The 4 Cs of Diamonds

The 4 Cs are the standard way to measure the beauty, craftsmanship and value of a diamond.

CUT                  CLARITY              COLOR                CARAT

Diamond Cut

The term “diamond cut” refers to the quality of a diamond’s proportions and symmetry. These elements determine how much light a diamond captures and reflects, and therefore how much it sparkles. This is a direct result of the skill of the craftsman who shaped and cut the diamond.

There are four grades of diamond cut: Ideal, Very Good, Good and Poor.

If you compare two diamonds of different cuts grades, you will see that the higher cut grade has significantly more sparkle. There will also be a difference in their prices, with the better cut grade commanding a higher price. Of the 4 Cs, cut is generally recognized as the most important, since it has the greatest impact on a diamond’s appearance and quality.

The Four Diamond Cut Grades

A comparison of the four diamond cut grades.

 

Put Priority On Cut Grade

Given that cut has the most impact on a diamond’s overall appearance, we recommend you put the greatest priority on finding a high quality cut grade. The diamond’s clarity and color should be considered secondary. We do not recommend purchasing a larger (higher carat) diamond if it means sacrificing the quality of the cut.

Round vs Fancy Shaped Diamonds

All diamonds that are not the classic round shape are categorized as “fancy shapes”. Due to the alignment of its facets, only a classic round diamond can earn the Ideal cut grade. This is not to say fancy shaped diamonds are less desirable — far from it. They are graded differently though; if you are seeking a fancy diamond shape such as princess, cushion or radiant, the cut grades to look for are Very Good or Good.

Buying Tip: Cut grade is especially important for square and rectangular diamonds, such as princess, Asscher, radiant and emerald shapes. With these shapes, a Very Good cut grade will ensure a consistent, stunning sparkle and an even distribution of carat weight.

Diamond Clarity

Clarity refers to a diamond’s natural inclusions, or lack thereof. While small marks within a diamond are natural, their appearance can leave something to be desired if they are visible to the unaided eye.

The shape of a diamond can affect the importance of its clarity grade. The facet patterns of the brilliant-cut diamond shapes such as round and princess can hide certain imperfections, but step-cut shapes such as emerald and Asscher have large, open tables that make inclusions more obvious.

The lowest clarity grade within the Ritani diamond inventory is SI2. These diamonds may have small visible inclusions. If you are searching for a step-cut diamond, we suggest a minimum clarity grade of VS2.

If you want to rest assured that your diamond will display a clean and stunning brilliance, a clarity grade of VVS2 or higher is recommended for all diamond shapes.