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The Four Cs are used throughout the world to classify the rarity of diamonds. The four characteristics are Carat, Clarity, Colour and Cut. A diamond’s beauty, rarity, and price depend on the interplay of all the four Cs. No one C is more important than another in terms of beauty and it is important to note that none of the four Cs will diminish in value over time.
Carat
The carat is a measure of a diamond’s mass.
Carat is often confused with size even though it is actually a measure of mass. One carat is exactly 200 milligrams. One carat can also be divided into 100 points. A .75 carat diamond is the same as a 75-points or 3/4 carat diamond.
Since larger diamonds are found less frequently in nature, a 1 carat diamond will cost more than twice a 1/2-carat diamond (assuming colour, clarity and cut remain constant).
Clarity
The presence of inclusions in a diamond.
Inclusions are natural identifying characteristics such as minerals or fractures. These are formed while diamonds are created in the earth. They appear as tiny crystals, clouds or feathers under a jeweller’s magnifying loupe.
Inclusions are ranked on a scale of perfection, known as clarity. The clarity scale, ranging from F (Flawless) to Included (I), is based on the visibility of inclusions at a magnification of 10x. The greater a diamond’s clarity, the more brilliant, valuable and rare it is.
Colour
The degree to which a diamond is colourless.
Diamonds range in colour from icy winter whites to warm summer whites. Diamonds are graded on a colour scale which ranges from D (colourless) to Z.
Warmer coloured diamonds (K-Z) ‘glow’ when set in yellow gold. Icy whites (D-J) look stunning set in white gold or platinum. Colour differences are very subtle and it is very difficult to see the difference between, say, an E and an F. Therefore, colours are graded under controlled lighting conditions and are compared to a master set for accuracy.
Cut
Brilliant cut
Princess cut
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The cut of a diamond refers to its angles and proportion.
Based on scientific formulas, a well-cut diamond will internally reflect light from one mirror-like facet to another and disperse and reflect it through the top of the stone. This results in a display of brilliance and fire which is missing in deep or shallow-cut diamonds.
Cut also refers to shape - brilliant, princess, or heart for example. Since a round diamond is symmetrical and capable of reflecting nearly all the light that enters, it is the most brilliant of all diamond shapes and follows specific proportional guidelines.
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