The 4Cs of Diamonds: Clarity, Color, Cut and Carat

Diamonds: they’re the most sought-after precious gemstones, but how does one gauge their quality? Before you buy a diamond, it’s good to educate yourself on the 4Cs of diamonds, where these standards came from, and what they mean to you.

Before the middle of the last century, there weren’t any specific standards people could use to evaluate a diamond. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) changed all that. The official GIA standards charts were soon adopted throughout the world, and today, they’re the accepted benchmark we use to determine diamond quality and value.

The diamond grading standards are:

  • Diamond color
  • Diamond clarity
  • Diamond cut
  • Diamond carat (weight)

Color

Color-Chart-4cs of Diamonds - Jaume Labro Custom Jewelry

The GIA uses a diamond color scale, rating diamonds with the least amount of color as being the most valuable. It reasons that a pure diamond that contains no other chemical elements will be as colorless as a water droplet.

Color ratings range from D (colorless) to Z (light). The GIA has designated a broader categorization that groups colors into categories. These are:

  • D-F: colorless
  • D-J: near-colorless
  • K-M: faint
  • N-R: very light
  • S-Z: light

You might well be wondering how the GIA distinguishes between colors. After all, they look very similar to us. Gemologists study stones under magnification in controlled lighting conditions to determine their color. With the naked eye, even experts would struggle to differentiate between colors.

Clarity

Clarity-Chart-4cs of diamonds-Jaume Labro Custom Jewelry

The key to determining the clarity set by GIA is as follows:

  • FL-IF: flawless and internally flawless. No inclusions are visible under 10x magnification
  • VVS1-VVS2: Very, very slightly included. Inclusions are very difficult to see under 10x magnification, even when a trained diamond grader examines the stone.
  • VS1-VS2: Very slightly included. Under 10x magnification inclusions can be seen, but it takes some effort to spot them.
  • SI1-SI2: Slightly included: Inclusions are relatively easy to see under 10X magnification.
  • I1 and I2-I3: Included: It’s very easy to spot the inclusions under 10x magnification. At this point, inclusions begin to affect the brilliance of the diamond.

When diamonds are formed under the earth’s crust, they are subjected to heat and pressure Almost any element present in the earth’s crust can be included in a diamond through ion implantation. When these elements become incorporated into the diamond, they are called “inclusions.” Most diamonds have inclusions of one kind or another, and absolutely flawless diamonds are considered extremely rare and valuable.

Absolutely flawless diamonds are considered extremely rare and valuable.

That said, most inclusions cannot be seen without magnification because they are so subtle. The location of the inclusion is also important. To standardize the way in which inclusions are evaluated, the GIA created the diamond clarity table.

Along with diamond color, clarity plays an important role in determining value.

Cut

In another blog post, we discussed the so-called “ideal cut” diamonds, though the GIA doesn’t recognize this term. However, the GIA agrees that good quality craftsmanship on the part of the gem cutter will affect the overall appearance of a diamond. Concurrently, it observes that evaluating the cut of a diamond is a complex process.

Cut-Chart-4cs of diamonds - Jaume Labro Custom Jewelry

To evaluate cut, the GIA looks at the proportions of different parts of a diamond. These proportions determine the following characteristics:

  • Brightness: How much light the diamond reflects
  • Fire: How colors of light are split into a rainbow spectrum when passing through the stone.
  • Scintillation: The pattern of lighter and darker areas which create a diamond’s sparkle.

The GIA diamond cut chart classifies cut into five categories: excellent, very good, good, fair and poor.

Carat

“Carat” refers to the measurement of a gemstone, based on its weight. One carat is the equivalent of 200mg. Each carat can be further divided into “points” weighing 2mg each. This allows the GIA to provide a very accurate measurement of a diamond’s weight.

