The 4Cs of Diamonds

When buying a diamond, you’ll often hear about the “4Cs” – Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat. These are the global standards for judging a diamond’s beauty and value. Here’s a simple guide to understand them easily

1. Cut – The Sparkle Factor ✨

The cut is the most important “C”. It decides how well the diamond reflects light and how much it sparkles.

• Excellent Cut: Brilliant sparkle, maximum fire.

• Good Cut: Sparkles well, but less than excellent.

• Poor Cut: Looks dull even if the diamond is big.

👉 Tip: Always prioritise cut – a well-cut diamond will shine brighter than a bigger but poorly cut one.

2. Colour – From White to Yellow

Diamonds come in many shades. The whiter the diamond, the rarer and more valuable it is.

• D–F: Colourless (premium quality).

• G–J: Near colourless (excellent value, still look white).

• K–Z: Noticeable yellow or brown tint.

👉 Tip: Choose near-colourless (G–H) for the best balance of beauty and value.

3. Clarity – The Purity of the Diamond

Clarity refers to natural tiny marks inside the diamond called inclusions. The fewer the inclusions, the more flawless the diamond.

• FL/IF: Flawless/Internally Flawless (rare & expensive).

• VVS1–VVS2: Very, very small inclusions (almost invisible).

• VS1–VS2: Very small inclusions (great value).

• SI1–SI2: Slightly included (eye-clean, budget-friendly).

👉 Tip: Choose VS or SI diamonds that look clean to the naked eye.

4. Carat – The Size & Weight

Carat measures the weight of the diamond, not the size. A higher carat means a larger diamond, but carat alone doesn’t decide beauty.

• 1 Carat: Classic engagement ring size.

• 0.50–0.75 Carat: Budget-friendly, still stunning.

• 2+ Carats: Rare, bold and luxurious.

👉 Tip: Focus on cut + appearance rather than just carat weight.

✅ Quick Summary

• Cut = Sparkle ✨

• Colour = Whiteness 💎

• Clarity = Purity 🔍

• Carat = Weight ⚖️

The perfect diamond is about balance. You don’t need the highest grade in every “C” – the right combination can give you maximum beauty within your budget.

FAQs

1. What is the most important of the 4Cs?
Cut is the most important, because it controls sparkle.

2. What colour diamond should I choose?
Near colourless (G–H) diamonds look beautiful and offer excellent value.

3. Are higher clarity diamonds worth it?
Not always. VS and SI diamonds often look flawless to the eye and cost much less.

4. Does carat mean size or weight?
Carat measures weight, but bigger carats usually look larger in size.

5. Are lab grown diamonds graded on the 4Cs?
Yes, lab grown diamonds are graded the same way as natural diamonds, often certified by IGI or GIA.