The Four C's

1) Cut

Simplified, the cut (shape and facets) are what make a diamond sparkle. The more faceted the cut, the greater the sparkle.

Ideal: Top 3% and reflects most of the light that enters the diamond.
Very Good: Top 15% and reflects nearly as much light as the ideal cut, but for a lower price.
Good: Top 25% and reflects most of the light that enters.
Poor/Fair: Remaining 75% and reflects little light that enters.

2) Clarity

Measures the purity and the presence of flaws. More clear and less flaws = more valuable. Flaws can be Internal (inclusions) or external (blemishes). Clarity grades from most valuable to least are F, IF, VVS1 VVS2, VS1, VS2, SI1, SI2, I1, I2, and I3. The majority of diamonds you’ll see in jewelry stores are between VVS1 and SI2.

3) Carat

A diamond’s weight is measured in carats. Diamonds that are more than one carat are expressed in decimals, as in a 1.25-carat diamond. The price per carat increases according to a diamond's size since large stones are rarer. Just keep in mind, weight and size are not the same. Depending on the depth/shape of a diamond, a 1.5 carat could look larger than a 1.7 carat diamond.

4) Color

The GIA diamond color grades range from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown). The color evaluation of white diamonds is based on the absence of color.

Perfectly colorless diamonds at the D end of the spectrum are considered the highest quality and the most expensive.
Brown- or yellow-hued diamonds at the Z end of the spectrum are deemed the lowest quality.
Fancy diamonds are stones that exhibit other colors, as well as stones with a yellow intensity beyond Z. Those that come in tones of naturally saturated reds, pinks, blues, and greens are the scarcest.

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