THE FOUR Cs OF DIAMONDS

Learning about these factors allows you to make an informed decision when purchasing the rock of your (or someone else’s) dreams.

1. CUT

A common misconception about the cut of a diamond is that it refers to the actual shape of the stone. The cut refers to how well the stone reflects light including each facet. According to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the quality of a stone’s cut is determined by its brightness when exposed to light and how the light scatters across the colour spectrum. The other factor that’s considered is the pattern of dark and light areas caused by the reflection.

2. CARAT

Though equal to 200 metric milligrams, the carat equips jewellers with a much more convenient measurement. A carat can be subdivided into 100 points, which are then used to measure diamonds to a hundredth decimal – useful for when it’s a very light stone (for example, 0.45 carats equals 45 points). As one can expect, the bigger the carat, the more expensive the stone. But two stones of equal weight can have very different price tags, thanks to the other three Cs.

3. COLOUR

Diamonds come in many colours. Putting aside the colourful ones that are rare, hence more valuable, the value of a white diamond is calculated by the absence of colour. A diamond can look practically colourless, which is the best-case scenario. However, as it ages, it can begin to resemble the colour of champagne. Jewellers use an alphabetic scale to determine a diamond’s colour – D for a pristine and clear gem, and Z for a distinctly yellow one.

4. CLARITY

Because diamonds are formed under tremendous heat and pressure, they are subject to imperfections, both above and below their surface. Each of these imperfections factor into the clarity of a stone and whether it is considered an inclusion or blemish. They may not be visible to the naked eye but they have a dramatic effect on how the stone reflects light. The scale of a diamond’s clarity can range from Flawless (FL) to Very Slightly Included (VS1 –VS3), to Included (I1–I3).