The 4 C's of a Diamond

February 09, 2024
by Lilywho Ltd

Colour:

What is the ideal colour for a diamond? The closer a diamond is to colourless, the more valuable it becomes. Diamond colour is graded on a scale from D (colourless) to Z (light yellow or brown). While slight colour variations may seem unnoticeable to the untrained eye, they will significantly impact a diamond's appearance and its value.

Clarity:

Tiny dots or marks inside a diamond can influence how valuable the diamond is. Clarity is graded based on how small these imperfections are, or the absence of these imperfections altogether. Clarity grades start at Flawless. Diamonds with less flaws are considered more valuable due to their rarity and purity. At Lilywho we recommend VS clarity meaning very small inclusions. VS clarity diamonds rarely have imperfections visible to the naked eye.

Cut:

The cut is often considered the most critical factor in determining a diamond's beauty. The cut of a diamond is more than just shaping it; it's about maximizing its brilliance and its sparkle. A well-cut diamond reflects light in a way that dazzles the eye. The top-grade cut of a diamond is Ideal/Excellent. Followed by Very Good (VG), Good (G), Fair (F) and Poor (P). A diamond with an Excellent cut grade, will sparkle a lot more than a diamond with a lower cut grade.

Carat Weight:

Carat weight, often associated with size, is the weight of the diamond. Each carat is subdivided into 100 points. So a 50 point diamond is half a carat. A Diamond that weighs greater than one carat is expressed in carats and decimals. A 1.25ct diamond is a 1¼ ct. If the other C’s being colour, cut, and clarity are all equal, diamond prices increase as sizes go up. Its important to know that two diamonds of equal carat weight can have very different values depending on those three other factors!

In essence, the 4Cs serve as a guide for exploring the world of both lab diamonds and mined diamonds.

Whether you're choosing a ring for an engagement or another special occasion, understanding these fundamental principles allows you to make a more informed decision.

Love Lily x