What Makes Your Diamonds Shine? The Four C’s You Need to Know

Let’s not beat around the bush here: we love diamonds. There are varying levels of appreciation one can experience, but with this guide even the most inexperienced diamond enthusiast can consider themselves a bit knowledgeable than the average amateur. The experts, however, have got their diamond appreciation down to a science and here’s how they do it.

Like most of the mysteries of the world, diamonds attract the curious. Learning a bit more about something beautiful only serves the bigger picture as a whole, leading to greater satisfaction as you take it all in with your newfound sense of understanding. The four C’s of diamonds are what the jewelry professionals use to grade diamonds for consumption.

The Four C’s

Defining the brilliance and value of a diamond starts with the four C’s: Carat, Clarity, Color, and Cut. Each one of these categories is valuable to understand if you’re considering treating yourself or a loved one to a stunning piece of diamond jewelry. Regardless of the C, it’s important to keep your budget in mind and to understand your own personal taste when planning your hunt for the perfect ring or necklace.

Carat

The carat weight of a diamond is probably the most commonly-known of the four, as well as potentially being the factor that influences the sticker price of the engagement ring with the most authority. Carat refers to the physical weight of a diamond, which means the higher the carat, the larger and more valuable the diamond. Five carats equate to approximately one gram, and one ounce is about 141.7 carats.

Clarity

Nobody wants to be met with a cloudy stone every time they take a look at their hand. Clarity is a measure of how much the diamond dulls the light traveling through it is; imperfections suspended inside of diamonds are called inclusions and prevent the sparkles you love from flashing as sharply as they could otherwise. Clarity is important in determining how brilliantly a diamond will shine and is important to consider when planning a budget.

Color

The third C, color, is a letter grade signifying how pure the diamond is when compared to a perfectly colorless diamond, which earns a D. Further down the chart you see diamonds take on a yellowish tint that makes them less desirable when finding the perfect diamond. However, while gemstone experts may notice a slightly off-color stone, most non-professionals generally won’t, meaning that if budget is a concern for you, choosing a diamond less than flawless in color may allow you to upgrade in another category.

Cut

Cut is generally the final stage of the series of machinations that carry diamonds far from their home deep underground, right to your fingertips. Any number of styles can be applied to diamonds: the classic princess cut diamond is one notable example. More unusual cuts, such as cushion-cut diamonds or perhaps a marquise-cut stone, are a great way to add interest to the wedding band you decide to take home with you. Whether you want the classic round cut or a bolder look, this category is dependent entirely on personal taste or style.

Find Your Perfect Diamond with a Little Help from Our Team

Yes, all of this is very interesting, but arming oneself with this knowledge definitely comes with one objective advantage: it makes you a more informed consumer, allowing you to shop with purpose. If you happen to be on the market for diamonds ideal for your budget and desires, Rogers Jewelry Company is your premiere jewelry store in Central California and the Greater Reno Area. To learn more about diamonds, our ethical sourcing promise, and even in-house custom design services, give us a ring or stop by one of our shops.