet placement. Favored diamond shapes include the round brilliant, princess cut, and emerald cut. For ages, diamond cuts have adhered to specific standards and have been graded on a scale created by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). A diamond’s shape is important because when cut to its ideal proportions, light entering from any direction will reflect out the top to create sparkling flashes of rainbow colors.
Color
When referring to color in a diamond, one is actually looking for the absence of color. A diamond as close to colorless as possible is more valuable than those with a slight tinge. The GIA scale grades the color of white diamonds from D to Z. A diamond graded D means the piece is completely colorless, while those graded from G-J have only the slightest color, and anything after that starts to have an increasing yellow hue.
Clarity
The clarity of a diamond refers to the internal and external flaws that occur naturally on the stone or the number of inclusions. Inclusions are internal characteristics that determine a diamond's grade and value, which are also affected by its nature, location, and size. Diamonds with the highest clarity are rated “FL” for flawless while those with many inclusions that can be seen by the naked eye are rated “I3”. Diamonds that exhibit very little, non-prominent flaws are more expensive and brilliant because of the higher clarity rating.
Why Shop for Loose Diamonds at Brockhaus Jewelry?
Selecting an exquisite diamond may seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be with guidance from our expert associates at Brockhaus Jewelry. Our team of trained professionals will answer any questions you have about our diamond selection and ensure you receive nothing but the best in quality. We’re dedicated to sharing our diamond expertise and providing luxury jewelry for every customer that comes to our Norman jewelry showroom. We encourage Oklahoma City, Moore, and Edmond residents to make an appointment for a consultation today.
