4 Cs of Diamonds

The diamonds that are used goes under quality check and are graded keeping in check the 4Cs i.e. Colour, Clarity, Cut and Carat Weight.
Here’s how you can choose your diamonds before investing in them.

Colour

Considering the industry standards GIA color scale is used to grade the color of the diamonds which further affects the pricing. The GIA grading scale starts from D to Z, the reason being the Arcane system used grades of A-C, 1-3, and I-III. The diamond colors vary from colorless to yellow tint diamonds and hence are categorized under 5 variations. An absolute colorless diamond is graded under D-F which are rare and of highest value. Thus, diamonds that come under this range are priced higher than any other variants. Diamonds within the G-J range are displayed colorless when observed with face up and nearly colorless when observed with face down. The diamonds that range under K have a yellow tint and are often selected where slight color in the diamonds is not an issue and budget is somewhat limited.

Clarity

The diamonds out there are the output of tremendous heat and pressure which results in characteristics namely inclusions and blemishes.
The clarity of a diamond is determined based on the imperfections present inside or on the diamond.
The diamonds that have minimum inclusions and blemishes are considered in higher graded diamonds and therefore they are costlier than those with more inclusions and blemishes.
For further guide on diamond clarity, mentioned below is the GIA Clarity scale:
Flawless (FL) No inclusions and no blemishes visible under 10x magnification
Internally Flawless (IF) No inclusions visible under 10x magnification
Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2) Inclusions so slight they are difficult for a skilled grader to see under 10x magnification
Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2) Inclusions are observed with effort under 10x magnification, but can be characterized as minor
Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2) Inclusions are noticeable under 10x magnification
Included (I1, I2, and I3) Inclusions are obvious under 10x magnification which may affect transparency and brilliance

Cut

Diamond cut does not refer to the shape (oval, pear, etc.) of the diamond, but it refers to how well a diamond is cut and polished, which also includes checking on the symmetry, depth and proportion of the stone (also considered as factors for determining diamond cut). The reason behind considering the cut and polish of the diamond is that it directly impacts the beauty and brilliance of the diamonds. As per the factors mentioned above GIA grades diamond cut quality between excellent and poor. Diamonds which come under excellent and very good cut grades are considered as the best ones.

DIAMOND CUT GRADE CHART AS PER GIA

Grade	Description
Excellent	Excellent Cut Diamonds provide the highest level of fire and brilliance. Because almost all of the incoming light is reflected through the table, the diamond radiates with magnificent sparkle.
Very Good	Very Good Cut Diamonds offer exceptional brilliance and fire. A large majority of the entering light reflects through the diamond’s table. To the naked eye, Very Good diamonds provide similar sparkle to those of Excellent grade.
Good	Good Cut Diamonds showcase brilliance and sparkle, with much of the light reflecting through the table to the viewer’s eye. These diamonds provide beauty at a lower price point.
Fair	Fair Cut Diamonds offer little brilliance, as light easily exits through the bottom and sides of the diamond. Diamonds of a Fair Cut may be a satisfactory choice for smaller carats and those acting as side stones.
Poor	Poor Cut Diamonds yield nearly no sparkle, brilliance or fire. Entering light escapes from the sides and bottom of the diamond.

Carat

Diamond carat determines the weight of the diamond i.e., how much the stone weighs. Each carat is equal to 0.2 gms. Diamonds that weigh more than 1 carat are expressed as carats and the ones that weigh below 1 carat are expressed in pointers. The diamonds larger in size are limited in supply and are majorly in demand, due to which the diamonds that weigh higher in carats have higher prices. One diamond with bigger carat weight will always have a higher value as compared to two pieces with lower carat weight. For instance, 2 one carat diamonds will be less costly as compared to 1 two carat diamond.Before investing a big amount in purchasing the diamonds it is necessary to consider all the 4Cs of diamonds to ensure the best quality.