Love is like a diamond. It is perfectly one-of-a-kind, resilient and radiant. Just like no two diamonds are alike, no two relationships are the same. When selecting the stone for your sweetheart’s engagement ring, you want one that is distinct, reflecting your unique love.
It’s crucial to pick a diamond that represents your singular story. If you’re not sure where to begin, we recommend starting with the 4 C’s. Cut, color, clarity and carats are the criteria that every diamond in the world is evaluated on. They were established by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in the 1940’s. Since then, they’ve reigned as the worldwide diamond evaluation standard. By being aware of these factors, you can select the diamond that best suits your setting, budget and incredible love story.
Cut
Because it has the most influence on the diamond’s look, many people assume that the cut is the most significant of the four C’s. Some think it refers to the shape of the diamond, such as round, pear, princess and oval. However, it actually describes how the diamond is proportioned and faceted, creating the ideal symmetry to reflect the maximum amount of light. In short, the cut affects how light flows through the diamond, producing sparkle and shine.
According to the GIA grading system, the cut is rated as Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair and Poor. We recommend sticking with an Excellent to Very Good range to reveal the full radiance of your diamond.
Color
The second most significant C is color, which actually describes a diamond’s lack of color. Diamonds naturally come in a variety of colors including gray, white, yellow, green, brown and pink. But the highest quality and rarest diamonds are colorless, making them almost icy in appearance. GIA values color on a scale of D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown). D, E, F graded diamonds will cost more than diamonds lower on the scale, such as K diamonds, which have a faint color.
A hint of color isn’t always a terrible thing. For instance, certain metals and different settings are known to impact the color. A diamond with a K rating may not be as rare or high quality as a D or even an F, but it may pair beautifully with that yellow gold solitaire setting you have your eye on. Diamonds with a lower rating will also cost less.
Clarity
Clarity describes how a diamond’s natural flaws are evaluated. Surface flaws are known as "blemishes" while internal defects are called "inclusions". The highest clarity grades are given to the diamonds with the fewest inclusions, making them more valuable.
But diamonds are unique, not perfect. Natural diamonds are born in the depths of the earth’s crust under high pressure and temperature. This means that inclusions and blemishes will inevitably occur. In fact, less than 1% of all diamonds are categorized as "flawless", because it’s rare to find a diamond free of inclusions.
Carat
The term carat is often misunderstood. It refers to the diamond’s actual weight, not the diamond’s size. The word carat comes from "carob" seed, the original unit of weight used by diamond traders. Today a carat weighs about as much as a paperclip.
Two diamonds with the same carat weight may cost differently, depending on the cut, color and clarity.
Uncover Your Perfect Diamond at Diamond Center Jewelers
If you’re ready to continue your love story by popping the question, we’re here to help you find the perfect diamond for your engagement ring. At Diamond Center Jewelers, we have an incredible selection of diamonds for you to choose from. Check out our handy Diamond Search Tool to explore your options, from shape to every one of the four 4 C’s. If you discover a stone you adore, visit one of our two locations today and we’ll get you squared away with the diamond of your dreams.
