THE MOST COMMON QUESTIONS
There are two main questions you need to answer. Where and what. We have an article covering where to buy your engagement ring. In this article we cover what features you should focus on when buying a diamond.
Without finding the right balance between the 4cs, you will end up paying too much for some qualities of a diamond while not spending enough on others. Let's say you're thinking of buying a one-carat diamond. If you balance the 4Cs, you can get a stunning diamond like this that has great value. If you ignore this balance, you can end up with a cheap, but incredibly ugly, or you can think "only the best" and spend a fortune on this exquisite gem. But if you follow our recommendations, you can find the perfect balance of quality and value.
The "cut" is probably the most important aspect of a diamond's quality that affects a diamond's beauty. Diamond Cut specifically refers to the quality of a diamond's angles, proportions, symmetrical facets, sparkle, fire, luster, and finishing details. These factors directly affect a diamond's ability to sparkle, along with its overall aesthetic appeal. For example, check out this beautiful piece of jewelry from JA and this horrible selection. The only thing that differentiates the two is their cut.
The GIA diamond cut chart rates diamond cut on a scale of Ideal, Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, and Poor. The Ideal and Excellent grades, depending on the shape of the diamond, indicate proportions and cut angles for maximum sparkle and fire.
Light is reflected through a diamond.
Even if two diamonds have the same grade on the diamond cut chart, the cuts vary significantly between diamonds and diamond cuts. Sometimes, a cutter may aim for a maximum carat weight, leaving the diamond too deep or too shallow for optimal light reflection. Other times a diamond can be cut to minimize the number of inclusions, improving its clarity, but without maximum brilliance. Even a Perfect Cut diamond can have a yellow tint that is very noticeable and detracts from the beauty of the gemstone.
Most importantly, however, is to ensure that the Cut is a focal point of your diamond selection. Even a 2-carat virgin diamond with no flaws or hue can be dull if not cut exceptionally well. Cut is the biggest indicator of beauty and should be prioritized over the other C's. For example, this 1.50 Carat Round Brilliant scores well for every "C" but lacks intense luster.
It is important to note that a top grade designation on the diamond cut chart, such as Excellent, does not necessarily indicate an excellent diamond cut. Almost 55% of all diamonds sold online are perfect cuts. Some are amazing, while others are mediocre. An example of an exquisite brilliant cut diamond is this 1.5 carat round brilliant from James Allen.
Also, you may have heard of triple former diamonds (excellent cut, polish and symmetry). Many people think that these diamonds are worth the premium that some jewelers charge, but the reality is a little different. You can read more in our Triple Excellent article which explains this in depth.
Because the Cut is so important to a diamond's fundamental beauty, it is important to carefully review the Diamond's Cut and seek an expert's eye.
A diamond's color is graded by how white or colorless a diamond is. The GIA grades diamonds from D to Z, with D being the most colorless and Z containing a noticeable brown or yellow tint. The diamond color chart below shows how each category looks next to each other.
While the diamond color chart provides an example of how each category appears, it is important to consider each diamond individually. Depending on the cut, weight and shape of the diamond, color may appear different between diamonds.
Diamond pricing usually reflects grade — sometimes significantly. In most cases, the naked eye cannot tell the difference between two adjacent graded diamonds, although the price difference can be significant.
The most critical aspect with Color is determining whether it appears colorless relative to its setting. You also want to be sure that a diamond is clear of any tint that removes or interferes with the reflections of white and colored light. The K color in this James Allen Cushion Cut Diamond, for example, distracts from the diamond's brilliance, while this James Allen H Color diamond is brilliant.
Sparkle, or sparkle, is created by the way the diamond is cut. It is not worth buying a diamond that distracts from this important main feature.
As a general recommendation, examine each diamond carefully and seek the help of an expert. This is the best way to ensure that you are not paying for a feature (eg very high color quality) that will go unnoticed, or that you are not buying a diamond that distracts or interferes with light reflection.
