The 4Cs of Diamonds
Cut: The Essence of Brilliance
When it comes to the 4 Cs, Cut plays the most significant role in a diamond’s overall brilliance and beauty. It’s important to note that cut is not the same as shape—for example, “round” or “oval” refers to shape, not cut quality.
Cut grades are assigned only to Round Brilliant diamonds. For all other shapes—like emerald, cushion, or pear—there’s no official “cut” grade. Instead, they are evaluated based on polish and symmetry.That means for fancy shapes, the beauty of the stone becomes more subjective, depending on what you're drawn to and the aesthetic you're envisioning. Our job is to guide you toward the perfect stone that aligns with your vision.
Color: The Subtle Spectrum
In white diamonds, color refers to the presence—or absence—of yellow or brown tint within the stone.
Diamonds are graded on a scale from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow )
D–F: Colorless — rare and most valuable
G–J: Near Colorless — offer excellent value with minimal tint
K-M: Faint Yellow — More visible yellow or brown tones. May suit vintage or yellow gold settings.
N–Z: Very Light to Light Color— Obvious color presence and often fall into the champagne diamond category.
Some shapes—like Round and Emerald—hide color better than others such as Pear or Oval.
Clarity: Nature's Signature
Clarity refers to the natural inclusions within a diamond, formed during its creation. Most are microscopic and don’t affect a stone’s beauty. Graded from Flawless to Included, clarity is assessed under 10x magnification—but what matters most is how the diamond looks to the naked eye.
For Brilliant cuts, SI and above is typically “eye clean.” For Step-cuts, like Emeralds, we suggest starting at VS and above for a clearer look. We always recommend choosing a stone that speaks to you visually—not just on paper.
Carat Weight: Measure of Presence
Carat measures a diamond’s weight, and pricing increases with size due to rarity. That said, carat isn’t always the best indicator of how big a diamond looks—proportions and cut matter just as much.
We recommend starting with your budget, exploring a range of color and clarity options, and finding the right balance between size and overall beauty.