Among the world’s precious stones, diamond is the most valuable. It has an exceptional beauty and shine that make it unique. However, not all diamonds are equally valuable. There are four characteristics that determine their value. They are the so-called 4 Cs of diamonds, the guide to follow to discover their rarity.
What are the 4 Cs of diamonds?
When we talk about the 4 Cs of diamonds, we are referring to four characteristics to determine the quality of the precious stone. Each one is important and they are the following: cut, color, clarity and carat weight. The 4 Cs of diamonds influence both the appearance and price of this popular treasure. Below, we look at each of the characteristics in more detail, so you can also get a general idea of the value of these pieces.
Cut of the diamond
The first C and one of the most important is related to the cut of the diamond. This characteristic has a direct impact on the beauty of the supreme precious stone. A good cut enables light to enter the diamond and reflect in such a way that it produces a dazzling sparkle. The more facets the cut of the diamond has, the more intense the sparkle will be. If the professional has done a good job, all of the facets will be aligned and the light will reflect evenly. The round brilliant cut is the most popular, but diamonds can also have a baguette cut, princess cut, oval cut and many more.
Clarity of the diamond
Clarity refers to the purity of the diamond, which in turn is related to the presence of internal imperfections (inclusions) and external imperfections of the precious stone. Given that natural diamonds are created with heat in layers deep in the ground, their formation process means they all naturally contain inclusions or specks. The most popular diamonds are those with the highest clarity, since their sparkle will be more spectacular.
Diamond carats
The third of the 4 Cs of diamonds refers to the carats, a unit of measurement that indicates the weight of a diamond. In general, the larger the diamond, the more valuable and rarer it will be. However, a diamond’s value does not show a linear increase with its weight, since the larger sized diamonds are rarer and, therefore, more expensive. In addition, we must remember that the largest diamond won’t always be the most valuable, given that the other 4 Cs also impact its final value.
Diamond color scale
When talking about diamonds, we usually think of a colorless precious stone, but in reality, they can vary from colorless to yellow or light brown. Yes, it is true that colorless diamonds are the most valuable, because they allow light to pass through the diamond without any obstacles and reflect the whole spectrum of the rainbow. To determine the color, the diamond color scale is used, starting from the letter D (completely colorless) and ending in Z. As you move towards the bottom of the scale, the diamonds tend to have a more perceptible color, which can affect their price.
Tips for choosing a diamond
The 4 Cs of diamonds are fundamental in understanding and valuing this beautiful precious stone. The cut, color, clarity and carat weight work together to determine its quality and value. By knowing the 4 Cs of diamonds, it will be easier to choose your precious stone. If you still aren’t fully ready to buy a piece of diamond jewelry, follow our additional tips and make an informed decision.
- Set a budget: Before any purchase, you should decide how much you are willing to spend to focus on the options that meet your budget. That way, you will save money and won’t regret having spent more than you could afford to later.
- Prioritize your preferences: Determine which of the 4 Cs of diamonds is the most important for you. Do you value the sparkle, absence of color, purity or size of the diamond the most? By being clear about your preferences when it comes to choosing the diamond, you will be able to focus on a smaller selection of jewelry.
- Buy from a trustworthy seller: Don’t buy your diamond jewelry in any store that convinces you by its prices. In the TOUS online store, we offer you a wide range of quality jewelry. Discover our white gold necklaces with diamonds, elegant bracelets, silver earrings and gold earrings, all decorated with the most precious stone on the market.
Knowing the value of what you are buying is an undeniable priority, but remember that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and the most important thing is to find a diamond that matches your style, suits your preferences and makes you sparkle like you deserve.