The 4 C's

Diamond Color, Clarity, Cut, and Carat Weight are collectively termed the 4C's – the factors that, when combined, define a diamond’s quality and ultimately determine its value. GIA created the

4C's of Diamond Quality

which has become the universal method for assessing the quality of any
diamond, anywhere in the world. The creation of the 4Cs means that
diamond quality can be communicated in a universal language so diamond
purchasers know exactly what they are buying.

CUT

A diamond’s cut determines its sparkle. To fashion a stone with proportions, symmetry, and polish worthy of an excellent cut grade requires artistry and workmanship. The finer the cut quality, the more sparkle the diamond has.

Color

GIA’s diamond color
grading system measures the absence of color, starting with D as
colorless and continuing to Z representing light yellow or brown. The distinctions between color grades are so subtle that they are often invisible to the untrained eye but can make a big difference in diamond quality and price.

Clarity

Natural diamonds form from carbon exposed to tremendous heat and pressure deep in the earth. Diamonds often contain clarity characteristics, called inclusions or blemishes. Inclusions are enclosed within the gem and blemishes are on the surface of the diamond. If all else is equal, the closer a diamond is to flawless, with no inclusions or blemishes, the higher its value.

Inclusion Definitions

Natural diamonds are the result of carbon exposed to tremendous heat
and pressure deep in the earth. This process can result in a variety of
internal characteristics called ‘inclusions.’ Many inclusions
and blemishes are too tiny to be seen by anyone other than a trained
diamond grader. This is why expert and accurate assessment of diamond clarity is extremely important.

Flawless (FL)

Flawless (FL): No inclusions and no blemishes are visible to a skilled grader using 10x magnification

 

Internally Flawless (IF)

Internally Flawless (IF): No inclusions and only blemishes are visible to a skilled grader using 10x magnification

 

Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS)

Very,
Very Slightly Included (VVS): Minute inclusions that range from
extremely difficult to very difficult to see are visible to a skilled
grader using 10x magnification

 

Very Slightly Included (VS)

Very
Slightly Included (VS): Minor inclusions that range from difficult to
somewhat easy to see are visible to a skilled grader using 10x
magnification

 

Slightly Included (SI)

Slightly
Included (SI): Noticeable inclusions that range from easy to very easy
to see are visible to a skilled grader using 10x magnification

 

Included (I)

Included
(I): Obvious inclusions are visible to a skilled grader using 10x
magnification and may affect transparency and brilliance

Carat

Diamond weight is measured in carats.
One carat is equal to 0.2 gram, about as heavy as a paperclip. Since larger diamonds are more rare, they will cost more than a smaller gem with the same color, clarity and cut grades.