Carat-Chart-4cs of diamonds - Jaume Labro Custom Jewelry

Larger stones would ordinarily be considered more valuable than smaller ones, but color, clarity, and cut play a substantial role in a stone’s worth. For example, a larger stone with a higher weight may cost less than a smaller stone.

Is There a 5th C?

Retailers will often talk about “certification” as being the 5th C, however, the GIA does not recognize this. Although many people refer to GIA diamond reports as “certificates,” this terminology isn’t quite accurate.

The GIA certainly produces reports though, which is one of the most authoritative ways of judging a gem’s value. When purchasing a diamond, you should find out whether you will get a report with the stone so you can be confident of its value.

When purchasing a diamond, you should find out whether you will get a report with the stone so you can be confident of its value.

The only time this doesn’t apply is when the diamond is very small. With such a stone, the cost of having it evaluated by the GIA will do nothing but inflate its price beyond its true value.

What Do All These Ratings Mean When Choosing a Diamond?

GIA recognizes all gem-quality diamonds as valuable precious stones, but its diamond ratings determine the value of the stone. If you want the most valuable diamond you can get, you would certainly choose a flawless or internally flawless stone that is colorless and has an excellent cut.

Alternatively, you might decide that inclusions which can only be seen under magnification (and with great difficulty) don’t matter to you. After all, once the diamond is set in an engagement ring or fine jewelry item, even a trained jeweler would be hard-pressed to spot any imperfections.

Choose GIA Certified Diamonds from Jaume Labro

At Jaume Labro, we recognize the value of personal choice. What if a GIA top-rated diamond turns out to be much smaller than your budget allows? Some of the distinctions that gemologists make can only be determined in a lab and under magnification! This is particularly true when you look at the diamond color scale and diamond clarity scale. You may even decide that you’d prefer your diamond to have a touch of evident color!

When you choose a stone from Jaume Labro, you have the assurance of knowing that your diamond has been independently valued by the world authorities in the field using GIA Diamond Charts and the 4Cs of diamonds. While personal value may not be quantifiable, Jaume Labro will provide you with original GIA certification that indicates the intrinsic value of your precious stone.

When you choose a stone from Jaume Labro, you have the assurance of knowing that your diamond has been independently valued by GIA.

At Jaume Labro, we want you to help you choose the diamond of your dreams. Our website features an area where you can see just how changes in the 4Cs of diamonds would affect the overall appearance and value of your diamond, allowing you to make an informed choice. Begin by browsing diamonds, or contact Jaume Labro with any questions.

Should You Choose an Ideal Cut Diamond?

Buying a diamond is an exciting event in anyone’s life, but one soon discovers that there are many factors to consider. You will see that so-called “Ideal Cut Diamonds” are available, but you will also see that this designation affects price quite substantially. So what does it mean, and how important is it to seek out ideal cut diamonds when choosing a conflict-free diamond from Jaume Labro?

Join us as we take an in-depth look at the wonderful, sparkling world of these precious stones.

What is an Ideal Cut Diamond?

In the early part of the twentieth century, a Polish diamond cutter named Marcel Tolkowsky examined the effect of cut on the way diamonds reflected light, known as ‘brilliance’. He also looked at the way diamonds split the light spectrum into “fire”, or a variety of colors. Tolkowsky proposed an exact set of proportions that stone cutters should use to get the greatest amount of brilliance and fire from round or brilliant diamonds.

Today, Tolkowsky’s concept has developed and branched out. Various companies have their own specifications for ideal diamond proportions. There are six different interpretations of the concept in use today. Tolkowsky’s original ideal cut proportions are still used, but some retailers create their own standards based on data that can include computer modeling.

Why Are There So Many Different Ideal Diamond Dimensions?

Diamond Ring, Ideal Cut Diamond Dimensions, Jaume Labro Custom and Ethical Jewelry

Some retailers will assure their clients that there is only one ideal cut when this couldn’t be farther from the truth: Gemologists know that there are various combinations of ideal cut diamond dimensions. These live up to the original parameters of brilliance and fire that Tolkowsky wanted to achieve, yet they may differ quite substantially from the proportions he proposed.

