Whether you’re shopping for an engagement ring for your love or looking for a nice pair of diamond stud earrings for yourself, you’ll want to learn about the four Cs of diamonds first. This will help guide you in choosing a quality piece that will be a timeless part of a jewelry collection. These four characteristics determine the value of a diamond. A diamond should have a grade for each of the four Cs — cut, color, clarity, and carat. Let’s take a look at what the four Cs of diamonds are and what they mean to determine the value.
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Cut
The cut is what shape, how many facets, and how precise the diamond cutter cut the diamond. The more skill and expertise the diamond cutter has when crafting the diamond is what leads to a more brilliant and gorgeous piece. Out of the four Cs of diamonds, the cut has the most impact on the appearance. The most popular cuts of diamonds today for engagement rings are the round, princess, and cushion cuts. The antique rose cut was popular in the 1800s, but has recently made a comeback for those who want vintage-inspired pieces.
Color
The color of diamonds ranges greatly from colorless, to yellow, pink, blue, and more. The color can be intense or a light hue. Colorless diamonds are the rarest and have their own scale of grading, apart from colored diamonds. Though, some colorless diamonds that are classified as fluorescent can appear to have glowing colors when exposed to UV lighting. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) color scale starts at D for ‘colorless’ and ranges to Z for ‘light’. A higher grade will lend to a higher value for the diamond.
Clarity
Clarity refers to inclusions, which are imperfections within the diamond, and blemishes on the surface of the diamond. Inclusions are completely natural and occur when the diamond is forming deep within the earth. A natural diamond that has no inclusions or blemishes is very rare and would be significantly more expensive. Lab synthesized gems like moissanite often have fewer inclusions compared to natural diamonds because of the controlled environment in which they are created.
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Carat
Carat refers to the physical weight of the diamond measured in metric carats. The largest diamond ever found is the Cullinan, mined in South Africa in 1905. It was 3,106 carats and weighed 1.33 pounds. In retrospect, the average size of an engagement ring centerpiece diamond today is about 1 carat.
Find the Perfect Ring
While the four Cs of diamonds are important to keep in mind when shopping for an engagement ring, they’re not the only detail that matters. You’ll need the perfect shade of gold and a ring style that will knock your intended off her feet. In the past, it was tradition to surprise your loved one with a ring, but many couples today are choosing to shop together for a ring she will be happy to wear on her finger for the rest of her life. At Aurosi Jewels, you can shop online and try on five rings for free at home. By the time you slip the ring on her finger, you’ll feel confident you’ve found the forever ring.
