Diamond Education

Our diamond education is the most comprehensive diamond buying guide designed to answer all your questions. We address the 4 C’s of diamonds (carat, cut, color and clarity) and beyond so you can make the best decision when buying a diamond. Diamonds are considered the world’s most precious gemstones. They are traditionally used for engagement rings and other jewelry as a symbol of love and commitment. Buying a diamond is an important personal, financial, and emotional decision. Our gemologists are experts on the subject and provide invaluable guidance so you can shop with confidence in a pressure free environment.

The 4 Cs Of Diamonds

The 4 Cs, as they are known within the jewelry industry, are the standard way to measure the craftsmanship, beauty, and value of a diamond.

1. Cut: Given that cut has the most impact on a diamond’s overall appearance, we recommend you make this top priority.

2. Color: A diamond’s color grade actually measures how little color it reflects.

3. Carat: Is the measurement of how much a diamond weighs. Carat is also related to size.

4. Clarity: Clarity refers to a diamond’s natural inclusions, or lack thereof.

1. Cut

Diamond cut is the summary of a diamond’s proportions evaluated using the attributes of brilliance, fire, and sparkle. While high marks of color or clarity affect a diamond, it’s the cut that defines its proportions and ability to reflect light.

The Diamond cut scale is measured from Poor to Excellent. The Cut Grade of a diamond directly impacts its beauty; if a diamond is designed, cut, and finished properly, it will have a much more desirable appearance, even when compared to diamonds of higher color and clarity grades.

Excellent Cut: Enormous sparkle. Exceptional polish and symmetry.

Very Good Cut: Lots of sparkle. Great polish and symmetry.

Good Cut: Good amount of sparkle. Sufficient polish and symmetry.

Fair Cut: Will not sparkle very much. Unsatisfactory polish and symmetry.

Poor Cut: Will not sparkle very much. Unsatisfactory polish and symmetry.

Round vs Fancy Shaped Diamonds

All diamonds that are not the classic round shape are categorized as fancy shapes. Due to the alignment of its facets, only a classic round diamond can earn the excellent cut grate. This is not to say fancy shaped diamonds are less desirable – far from it. They are graded differently though; if you are seeking a fancy diamond shape, such as princess, cushion, or radiant, the cut grades to look for are “very good”.

Put Priority on Cut Grade

Given that cut has the most impact on a diamond’s overall appearance, we recommend you make this top priority. The diamond’s color and clarity should be considered second. We do not recommend purchasing a larger diamond if it means sacrificing the quality of the cut.

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2. Color

Though it may seem contradicting, a diamond’s color grade actually measures how little color it reflects.

The diamond color grading scale begins with “D” and ranges down to “Z”. A diamond assigned a grade of “D” has absolutely no color — it looks pure white, even to a gemologist inspecting it carefully under 10X magnification. On the other hand, a diamond assigned a grade of “Z” looks yellow or brownish.

Colorless (D, E, F): Pairs well with platinum, palladium, and white gold.

Near-Colorless (G, H, I, J): Pairs well with white, yellow, or rose gold.

Noticeable Color (K, L): Pairs well with yellow gold or rose gold.

Tip

While diamonds in the “colorless” category reflect the purest white light, it is hard for most consumers to see any color in the “near-colorless” category. But if you want the purest white diamond, select one that’s “colorless” and set it in white gold or platinum.

That’s why a “near-colorless” diamond is a safe bet if you plan to set it in yellow or rose gold jewelry, since the warm color of the metal makes any yellowness in the diamond less noticeable.

3. Carat

Carat is the measurement of how much a diamond weighs. Carat is also related to size (how big a diamond looks), although it’s not the only factor that determines size. Depending on shape, weight distribution, and cut quality, two diamonds with the same carat weight can be different in size.

It’s worth noting that some diamonds are cut solely with an emphasis on weight. These gems can sacrifice brilliance and symmetry in favor of delivering a larger carat figure. At The Diamond Store, we recommend seeking a balance between cut and carat weight in order to ensure a symmetrical, brilliantly sparkling diamond.

Choosing Your Carat Weight

When you’re ready to choose a carat weight for your diamond, remember that size is not everything – cut grade strongly affects the quality and beauty of your diamond; color and clarity grades do so too, though to a lesser degree.

For the best value, consider diamonds slightly lighter than the carat weight you initially had in mind. For example, if you are thinking about purchasing a 1.00 carat diamond, consider diamonds at 0.95 to 0.99 carats as well. The difference in visual size will be negligible, but the savings can be significant. You can use those savings to invest in a higher cut grade or a more lavish ring setting.

4. Clarity

Clarity refers to a diamond’s natural inclusions, or lack thereof. While small marks within a diamond are natural, their appearance can leave something to be desired if they are visible to the naked eye.

The shape of a diamond can affect the importance of its clarity grade. The facet patterns of the brilliant-cut diamond shapes, such as round and princess, can hide certain imperfections; while step-cut shapes, such as emerald and asscher, have large open tables that make inclusions more obvious.

The lowest clarity grade within The Diamond Store’s inventory is SI2. These diamonds may have small visible inclusions. If you are searching for a step-cut diamond, we suggest a minimum clarity grade of VS2.

If you want to rest assured that your diamond will display a clean and stunning brilliance, a clarity grade of VS1 or higher is recommended for all diamond shapes.

Flawless (FL)
No surface imperfections or inclusions; the rarest of all diamonds.

Internally Flawless (IF)
No visible inclusions, even under magnification.

Very Very Slightly Included 1 (VVS1)
No imperfections visible to the naked eye.

Very Very Slightly Included 2 (VVS2)
No imperfections visible to the naked eye.

Very Slightly Included 1 (VS1)

At VS1, you may be able to see a few tiny imperfections upon close inspection.

Very Slightly Included 2 (VS2)
At VS2, you might be able to see a few more tiny inclusions.

Slightly Included 1 (SI1)
Imperfections, though small, are likely to be visible with the naked eye.

Slightly Included 2 (SI2)
Imperfections, though small, are likely to be visible with the naked eye.

What is a diamond shape?

The Diamond shape refers to the geometric appearance of a diamond. Diamond shapes are categorized into two groups: round diamonds and fancy shape diamonds. Round diamonds, also known as round brilliant cuts, are the most traditional diamond and sparkle the most. Fancy shape diamonds refer to any diamond that is not a round brilliant. Our fancy shape diamonds include princess, cushion, radiant, emerald, pear, marquise, heart, and many more.