We classify diamonds as having an ideal cut when the proportions fall within a range of limits. However, the client is the ultimate decision-maker. Just because a stone is classified as having an ideal cut, doesn’t mean it will look as good to the buyer or in an engagement ring as a diamond with slightly different proportions.

Gemologists know that there are various combinations of ideal cut diamond dimensions.

GIA Ideal Cut Diamond Proportions

Whenever we need to know the facts about diamonds, it’s best to see what the world’s most respected authorities have to say. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is the best place to start looking for information. After all, the GIA is the world’s leading organization in certifying diamonds, so no institution has a greater knowledge of ideal diamond dimensions.

Interestingly, the GIA does not certify any diamond as having an ideal cut. It does not consider the proportions of a diamond as reflecting the true quality of the stone. Jaume Labro, a GIA-trained gemologist, agrees with this point of view. Most round brilliants we find on the market today are not ideal cut diamond dimensions, and yet they have all the brilliance and fire you could wish for. The bottom line? There is no GIA ideal cut.

The Theory Behind Perfect Diamond Dimensions

Perfect Diamond Dimensions - Jaume Labro Custom and Ethical Jewelry

The diagram above illustrates the parts of a diamond and the proportions it must have to qualify as an ideal cut.

  • Table diameter: 52.4% to 57.5%
  • Crown Angle: 33.7 degrees to 35.8 degrees
  • Girdle Thickness: Thin to Slightly Thick (.51% to 2.95%)
  • Pavilion Angle: 40.2 degrees to 41.25 degrees
  • Culet: None (Pointed) to Medium
  • Total Depth: 56.88% to 63.92%

However, it’s important to remind ourselves that cut isn’t everything. An ideal cut diamond will not guarantee you the best appearance and value. Factors such as polish and symmetry also matter, and several inherent qualities of the stone such as its color and clarity also come into play.

The buyer should beware of sellers who highlight ideal cut diamond proportions as the primary selling point for a stone. In many cases, they are not fully informed as to what constitutes a perfect cut. Although cut affects value, attaching the value of a stone solely to its cut is questionable.

The buyer should beware of sellers who highlight ideal cut diamond proportions as the primary selling point for a stone.

What You Need to Know About Ideal Cut Diamond Dimensions

While it’s true that a diamond cutter’s talents enhance the beauty of gemstones – and that some cutters have greater expertise – cut is only one factor to consider when choosing an ethical diamond from Labro. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide what is “ideal” for you. The perfect diamond cut proportions are really the ones that suit your personal preferences.

This is why Labro has created an online tool that allows you to see how various options affect the look of a diamond. Labro’s highly qualified staff are available to answer any questions you may have. Our goal is to provide you with an exceptional diamond that’s perfect for you. As an individual, your tastes and preferences may differ from others, as it should be.

Learn More and Get Help From Experts

Jaume Labro Custom and Ethical Jewelry, Ideal Diamond Cut, GIA

Learning more about diamonds is easy with Jaume Labro. Although not all our diamonds fit ideal cut proportions, every one of them is a fine stone, carefully selected by master gemologists. Each stone is supplied with its certification from the GIA, but you’ll notice that the GIA doesn’t consider an ideal cut to be particularly important.

Unless you have already set your heart on a diamond with this characteristic, don’t allow yourself to be persuaded to choose an ideal cut diamond over one you have already seen and liked. The brilliance and fire of rare and beautiful diamond does not rely on perfect diamond cut proportions alone.

Differences between cuts will have some effect on appearance, but in most cases, this will only be discernible when diamonds are viewed out of their setting using specialized equipment. A gem-quality diamond is a rare and beautiful stone of great value, regardless of whether it is ideal cut or not.

Feel free to contact us if you need a little advice from the experts. We are here to help you make the perfect decision based on what you want from a diamond.

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