The 4 C’s
The most cherished and globally recognized gemstone of all is the diamond. From brilliant to cushion, pear to princess, there are four important factors to consider when choosing your perfect diamond. Learn about the 4 C’s: Cut, Carat weight, Colour and Clarity in our simplified guide.
Beyond Compare
There is no other gemstone quite like a diamond. It is found in the most remote places on earth and the fact that it forms at all is something of a miracle.
Colour, Clarity, Cut and Carat Weight are together, what makes each stone unique. The 4Cs is a universal method for assessing the quality of any diamond, anywhere in the world.
1. Clarity
Because diamonds form in nature under intense heat and pressure, most diamonds have slight internal and surface characteristics called inclusions. When viewed under a 10x magnification, they can take various forms such as clouds, crystals or feathers and can be black or clear. The types and quantity of these inclusions determine the clarity grade. At Anne Sportun we mostly use diamonds in the Flawless to VS2 grade which do not have inclusions visible to the naked eye.
2. Colour
Diamonds are graded by a standardized, internationally accepted system to determine their colour. This chart starts at D (colourless) and finishes at Z (saturated). We use only the highest quality diamonds and our engagement rings are set with stones in the colour range of D-G or with cognac or champagne diamonds which possess distinct, noticeable colour.
3. Cut
The beauty of a diamond’s brilliance is the result of how well it has been cut. A perfectly-cut diamond shows a magnificent display of three attributes:
Brightness – the combination of all white light reflecting from the surface and interior of a diamond; Fire – the “flares” of colour emitted from a diamond; and Scintillation – the flashes of light you see when the diamond, light or observer moves.
Diamonds with fine proportions, symmetry and polish optimize their interaction with light and have increased brightness, fire and scintillation. Before we notice colour or clarity, the first thing our eye is drawn to is a diamond’s sparkle.
4. Carat
A diamond’s size is measured by carat weight.
1 carat = 100 points or 1.00ct, a half carat = 50 points or .05ct and so forth.
Diamonds of a higher carat weight are considered more valuable as they are found less frequently in nature. However, diamonds of equal weight can vary greatly in their value, as it is the combination of the four C’s (cut, colour, clarity and carat weight) which determines the value of a diamond.