The 4Cs are for everyone.
The 4Cs are the industry standard for evaluating diamond quality. They are also the best way to understand your diamond, and to ensure accuracy in the evaluation of your diamond’s unique characteristics. While choosing a diamond is a very personal decision, evaluating a diamond should always be a matter of precision. At GIA, we are incredibly proud that our 4Cs of diamond quality continue to educate the diamond industry and most importantly, protect diamond consumers everywhere.
Diamond Color
Often when we talk about diamond color, we are actually talking about the absence of color. As subtle as color distinction may be, color variations from the most obvious to subdued can drastically alter diamond quality and price. Luckily, diamond color isn’t a matter of opinion. Proper color evaluation is a matter of expertise.
Diamond Clarity
Every diamond is unique. Clarity characteristics are created when small crystals are trapped in the diamond. As they grow, pressure and stress can cause inclusions and blemishes—sometimes only visible under a microscope. The clarity of a diamond is based on the size, position, visibility and number of these inclusions or blemishes.
Diamond Cut
One of a diamond’s most recognizable characteristics, diamond cut, refers to how a diamond interacts with light. When you hear words like Brightness, Scintillation and Fire, they describe how masterfully a diamond is cut. Cut also describes the overall design of a diamond, including the arrangement and proportions of the diamond’s facets. There are a nearly unlimited combination of proportions possible, and all of them impact the interaction with light.
Diamond Carat Weight
Carat weight describes the weight, not the size, of a diamond. The term carat weight comes from carob seeds and has been in use since the 1500s. Today, a carat is a standard milligram measurement of weight. A metric Carat is defined as 200 milligrams and used globally.
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Follow these 10 tips for buying an engagement ring to make a smart purchase:
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The original source for diamond grading.
For nearly 100 years, GIA has helped advance the global diamond industry through innovation and education. A GIA Diamond Grading Report is more than the standard in diamond evaluation—it is the internationally trusted source for diamond quality reporting by jewelers, museums and auction houses.
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How Much Should an Engagement Ring Cost?
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Expertise at your fingertips.
You don’t need to be a gemologist to purchase a diamond with confidence. You just need to know where to find one.
GIA is the trusted benchmark for diamond grading. Download the GIA App now to learn more about the 4Cs and look up GIA reports.
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