THE SIMPLIFIED 4C’S

Carat, Clarity, Color, and Cut (a.k.a. the Four C's) are the worldwide characteristics used to classify the rarity, quality and value of diamonds. Diamonds with the highest combination of 4 C ratings are the rarest and most valuable.



Carat refers to weight and therefore the size of a diamond. One carat is divided into 100 points. Size is the most obvious factor in determining the value of a diamond. But two diamonds of equal size can have very different values depending on their cut, clarity and color.




A diamond's clarity is determined by the degree to which it is free from naturally occurring inclusions. However, many are invisible to the naked eye. The fewer inclusions a diamond has, the rarer the stone.




While most diamonds appear white, many of them display tints of color barely discoverable to the naked eye. The closer a diamond approaches colorless, the rarer and more valuable the stone.




When a diamond is cut to good proportions, light will reflect from one facet to another and disperse through the top of the stone, resulting in a display of brilliance and fire. Diamonds that are cut too deep or too shallow lose or leak light through the side or bottom.