Understanding the Four C's of Diamonds

True love is like a diamond: resilient, radiant and perfectly unique. No two relationships are identical and no two diamonds are alike. When selecting the stone for your beloved’s engagement ring, you want one that is distinct, reflecting your one-of-a-kind love.

Choosing a diamond that fully represents your special story is an important decision. If you’re not sure where to begin, we recommend starting with the four C’s. Cut, color, clarity and carats are the criteria that every diamond is evaluated on. They were established by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in the 1940’s. Since then, they’ve reigned as the worldwide diamond evaluation standard. By understanding these components, you can choose the diamond that fits your setting, price point and your incredible love story.

Cut

Many believe that cut is the most important of the four C’s because it has the biggest impact on the diamond’s appearance. Some think it refers to the shape of the diamond, such as round, pear, princess and oval. However, it actually describes how the diamond is proportioned and faceted, creating the ideal symmetry to reflect the maximum amount of light. In short, the cut determines how light flows through the diamond, creating sparkle and shine.

According to the GIA grading system, the cut is rated as Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, and Poor. For Round diamonds there are three cut grades, Polish, Symmetry and overall cut. All other fancy shaped diamonds only have a polish and symmetry grade, no overall cut.

Color

Color is the second most important C and actually refers to the lack of color in a diamond. Diamonds naturally come in a variety of colors including gray, white, yellow, green, brown and pink. But the highest quality and rarest diamonds are colorless, making them almost icy in appearance. GIA values color on a scale of D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown). D, E, F graded diamonds are rarer than diamonds lower on the scale, such as K diamonds, which have a faint color.

A little color isn’t always a bad thing. For instance, diamond color is affected by different settings and metals. A diamond with a K color grade may not be as rare as a D or even an F, but it may pair beautifully with that yellow gold solitaire setting you have your eye on.

Clarity

Clarity refers to how natural imperfections in the diamond are evaluated. Surface flaws are known as “blemishes” while internal characteristics are called “inclusions”. The less noticeable those characteristics are the higher clarity grade the stone will receive. The scale of clarity begins in the I1-I2 range, with visible inclusions to the unaided eye, and goes all the way to flawless, where even under magnification there are no inclusions or blemishes present in the diamond.

But diamonds are unique, not perfect. Natural diamonds are born in the depths of the earth’s crust under high pressure and temperature. This means that inclusions and blemishes are inevitably part of the growing process. In fact, less than 1% of all diamonds are categorized as “flawless”, because it’s rare to find a diamond free of inclusions.

Carat

The term carat is often used interchangeably with a diamond’s appearance, however it refers to the diamond’s actual weight, not the diamond’s visual size. What this means is that two 1 carat diamonds can look like they are different sizes, but weigh the same amount on the scale. It is important to consider dimension as well as carat when choosing what is best for you and your partner.

Uncover Your Perfect Diamond at Baxter’s

If you’re ready to continue your love story by popping the question, we’re here to help you find the perfect diamond for your engagement ring. At Baxter’s Fine Jewelry, we have an incredible selection of diamonds for you to choose from. And remember if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to visit us at 200 Jefferson Blvd today. We can’t wait to share your special moment with you!