The Four C's

All diamonds are graded using the four c's (cut, color, clarity and carat weight) methodology.  Each of these qualities are important for valuers to consider when trying to evaluate the quality and value of diamonds and to the consumer when trying to determine the correct stone to purchase.

Cut - This attribute has to do much more with the way a diamond handles reflected light throughout the stone than just the shape of it.  A stone that has been cut within exact proportions reflects light from facet to facet and then disperses it through the top or table of the stone.  There are numerous ways to cut stones, and in diamonds the most popular is the round brilliant cut.

Color - This attribute deals with the purity of a diamond, and a colorless stone is the best color as far as diamonds are concerned.  The effortless passage of light through a stone afforded by a diamond with no color allows the full spectrum of colors to be dispersed throughout the stone.

Clarity - This attribute has to do with the internal structure of a diamond.  Most stones contain inclusions, which are natural imperfections inside the structure of the stone.  These inclusions interfere with the way the light passes through the stone.  In the rare case that a diamond is clear throughout, it is said to be flawless.

Carat Weight - This attribute deals with the actual size of the diamond.  Taking into consideration all the other factors that go into grading diamonds, a bigger stone is not necessarily a better stone.