The 4 Cs of Diamonds: Your Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Diamond
When it comes to buying an engagement ring, understanding the 4 Cs of a diamond—Cut, Colour, Clarity, and Carat weight—is essential. Each diamond characteristic determines the diamond's beauty, quality and value. Whether you're interested in a natural or lab-grown diamond, knowing the 4 Cs will help you choose the perfect stone without breaking your budget.
If you're new to engagement ring shopping, check out our guide on 7 Things You Should Know Before Buying an Engagement Ring for tips on budget, ring styles and more.
CUT - How a Diamond Sparkles
The cut of a diamond refers to how well it's been shaped and polished. A diamond with a good cut allows the light to reflect beautifully, giving it that brilliance and sparkle.
Why Cut Matters
A diamond with a poor cut may appear dull even if it's large and flawless in color and clarity. On the other hand, a smaller diamond with an excellent cut can sparkle brilliantly.
Grades: Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor
Tip: Think of a diamond as a little mirror; the better the cut, the more light can be reflected through it. Always prioritize ccut over size, it has the biggest impact on sparkle.
COLOR - How White or Yellow A Diamond Appears
Diamonds come in my shades, from completely colourless to slightly yellow or brown. The less colour a diamond has, the rarer and more expensive it is. But don't worry, near colourless diamonds can appear just as bright and beautiful without the markup.
Understanding Diamond Colour Grades
Diamonds are graded from D to Z
- D-F: Colourless
- G-K: Near-Colourless (most people can't tell the difference)
- L-Z: Noticeable yellow or brown ting
Tip: We follow the Tiffany chart of working with colorless to nearly colourless diamonds in grades D-K. When two diamonds of the same size are placed side by side if one is D and one is H, you wouldn't be able to see the difference, but the price would reflect that.
CLARITY - How 'Clean' The Diamond Is
Clarity refers to small imperfections that appear inside or on the surface of the diamond (called inclusions). Most are so small you can't see them wiht a magnifying glass, while others are more visible depending on the clarity grade.
Understanding Diamond Clarity Grades
- Flawless (FL)
- Internally Flawless (IF)
- Very Very Slight (VVS1, VVS2)
- Very Slight (VS1, VS2)
- Slight (SI1, SI2)
- Included (I1, I2, I3)
Tip: Think of a diamond like a clear window; specks may exist, but they don't affect how beautiful it looks in everyday life.
Most SI1 or VS2 diamonds look perfect without magnification and save you money compared to flawless diamonds.
CARAT - How Big the Diamond Is
Carat weight measures a diamond's size. While bigger diamonds are often more expensive, size isn't everything. The cut, colour and clarity can all contribute to making a diamond look just as impressive.
Tip: Focus on cut first, then choose a carat weight based on your budget and the look you want. A well-cut 1.8ctw can appear just as large and brilliant as a 2ctw diamond with a poor cut.
Why The 4 Cs Matter
Understanding the 4 Cs helps you make an informed decision when buying a diamond as each factor contributes to the overall look and price.
- Cut: Sparkle & Brilliance
- Colour: How White or Tinted The Diamond Looks
- Clarity: Cleanliness and Imperfections
- Carat: Size
Choosing Your Perfect Diamond With Dainty Diamond
From concept to creation, we guide you through every step of choosing a diamond for your engagement ring. Whether you're dreaming of a classic solitaire, a hidden halo, or something completely custom, we help bring your dream engagement ring to life.
