The Four C’s: What You Need to Know About Diamonds
Some basic information is necessary as you search for the perfect diamond engagement ring.
What qualities are used to set the price of a diamond? You will see the term “Four C’s” used to evaluate the quality and price of diamonds. The Four C’s are: cut, clarity, color and clarity. So, let’s look at each one.
Cuts are graded Ideal/Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair/Medium and Poor. You will see these descriptions abbreviated as I/E, VG, G, F/M, P. Cut is probably the most important item when choosing a diamond. A good diamond cutter will eliminate inclusions (flaws) during cutting. The light reflected from the diamond depends on the cut.
Colored diamonds are not graded under the same system as white diamonds. White diamonds can be treated to produce different colors and are less expensive than the natural colors. Jeweler are supposed to reveal treatments. White diamonds are evaluated on a scale from D (colorless) to Z (yellow or brown tinted). A faint hint of yellow is visible in grades J to M and diamonds from M to Z will have increasingly visible tints.
Clarity refers to the flaws contained in a diamond. As diamonds were formed naturally, deep within the earth, over millions of years ago, other substances sometimes became imbedded in the diamond’s structure. Grades go from Internally Flawless (IF) to I3 (inclusions visible to the naked eye). A jeweler’s loupe (magnifying glass) will allow you to look into the interior of the diamond you wish to purchase.
White diamonds can be drilled with a laser and filled with a special “glass” to remove flaws. Treatments should be listed by the diamond retailer. The color grade of a white diamond can be dropped one level if the diamond has been treated.
Diamonds are weighed by carats. A one carat diamonds weighs 200 milligrams. After grading a diamond on cut, clarity and color, the value is set per carat. Larger diamonds are not necessarily higher quality as the other characteristics must be taken into account first.
Get easy to read charts on the Four C’s in our free Diamond Buyers Guide. Visit us at EngagementRingTrends.com for more great tips on buying the perfect diamond ring.
