Diamond 4C's and Shape

Understanding the diamond 4C's and Shape

The 4Cs stand for carat weight, color, clarity and cut. Diamonds are graded in each of these areas. Taken collectively, those grades determine a diamond’s value.

Carat
The weight of a diamond is expressed in carats. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams. Carat weight serves as one of the most significant measures in determining the value of a diamond. Carat weight not only affects the diamond's cost but also plays a crucial role in its overall appearance. It's important to know that diamonds of different shapes may look different in size even if they have the same carat weight. For instance, a round diamond may appear smaller than an emerald cut diamond of the same weight due to differences in depth and faceting. Learn more.

Color
Color evaluates how colorless, near-colorless or yellow-brown tinted it is on a scale of D-Z. Learn more.

Clarity
Clarity evaluates a diamond’s freedom from internal and external clarity characteristics.  Clarity is often the least important of the 4Cs because most inclusions are microscopic; they don't affect the diamond's beauty in a visible way. Most diamonds with a VS2 clarity or higher are 100% eye clean. Learn more.

Cut
Cut evaluates a diamond’s craftsmanship and quality of light behavior. Cut is the most important as it has the greatest influence on a diamond's sparkle. The better the cut the more the diamond will sparkle. Learn more.

Shape
Diamonds come in a variety of shapes, each offering a unique look and feel. Here’s a breakdown of some popular diamond shapes:

• Round Brilliant: This classic shape is the most popular, known for its exceptional brilliance and fire due to its many facets.

• Fancy Shapes: These encompass all shapes other than round. They offer diverse styles and can sometimes appear larger for their carat weight, but generally cost less per carat than round diamonds.

Here are some popular shapes:

REF : www.igi.org