The 4 C’s of Diamonds

Shape

Diamonds come in a variety of shapes. Cut is often confused with shape, cut is what determines how well-cut your diamond is, where as diamond shape is the shape it was cut into.

Cut

The cut of a diamond refers to its proportions. Of the 4C’s, the cut is the aspect most directly influenced by man. The other three are dictated by nature. Quite often the cut of a diamond is confused with its shape.

The cut of a diamond, its roundness, its depth and width, the uniformity of the facets, all determine a diamond’s brilliance. Many gemmologists consider cut the most important diamond characteristic because even if a diamond has perfect colour and clarity, a diamond with a poor cut will have dulled brilliance.

Colour

The less colour in a diamond the better the colour grade is and the more brilliance and fire.

Clarity

Diamonds that are absolutely clear are the most sought-after and therefore the most expensive.

Carats

When diamonds are mined, large gems are discovered much less frequently than small
ones, which makes large diamonds much more valuable.

A diamond’s beauty is the result of its inherent attributes – the quality of the rough stone – as well as the craftsmanship applied to it in the cutting and polishing process.