KNOW THE 4 Cs

What to look for in a diamond? It all starts with the Four Cs. The 4 Cs are Carat, Color, Clarity and Cut. Each of these factors has an effect on the price as well as the appearance of a diamond. The concept of the 4 Cs is used internationally to group specific characteristics of diamonds, to determine the quality of a gemstone.

Carat:  The weight or size of a dimaond is measured in carats (ct.). A carat is 0.2 grams and there are 100 points (or 200 milligrams) per carat. With an accuracy of 1/100,000 ct, the IGI scales provide a highly precise diamond weight and this weight is specified on the Diamond Report to two decimal points.

Color:  Most diamonds of gem quality vary in shade from colorless to yellow. To determine the correct color, all submitted diamonds are compared to an internationally accepted master set of stones, the color of which ranges from D, or colorless (the most sought after) to Z, the yellowest. Other colors occur in diamonds such as brown, orange, pink, blue, etc. The most intense of these shades are determined as "Fancy" colors and referenced on the IGI Diamond Report.

Clarity:  In order to grade the clarity of a diamond, it is necessary to observe the number and nature of any internal characteristics in the stone as well as their size and position. This analysis is carried out using the IGI scope and a loupe 10x under the experienced eye of laboratory gemologists. A diamond is said to be "Internally Flawless" when it presents no internal defects under 10x magnification.

Cut:  How a diamond has been cut, polished, and to what proportions and symmetry, are of utmost importance since these factors determine the life, brilliance and dispersion of the diamond. If these cutting factors fall below standard, the appearance of the diamond will be adversely affected.

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