The 4Cs of Diamonds: Understanding Diamond Quality and Value
The 4Cs of diamond
The 4Cs of diamond are widely recognized as the standard grading system used to assess the quality and describe the characteristics of a diamond. They are as follows:
- Carat
- Clarity
- Color
- Cut (Size)
These factors help determine the market value of a diamond.
Carat
The weight of a diamond is measured in carats , which corresponds to 0.2 g . The word " carat " comes from the carob , the fruit of a shrub from India, whose seed , once dried, weighs 0.2 g. It served as a reference weight during Antiquity for weighing gems.
Clarity
The imperfections of a diamond define its purity . These are tiny crystals inside the diamond, similar to fingerprints , which allow each diamond to be identified, thus making them unique .
A stone is said to be " without flaw " if, when subjected to a magnification of x10, it shows neither inclusions nor spots .
Color
The whiter a diamond is, the rarer and more precious it is. A diamond's color is determined by placing it on very white paper and examining it under a specific lamp, called a daylight lamp .
Colored diamonds (yellow, pink, blue, etc.) are rare . It is estimated that there is one colored diamond for every 10,000 white diamonds .
Cut (Size)
Cutting is the process that transforms a rough diamond into a cut diamond. Performed by human hands, it determines the brilliance, shape, and proportions of the gem.
The glossy shape is the most common, but there are other shapes called " Fancy Shapes " such as:
- Oval
- Emerald
- Pear
- Marquise
- Heart
Thanks to the 4Cs of diamond , it is possible to accurately assess the quality and value of a diamond.
