Guide To The 4Cs

The Complete Guide To The 4Cs

LAB GROWN DIAMONDS

Diamonds are graded and characterized by four main characteristics, which were originally created by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). These four characteristics are color, clarity, cut, and carat weight, the 4Cs. Use this guide to learn about the 4Cs and familiarize yourself with the essential diamond characteristics that will make your diamond selection a more informed and streamlined process.

What the 4C’s are for Lab Grown Diamonds

The GIA International Diamond Grading System was developed to standardize how diamonds are graded across the world, ensuring that buyers everywhere can make informed decisions based on a universal set of criteria.

This system, which revolves around the 4Cs of diamond grading—cut, color, clarity, and carat weight—is detailed on the GIA diamond grading chart. Significantly, this grading system has been embraced by leading gemological institutes and bodies globally, including the International Gemological Institute (IGI). Notably, IGI set a precedent as the first major diamond grading laboratory to extend the 4Cs grading to Lab Grown Diamonds.

Learn the secrets of the 4Cs of diamond grading to shop like a seasoned expert, ensuring your diamond selection delivers peak quality and unmatched value.

Diamond Cut

A diamond’s cut doesn’t just refer to its shape; it determines how well the diamond captures and refracts light, which produces its inimitable sparkle. Well-cut diamonds are extremely brilliant, fiery, and desirable. Poor-cut diamonds, on the other hand, can appear dull and dark even if they have a high grade of color or clarity.

The intense radiance of well-cut diamonds also gives them the illusion of appearing larger than other diamonds of the same carat weight. Ideal diamonds have elevated levels of brilliance and diameter compared to diamonds with deeper cuts.

Cut is often considered the most important characteristic of the 4C’s. This is because it has the biggest impact on the diamond’s overall appearance and quality. Jewelers recommend paying attention to the cut of a diamond above all else.

Types Of Diamond Cuts

The diamond’s proportions and symmetry define the quality of the cut. A high-quality cut can only be created by a highly skilled craftsman. Diamonds are graded according to a scale from Ideal to Poor. Even the untrained eye will notice that diamonds with higher cut grades are more sparkly than those with lower cut grades.

Ideal Cut diamonds have outstanding sparkle and flawless symmetry. They are cut to perfect proportions for refracting light. Excellent Cut diamonds have exceptional sparkle and even patterns. Very Good Cut diamonds have great sparkle and polish. They are considered symmetrical.

Good Cut diamonds have a fine sparkle. They have a reasonable level of polish and symmetry. Fair Cut diamonds have a low level of sparkle and polish. They are not always symmetrical. Poor Cut diamonds appear dim and asymmetrical, with uneven spots on their surface.

Round & Fancy Shape Diamond Cuts

Only round brilliant diamonds can have an Ideal Cut. The alignments of their facets make it easy to cut perfect proportions for optimal sparkle and symmetry. Fancy shaped diamonds such as oval, pear, and emerald have different facet alignments, which makes it difficult to attain Ideal Cut level. However, this does not mean that fancy shaped diamonds are poor quality. They can still attain Excellent grades and offer exceptional brilliance and fire. Brides who desire unique shapes shouldn’t feel like they’re sacrificing quality or beauty when choosing a fancy shaped diamond. Seek out diamonds with Excellent polish and symmetry grades to ensure you’re getting a high-quality stone that highlights your individuality.