Understanding Diamond 4Cs: Cut, Color, Clarity & Carat

Discover the essentials of diamond quality with our guide on the 4Cs - Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat. Learn how each factor affects a diamond's value and beauty.

Anatomy of a Diamond A Gem of Precision - Unveiling Every Facet

Diamonds are more than just beautiful stones; they're masterpieces of precision. Each gem is meticulously crafted, and every angle plays a crucial role in its brilliance. Understanding the anatomy of a diamond helps you appreciate its value beyond the 4Cs. Let’s explore the key components that make diamonds shine.

The 4Cs of Diamonds

Choosing the perfect diamond can feel overwhelming, but understanding the 4Cs Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat simplifies the process. These universal standards help assess a diamond’s quality and value, empowering you to make an informed choice. Here's a breakdown of each C and how it affects the overall beauty and price of a diamond.

Cut

DIAMONDS THAT MAKE THE CUT, SHINE THE BRIGHTEST.

Title

At Glam Jewels, we believe the cut is the heart of a diamond’s beauty. The cut doesn’t just define its shape - it determines how well the diamond is polished, how perfectly its facets are aligned, and how harmoniously its proportions interact to create brilliance.

 

A finely crafted cut allows light to travel through the diamond and return in a dazzling burst of sparkle. When a diamond has the right depth, symmetry, and angles, the light bounces back through the top of the stone, creating that iconic, radiant fire. If the diamond is cut too deep or too shallow, the light escapes through the sides or bottom, reducing overall shine.

Title

DIAMOND CUT GRADE CHART

Excellent Cut

Excellent Cut diamonds reflect nearly all the light that enters the stone, giving exceptional sparkle and dispersion. These are among the most sought-after and visually stunning cuts.

Very Good Cut

Very Good Cuts offer brilliant shine with only minimal light loss. These diamonds appear extremely lively and are a superb choice for balancing beauty and value.

Good Cut

Good Cut diamonds return a large portion of entering light, offering appealing brilliance at a more budget-friendly price. still shine beautifully but not as intensely as high grade cuts.

Fair Cut

Fair Cut diamonds showcase limited brilliance. They may be suitable for smaller stones or designs where brilliance is not the main focus.

Poor Cut

Poorly cut diamonds lose most of their light through the sides or bottom, resulting in a dull, lackluster appearance.
Title
Title

Color

WHEN IT COMES TO DIAMONDS, THE MORE COLORLESS, THE HIGHER THE VALUE

Title

Color plays a meaningful role in a diamond’s appearance, but what truly matters is how colorless the stone is. The whiter or more transparent a diamond appears, the more rare and valuable it becomes. As we move down the color scale, diamonds begin developing soft yellow undertones that subtly diminish their value.

 

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) grades diamond color from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow), helping buyers understand the degree of color present in each stone.

 

A yellowish tint can reduce a diamond’s brilliance, while a colorless diamond allows maximum light to pass through, resulting in superior sparkle and fire. Interestingly, diamond color can be very subtle - many people won’t immediately notice slight tints, especially in smaller stones. This is why focusing on the cut and clarity is equally important when choosing your diamond, while Colorless and Near-Colorless grades generally offer the best visual appeal.

 

Diamonds also absorb and reflect colors from their surroundings - especially the metal they are set in. Because of this, a diamond with a slight tint can often look stunning in yellow or rose gold, as the warm metal complements and blends with the diamond’s natural tone. In contrast, a truly colorless stone is best highlighted in white gold or platinum, where its purity and brightness can stand out without interference.
Title

Clarity

THERE’S CLEAR. THERE’S FLAWLESS. THEN THERE ARE GLAM JEWELS' DIAMONDS.

Title

Clarity refers to the purity of a diamond - the number of natural inclusions or surface blemishes present and how visible they are. These tiny characteristics form during the diamond’s creation and are completely natural. Gemologists evaluate these internal and external features under 10x magnification to determine the clarity grade of each stone.

 

Diamonds that show little to no inclusions, graded FL (Flawless) and IF (Internally Flawless), are exceptionally rare and highly prized for their purity and brilliance.

 

Other premium clarity grades such as VVS1, VVS2 (Very Very Slight Inclusions) and VS1, VS2 (Very Slight Inclusions) contain microscopic inclusions that are extremely difficult to detect even under magnification. These grades offer an excellent balance of beauty and value while maintaining a clean, eye-perfect appearance.

 

Even diamonds graded SI1 and SI2 (Slight Inclusions) can be worthwhile choices, as their inclusions are often not visible to the naked eye and still allow the stone to sparkle beautifully.

 

At Glam Jewels, we hand-select each diamond to ensure the clarity supports maximum brilliance and visual appeal, giving you a piece that is as radiant as it is refined.
Title

Carat

THE HIGHER THE CARAT, THE GREATER THE DIAMOND’S WEIGHT AND PRESENCE.

Title

Carat is the unit used to measure the weight of a diamond. While often mistaken for the physical size of the stone, “carat” strictly represents weight, not dimensions.

 

One carat equals 0.2 grams or 1/142 of an ounce. Among the 4Cs, carat weight is the easiest to measure, requiring highly sensitive scales capable of weighing even the most delicate gemstones with precision.

 

When it comes to rarity and value, carat plays a major role. Larger diamonds are significantly harder to find in nature than smaller ones, which instantly makes them more valuable. Because of this rarity, the price of a diamond doesn’t increase in a straight line - it increases exponentially.

 

For example, a single 2-carat diamond of the same quality is far more valuable than two 1-carat diamonds combined. Simply put: the larger the carat weight, the rarer, more desirable, and more valuable the diamond becomes.

 

At Glam Jewels, each diamond is carefully selected to ensure that its carat weight is beautifully complemented by ideal proportions, brilliance, and overall presence giving you a piece that looks as stunning as it feels luxurious.

Certifications

Think of a certification as your diamond's passport. It verifies its authenticity and quality. Every solitaire diamond we offer is carefully examined and graded by renowned organizations like the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Hoge Raad voor Diamant (HRD), and the International Gemological Institute (IGI). These certifications are your assurance that the diamond meets the highest global standards.

Why it Matters:

A certified diamond gives you peace of mind, knowing exactly what you're paying for. It's the ultimate proof of quality and value!

Our Commitment to Excellence

We take pride in offering more than just jewelry. Here are four promises that define our commitment to you:

Title

Ethical Sourcing

Each diamond and gemstone is ethically sourced, ensuring sustainability and a conflict-free origin.


 

Superior Craftsmanship

Our pieces are crafted with precision and attention to detail, guaranteeing lasting quality.


 

Custom Designs

We create unique jewelry tailored to your style and preferences for a truly personal touch.


 

Lifetime Support

Enjoy comprehensive care with lifetime maintenance, resizing, and expert guidance.