Note: Some colored diamonds are gems, such as a fancy pink or green diamond. The color grades for these diamonds are distinctly different from traditional "white" diamonds and do not appear on the diamond color chart.
A diamond's clarity grade assesses how clear a diamond is of both inclusions and imperfections. Clarity is graded by the GIA on the following diamond clarity chart:
FL (Flawless)
IF (Internal Flawless)
VVS1 (Includes very little 1)
VVS2 (Very Little Included 2)
VS1 (Very Lightly Included 1)
VS2 (Very Slightly Included 2)
SI1 (Slightly included 1)
SI2 (Slightly included 2)
I1 (Summary 1)
I2 (Summary 2)
Please note that each diamond is slightly different. Instead of sticking to a specific grade on the diamond clarity chart, check each diamond to see if you notice any imperfections.
This diamond clarity grading scale shows and summarizes each degree of clarity. Watch how the visibility of the inclusions changes in the image to the right.
As you move up the diamond clarity chart, you will notice how many more inclusions and imperfections are visible. However, not all imperfections are visible to the naked eye. That's why it's important to look at each individual diamond.
Diamond Clarity Chart
Depending on the size, location and darkness of the spots and inclusions, these imperfections can affect light as it passes through the diamond. When this happens, the brilliance and beauty of the diamond fades, reducing the high quality cut.
For Clarity, our main recommendation is to ensure that the diamond is clear to the eye and that inclusions do not interfere with light reflection.
Check the stone to see if it is clear to the eyes and ask an expert for confirmation. A certificate alone will not tell you how a diamond's imperfections will affect the appearance and brilliance of the stone.
Eye cleanliness is of primary importance.
In our opinion, a consumer's goal should be to find the cheapest (in terms of clarity and other factors matter) "clean" diamond you can find. We use "eye-clean" to describe diamonds that may have inclusions if you look at them with a magnifying glass (or microscope or lens), but the average person cannot see the inclusion with the naked eye.
We recently developed Ringo, a patented artificial intelligence model that can examine videos of diamonds and determine if they are clear to the eye. Ringo will also filter for other parameters, such as making sure the diamond is well cut, has no fluorescence issues, and will match the style setting you choose.
Often, when people hear the term "Carat Weight", they think it refers to the size of the diamond. Carat actually refers to the weight of the diamond, not how big the stone is. A 1-carat diamond is equal to 200 milligrams, or 0.2 grams — and weighs about the same as a quarter of a raisin. Depending on the shape of the diamond and how it was cut, two 1 carat diamonds can be quite different in size.
While carat weight is a factor to consider when purchasing a diamond, overall appearance and brilliance should matter more. For example, a modest 1.5-carat diamond will not shine as brightly—or attract attention—as a spectacular 1.0-carat diamond, no matter how much it weighs. Instead of sticking to a specific number on the diamond carat weight chart, choose an Excellent Cut or Perfect Cut diamond in the shape you desire.
The quality of a diamond is determined by the 4Cs:
Cutting: Quality of angles, proportions, aspects and finishing details.
Color: How colorless the diamond is.
Clarity: How clear the diamond is of inclusions and imperfections.
Carat: The weight of the diamond. These four properties of a diamond are the main components that affect its beauty and structure.
The 4Cs interact with each other within the diamond. They dictate how the diamond appears and how high quality it is. For example, a diamond's ability to reflect light back into your eyes depends primarily on cut quality but also on color and clarity. The four diamond characteristics are graded by professionals on a consistent scale, giving you a tool for evaluating diamonds . By looking at the 4Cs of a particular diamond, you can better determine if the diamond is of high quality.
Even with a basic understanding of the 4 Cs as a guide, navigating the diamond industry can be difficult. From choosing which of the 4 C's to prioritize, to evaluating whether a diamond really lives up to its grade, there's a lot to take in.
The Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat Weight recommendations in this guide should give you a good starting point for your search. It also helps if you shop from a reputable seller, as this dramatically reduces the chance of being ripped off. For the best place to buy an engagement ring, we recommend James Allen, both of which offer top quality customer service and a great range of diamonds at amazing value.
