I m p o r t a n t T e r m s
GIA: Gemological Institute of America—the leading independent Gemological laboratory in the U.S.A.
EGL: European Gemological Laboratory—the leading independent Gemological laboratory in the world.
AGS: American Gem Society

The four major components determining a diamond's quality and value are known as the Four C's. Color, Clarity, Cut, and Carat weight. Understanding these four factors and how they interact can help you select a diamond that suits your taste and your pocketbook.

There is one more additional and often overlooked "C" that can greatly impact your search for the right diamond. Certification.

Carat - Refers to the weight of a diamond.

Carat is often confused with size even though it is actually a measure of weight. One carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams. One carat can also be divided into 100 "points." A .75 carat diamond is the same as a 75-points or 3/4 carat diamond. A 1.00 carat diamond costs exactly twice the price of a half-carat diamond, right? Wrong. Larger diamonds are found less frequently in nature, which places them at the rarest level. A 1.00 carat diamond will cost more than twice as much as a 1/2-carat diamond (assuming color, clarity and cut remain constant).

Color - Refers to the degree to which a diamond is colorless.

A diamond's true color is determined by viewing it from its side under balanced white light. Diamonds can range from colorless, which are extremely rare, to a light yellow, brown or gray color. And sometimes we see a natural blue or pink diamond which is extremely rare. Diamonds graded D, E, and F are more rare and therefore more expensive; however, well cut diamonds of other color grades can be equally dazzling. Truly colorless stones, graded D, are treasured for their rarity. Color, however, ultimately comes down to personal taste.

Clarity - Refers to the presence of inclusions in a diamond.

Inclusions are natural identifying characteristics such as minerals or fractures, appearing while diamonds are formed in the earth. They may look like tiny crystals, clouds or feathers. To view inclusions, jewelers use a magnifying loupe. This tool allows jewelers to see a diamond at 10x its actual size so that inclusions are easier to see. The position of inclusions can affect the value of a diamond. There are very few flawless diamonds found in nature, thus these diamonds are much more valuable. Inclusions are ranked on a scale of perfection, known as clarity. The clarity scale, ranging from FL (Flawless) to Included (I), is based on the visibility of inclusions at a magnification of 10x.

Cut - Refers to the angles and proportions of a diamond.

The cut of a diamond is the only factor that we, as humans, can control. An ideal cut allows the diamond's natural brilliance and fire to shine through and increases the gem's value as well. The better a diamond's cut the more brilliant it will shine. If a diamond is cut too deep or too shallow, light is lost through the sides or bottom of the gem making it less brilliant, even dull. This causes the diamond to be less valuable as well because it is not as beautiful and pleasing to the eye as a more precisely cut diamond.

Certification - What certification to ask for with a diamond.

All diamonds are not created equal. When you are buying a Diamond be sure to insist on a Gemological Institute of America (GIA), European Gemological Laboratory (EGL) or an American Gem Society (AGS) diamond grading report. They are by far the most stringent and accurate laboratories in the world. Don't be fooled by a so called better price on a diamond with a questionable report. Compare apples to apples and protect your investment from overstated grading.