One of the biggest things to consider when buying diamonds is the quality. However, there is more to the quality of a diamond than just the sparkle. In this article, you will learn how to determine the quality of a diamond by identifying these 4 characteristics.

The 4C's

The 4C's of determining the quality of a diamond are: Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat. Diamonds have a very sophisticated grading scale, and most of them follow the standards of quality determined by the 4C's. Not only is the diamond graded, but each of the 4C's are graded on a scale in order to be evaluated for quality. And although there is some universal terminology for grading jewelry, it does vary by lab entity. As a buyer, have a general understanding of the 4C's will not only help you identify a quality diamond, but may also save you hundreds of dollars in the process.

Cut

The "cut" of a diamond is probably the most important aspect of a diamond's quality. Not to mention, it is one of the first characteristics of a diamond that you look at. The cut of a diamond actually refers to the quality of the diamond's angles. Proportion, symmetrical facets, and scintillation all play into the diamond's ability to sparkle, as well as it's overall beauty.

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) grades a diamond's cut on a scale of Ideal, Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, and Poor. Another thing to consider is the shape of the diamond and how it's proportions and angles affect the diamond's brilliance and fire. Make sure to note that the diamond's Cut should be your main focus in buying diamonds. A diamond could have zero inclusions or tinting, but if it has a subpar cut, the sparkle could be terribly affected.

Cut is essential to a diamond's beauty, so don't overlook this C and never be afraid to pick an expert's brain.

Color

A diamond's Color is determined by how white or colorless a diamond is. GIA grades diamonds on a letter scale of D to Z with D being the most colorless, and Z being the most brown/yellow.

It is very safe to assume that price is significantly affected by the Color of a diamond. The most important thing to note when determining the diamond's Color is if it appears colorless in relation to its setting. A poor color grade may interfere with light reflection on the diamond and that may severely affect the sparkle.

Never be afraid to ask your jeweler about differentiating between diamond color, after all, they are the experts!

Clarity

As described, a diamond's clarity is determined by how clean the diamond is from inclusions as well as any other blemish. Clarity is graded by the following scale:

Because the factors determining each grade are extremely precise, we always recommend asking your jeweler about the clarity of a diamond before buying.

Pro-Tip: Find a diamond that is "eye-clean." Eye-clean is a term used to describe diamonds that have inclusions that are not visible to the naked eye. These inclusions are more fine and require a loupe to see.

Carat Weight

A common misconception about carat weight is that it is often confused for the size of the diamond itself. However, it actually refers to the weight of the diamond, rather than it's size. A Carat is equal to 200 milligrams or 0.2 grams.

Carat weight is often the first thing certain buyers look for when buying a diamond. And although it is something to consider, the overall appearance and brilliance of the diamond should take a higher priority.

Know Your Best Friend!

Each one of these factors contribute to the overall aesthetic appearance of a diamond. No two stones are the same. However, you should remember to view each diamond as a whole rather than by each individual aspect. Diamonds are a girl's best friend, right? We all deserve to know about them like a best friend.

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