The Four C’s of Diamond Quality

The Four C’s of Diamond Quality

The four C’s provide jewelers and diamond collectors with a handy reference guide by which to ascertain the quality of a diamond. By familiarizing yourself with the four C’s, you can determine the approximate value of a diamond with relative ease.

 

Carat

 

The first C, carat, is simply the way the industry measures the weight of a diamond. Larger, heavier diamonds are rarer, and as a result are worth more money. Each carat denotes 200 mg.

 

Color

 

This one is a bit tricky. Unless we’re assessing the value of a red or black diamond, this ‘C’ doesn’t strictly refer to a diamond’s color. Rather, it refers to a diamond’s lack of color. Diamonds that are more chemically and structurally perfect have no hue, are more transparent, and are consequently more valuable.

 

Clarity

 

The clarity of a diamond is determined by the presence of blemishes that diminish the diamond’s purity. In order to evaluate a diamond’s clarity, jewelers must take into account the size, position, and overall effect of these blemishes on the diamond’s appearance. The Gem Institute of America (GIA) has established a scale of 6 categories, ranging from Flawless to Included, to assess a diamond’s clarity. The term “Included” refers to internal undesirable features called inclusions in a diamond.

 

Cut

 

The cut of a diamond refers to how it was cut from its original, rocky shape into its final, recognizable diamond shape. There are a few different popular cuts – the brilliant, princess, emerald, and cushion – all of which are available in different carats. Rather than being a strict indication of value, the quality of the cut is subject to the preference of the person wearing the diamond.

 

At Frank Pollak & Sons, we’ve been evaluating the quality of fine diamond jewelry for over a century. We have the experience and industry know-how to quickly and accurately assess the value of your diamond jewelry. Give us a call or stop in today to learn more.

 

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