The 4Cs: Which is the most important?

The 4Cs are the key characteristics of diamonds: carat, cut, color and clarity. When you know exactly how they are evaluated, you make better decisions in the purchase of your diamond.

The 4Cs allow you to judge the quality of a diamond, compare it with others, and assess how much it is worth, or it's fair market price value. Ask to see the certification that comes with each diamond you look at. Diamond certification is the written proof – from an independent gemological laboratory such as IGA or GIA -- of a diamond's attributes. It shows the precise grading for each of the 4Cs - carat weight, cut, color,and clarity - and, therefore, the diamond value.

When she, her family, friends, and everyone you know looks at her diamond - what they'll notice most are carat weight, or size, and more importantly - how brilliant and flashy the diamond is - which is determined largely by cut.

Size or quality – which is more important?

Determining which of the 4Cs is the most important is, in part, a matter of taste . If size is key , then carat weight will count most to you, but remember that size is not related to the beauty of the stone. A smaller diamond that is more masterfully cut and features greater clarity and better color will be more beautiful and brilliant than a larger stone of the same price that does not meet the same standards for cut, clarity and color.

In other words, a big diamond is not necessarily a beautiful diamond. But if size is really important to you, look for a diamond that offers the largest visual appearance and more brilliance than conventionally cut round diamonds of comparable color and clarity. Many branded diamonds are cut to these specifications.

The 4Cs - Why cut is so important

Diamond experts will undoubtedly tell you that cut is the most important attribute of a diamond. Cut is dependent on the craftsmanship applied in cutting the facets of the stone. The artisan attempts to cut a diamond to make the best use of light.

Here's the technical explanation:

When a diamond is cut to good proportions , light is refracted from one facet to another, then dispersed through the top of the diamond. When a diamond is cut too deep, some light escapes through the opposite side of the diamond. If the diamond is cut too shallow, light escapes through the bottom of the stone before it can be reflected. In addition, the facets must be placed with precise symmetry for maximum brilliance.

Here's the bottom line:

Brilliance is the wow factor in any diamond, and what makes one diamond more beautiful than another. It's the arch in a person's eyebrow as they are nearly blinded by the flash of light coming from your diamond.

Of course, a diamond may be cut well, but have poor color and clarity. The point is, to be exceptionally beautiful, a diamond must be of high quality in all 4Cs. But without the cutting craftsmanship of a master artisan, a rough stone will never release its maximum brilliance and beauty no matter how good its color and clarity. So pay extra attention to cut.

Because the quality of the diamond is so important, you should buy the diamond first.

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