When going out shopping for diamond rings and wedding bands, you would notice that they are placed at various price points and jewellers explaining how each diamond is unique and how the price is influenced by the 4Cs. What are the 4Cs, and why do they matter?
At Forever Diamonds, we believe that buying a diamond starts with understanding what makes each one unique. Whether you’re selecting an elegant diamond engagement ring or a diamond wedding band, knowing what the 4Cs stand for can go a long way to help find the perfect diamond for you. In this guide, we’ll break down each of the 4Cs and explain why they matter.
What are the 4Cs?
The 4Cs stand for Colour, Cut, Clarity, and Carat, and it is the current global standard for determining the quality of a diamond. The roots of the system can be traced to the 1940s to Robert M. Shipley, the founder of the Gemological Institute of America. He first coined the phrase “the 4Cs of diamond quality” to help his students remember the four characteristics that made a faceted diamond.
The 4Cs concept quickly became a part of the diamond industry’s lexicon through GIA educational courses and publications. It was the work of Shipley’s successor, Richard T. Liddicoat, and his colleagues that propelled 4Cs into becoming the universal grading standard that it is today.
How do the 4Cs affect a diamond’s quality and price?
Color
Diamonds come in many hues, ranging from colorless to every shade in the rainbow. Many of these diamonds can be graded on their color under the universally accepted GIA D-to-Z Colour Scale. The highest grade in the scale is D and is reserved for colorless diamonds and diamonds with yellowish brown hues. This means that the absence of color increases the diamond’s value, making jewelry made from colorless diamonds more expensive.
If you hear the word “Fancy Diamond,” know that it is in reference to diamonds that have hues outside the normal color range. While there are no universal guidelines on their grading, it is generally accepted that these diamonds have more color than the Z masterstone used in the color grading system.
Cut
When we refer to the cut of a diamond, we refer to how well the diamond interacts with light. Terms such as ‘Brightness,’ ‘Fire,’ and ‘Scintillation’ are also terms used by jewelers to describe the diamond’s cut. The cut is of such significance that when we compare two diamonds of the same carat weight, the well-cut diamond’s ability to appear larger and brighter will garner it a higher price point.
Clarity
The clarity of a diamond is based on factors such as size, location, visibility, and the number of blemishes and inclusions. Inclusions are the internal and surface-reaching characteristics of the diamond, much like birthmarks in humans. On the other hand, blemishes are the external features seen on diamonds.
Many of the inclusions and blemishes in diamonds are not visible to the naked eye and require the use of microscopes. Based on observations made, jewelers can place the diamond on the GIA Clarity Scale, which includes 11 grades, ranging from the highest grade of flawless to included. If a diamond is deemed flawless, it has no inclusions or blemishes. Therefore, the closer the diamond is to flawless, the higher its value will be.
Carat Weight
Metric carats are weight measuring units of the diamond trade, with one carat being equivalent to 200 milligrams. Each carat is subdivided into 100 points that allow for measurements up to the hundredth decimal point. According to the GIA, the most desirable carat weights lie between 1.00 and 2.00 carats.
According to the GIA, “If two diamonds were identical in color, clarity, and cut, but one had a larger carat weight, then that diamond would be more rare, and the price would increase accordingly.” Therefore, the higher the carat amount, the more likely it is for that diamond to be quoted at a higher price.
Conclusion
When you go diamond ring shopping, you will hear the phrase “4Cs” thrown around a lot. The 4Cs that are color, cut, clarity, and carat weight are the international grading system used to determine the value of diamonds, and understanding how each of the 4Cs impacts the diamond will empower you to make an informed and confident decision.