The 4C’s of Diamond

Every diamond is unique and literally a miracle of time, change, and place. While there are a variety of factors that affect the value and appearance of a diamond, each diamond possesses its specific character that establishes its value.

Previously there were no standard or agreed-upon criteria by which we could judge a diamond - until we entered in the middle of the 20th century. But now the world is using the 4C standard diamond quality as the most accepted and universal method of assessing the value and quality of the diamond, and that is too, all around the world.

But what was the need for establishing the 4C criteria to judge a diamond?

The 4C standard of judging a diamond meant two major aspects; firstly, by following the established standard, the quality of diamond could be communicated through a universal language worldwide and secondly, this helps a buyer to know, what they are actually buying in terms of diamond quality.

Hence, just like a diamond is nothing more than just a stone that has handled the pressure well, you can too, become an expert buyer of the diamond once you completely acquaint yourself with the basic knowledge of the 4C’s as we discuss them below.

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The Most Influential – the Cut

The cut of a diamond does not refer to its shape as in round, pear, oval etc, but to the diamonds’ symmetry, proportions, and polish. A diamond’s beauty immensely depends upon the cut than any other involved factor.

 

Although it is not easy to quantify or analyze but primarily the diamond cut has three effects in terms of appearance;

• Brilliance - the brightness that comes with the reflection of all the white light from the surface and inside of the diamond.

• Fire – the light’s dispersion into visible color spectrum, usually appear as colorful flashes

• Scintillation – the flashes of dark and light, or sparkle, when either light source or diamond is moved.

In determining the cut quality, the grader of diamond evaluates the skill of the cutter in fashioning the diamond. The most captivating diamond for the eyes of the buyer is the one that is most precisely cut

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The Bright Color

Naturally, diamond comes in almost every rainbow color but the most famous one amongst buyers is the white range. The evaluation of the diamonds with gem-quality is based on the color absence. A structurally perfect and chemically pure diamond contains no hue, like a pure water drop, and consequently, it increases the diamond’s value.

 

A good system of color grading measures the colorlessness degree by comparing the stone under precise conditions of viewing and controlled lighting to master stoned of an established value of color.

Color or say brightness of a diamond is the first aspect of a diamond that appeals to a buyer. Whereas diamonds of color gem-quality comes in many hues, from light brown, yellow to even colorless, colorless diamonds is the rarest of all.

However, a diamond with colors such as red, pink, blue for example, are considered as ‘fancy’ and the color grading of these diamonds is quite different from the ones that are colorless. In the bottom line, the more colorless a diamond is, the higher will be its grade.

 

The Flawless Clarity

A diamond’s clarity is actually determined by the location and amount of blemishes, flaws in the diamond. This is measured by viewing the diamond under 10x power magnification. However, most diamonds have very tiny inclusions – the birthmarks.  

 

Considering the process of transforming charcoal into diamond involves a lot of carbon exposure along with tremendous pressure and heat in the deep earth, and that results in causing blemishes, birthmarks or inclusions. An inclusion disrupt and interferes the passing light through the diamond hence, the fewer the birthmarks (inclusions) are, the more gorgeous and bright a diamond will be.

Moreover, evaluating the clarity of a diamond is about determining the size, number, nature, relief, and these characteristics’ position. Plus, the effects created by these factors on the overall appearance of the diamond. Hence, as a buyer, you must understand that no diamond is pure but the closer it gets the higher the value gets.

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The Physical Weight – Carat

The carat is measured in metric carats and it is the physical weight of the diamond. Once carat is about 1/5 grams and is subdivided into another 100 points. Amongst all the 4C’s of diamond, this factor is the most objective grade from a buyer’s point of view.

 

To a buyer, a jeweler may describe the diamond weight in pointers such as twenty-five pointers i.e. 0.25 carats. However, if a diamond weights more than a carat, it is expressed in both carats and the decimal.

A diamonds price is more with more carat weight. This is because a larger diamond is actually rare but has much more demand. But if you choose to go with two diamonds of same weight than the price can be different, depending on the other three C’s of the diamond indeed.

Therefore, if you are searching to get a pure bright colorless diamond, you must only rely on one factor. It is important to understand that the value of a diamond can only be determined by taking into account all 4C’s and not just any one of them.

If you need more information about diamonds then head over to Brio Jewelry.