The 4C’s of diamonds
Cut
The Cut is the most important factor in the brilliance of a diamond. We often confuse the cut with the shape (round, pear, oval, heart, marquise), but the cut of the diamond refers to the symmetry and the proportions in terms of depth, width and size of its surface. In particular, the more perfect the symmetry and the proportions of the diamond is, the most it will reflect the light from its facets in the eyes of the one who looks at it. The quality of the diamond cut is judged as: Ideal-Excellent-Very Good-Good-Fair-Poor.
Color
Color is another important factor that plays an important role in the value of a diamond. The color scale of the diamond starts from (D-E-F) where we meet the colorless diamonds. We continue with (G-H-I-J) where we meet the almost colorless diamonds and we continue with (K-L-M) the faint diamonds, the (N-O-P-Q-R) are the very light yellow and from (S-T-U-V-W-X-Y-Z) are the light yellow diamonds. The more colorless a diamond is, generally the more radiant, valuable, and rare it is as well.
Clarity
he clarity of a diamond refers to the existence and visual presence of internal characteristics of diamonds which we call inclusions as well as imperfections of their surface. In order to appreciate the clarity of a diamond, the number, size, nature and location of these inclusions are taken into account, as well as how they affect its overall image.
The less we encounter the better its clarity, starting the scale by looking at them with a microscope at X10 optical magnification from FL which means Flawless(flawless and without inclusions), we continue to IF(Internally Flawless), immediately after we have VVS1 and VVS2 (Very Very Slightly Included) where in the diamond we observe with great difficulty inclusions in an invisible position and we continue in VS1 and VS2 (Very Slightly Included) with discreet inclusions and in the last qualities of clarity we meet SI1 and SI2 (Slightly Included) where we have distinct inclusions and finally we have I1 I2 where we have very obvious inclusions and I3 Included numerous and very obvious inclusions. On stones below 0. 50 ct the diamond certificate can refer to a general category VVS and VS because diamonds are small and do not belong to a more specific category e.g. VVS1 or VVS2.
Carat
With the carat we measure the weight of the diamond. Usually the larger a diamond is the greater its value as it is rarer and more desirable. But two diamonds of the same carat can have very different values and prices as they depend on the other three C’s of Clarity, Color and Cut diamonds.