We are here to help you with anything you need in your search for the perfect diamond. If you are not sure how to evaluate a diamond and want to purchase an exceptional diamond that is within your budget,
contact one of our experts for help.
As a general rule, we recommend a high quality cut above all else—as this greatly affects a diamond's beauty and brilliance—while also balancing a fine line in color and clarity to get the best possible result for your money. With the right cut, even a J color like this can be a winner.
Knowing what to look for and how to balance the 4 Cs will help you get the best value for the perfect diamond for you.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR AND WHAT TO AVOID
Prioritize the Cut over all the other 4 C's. For a round diamond, make sure it has an excellent or ideal cut grade. Don't overpay for color and clarity. A higher grade can result in a premium price and no visible difference. Find a balance between each of the 4 C's so that each quality works together to bring out the diamond's beauty.
Avoid placing too much of your budget on carat size while sacrificing too much in other areas. Look for diamonds graded by GIA or AGS, over other labs, to make sure its grades are fair and accurate.Don't just buy a diamond by its qualities. Inspect the diamond yourself to make sure it lives up to its certificate.
Cut is the most important of all diamond characteristics, as it most easily affects the beauty of a diamond. Look for high levels of sparkle and fire and be willing to cut back on other areas like clarity or color to ensure a great cut.
Color: The second most important aspect to focus on. A diamond should appear white or colorless to the naked eye. Make sure the color doesn't distract or interfere with the reflection of white and colored light. Clarity: The third most important feature on the list. Choose a diamond that is clear to the eyes. Blemishes and inclusions should not distract from the sparkle or fire of a diamond.Carat: Last but not least.
Based on how you balanced the other 3 C's, that will determine how big a diamond you end up with. If you balance them all perfectly, you will end up with the greatest possible diamond in your budget that looks fantastic. With these fundamentals in mind, remember that a diamond is a valuable whole and must be viewed as a whole. The four main qualities of a diamond play an important role in the appearance of the diamond.
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has the most sophisticated grading system for evaluating diamond characteristics. They are the most consistent carrier and the one we recommend getting a diamond certificate from. Each of the C's is rated on a scale and can be rated for quality. Although there is some universal terminology and standard grading, it varies from laboratory to laboratory.
The 4 C grades help determine a diamond's value and indicate its quality. Diamond sellers often set their prices based on grading reports. Knowing the basics of these grades is helpful when comparing two similar diamonds, but what remains most important is how the diamond looks to the naked eye - and how attractive the diamond is overall. In this sense, a basic understanding of the 4 C's is imperative as a buyer to avoid blowing your budget on a component that will go unnoticed.
Diamond quality
The 4 C's of diamonds give you a more objective way to measure and evaluate the quality of a diamond. Without the 4 C's, diamond quality is something that is difficult to quantify. Any unscrupulous seller could easily claim that a diamond is of high quality and therefore charge more than it is worth.
It becomes much easier for consumers with a more objective guide to what makes a high or low quality diamond. Each of the 4 C's offers a quantifiable description of its quality in specific areas, in turn making it easier to judge whether or not it is worth its price.
A lab grown diamond (also called a laboratory-created diamond) is a diamond produced in a controlled laboratory environment using advanced technology that replicates the natural conditions under which diamonds form in the Earth’s crust.
Key characteristics:
Same material: They have the same chemical composition (pure carbon), crystal structure, and physical properties as natural diamonds.
Certification: They are graded and certified by the same international gemological laboratories (e.g., GIA, IGI) as natural diamonds.
Differences: The main difference is the origin (natural vs. laboratory) and the price – lab grown diamonds are typically 40–70% less expensive.
Environmental & ethical benefits: They don’t require mining, making them more environmentally friendly and free from “conflict diamond” concerns.
Production methods:
HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature) – simulates high pressure and heat.
CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) – uses carbon-rich gases to form the diamond layer by layer.