Understanding the 4Cs: The 4Cs are the essential criteria for evaluating a diamond's quality: Carat (weight), Color, Clarity, and Cut. Take the time to familiarize yourself with these terms and to determine which characteristics are most important to you.
Carat: The weight of a diamond is measured in carats, with one carat equaling 0.2 grams. The higher the carat weight, the more precious the diamond is considered. However, greater weight does not necessarily guarantee better quality.
Cut: The cut of a diamond determines its brilliance and sparkle. A quality cut maximizes light reflection through the stone, making the diamond more dazzling. The most popular cuts include the round brilliant, princess, emerald, and oval.
Color: Diamonds are graded on a color scale ranging from D (colorless) to Z (yellow or brown hue). Colorless diamonds are the rarest and most valuable. However, some prefer diamonds with a slight hue for their unique character.
Clarity: A diamond's clarity is determined by the number, size, and location of inclusions (internal impurities) and surface imperfections. Diamonds with fewer inclusions and blemishes are rarer and more valuable.