Diamond Buyer Guide

Diamonds may all be mesmerizing, but not all diamonds are the same. In fact, diamonds vary so often that there is a detailed process that will help better assess the value of a diamond. When looking to purchase certified diamonds it is essential to understand diamond grading criteria used by the laboratories performing the certification.

All details of a diamond are evaluated during the certification process, but there are four specific grades (the Four C’s) which are crucial: cut, clarity, color, and carat weight. Each category then has its own measurements; cut, for example, lists the diamond’s depth and table.

Diamond Cut

Cut is probably the most important quality factor, and most challenging, of the four Cs to understand. The brilliance of a diamond depends heavily on its cut. See our Cuts & Shapes page for more information.

Diamond Clarity

More often than not, diamonds contain some inner flaws (inclusions) that occur during the diamond formation process. The visibility, number and size of these inclusions determine what is called the clarity of a diamond. Diamonds that are clear create more brilliance - the clearer the diamond, the higher prized and priced.

Diamond Color

Colorless diamonds are the most desirable since they allow the most refraction of light (sparkle). Off white diamonds absorb light, inhibiting brilliance.

Carat Weight

The unit of weight by which a diamond is measured is called its carat. Since large diamonds are found less commonly than small diamonds, the price of a diamond rises exponentionaly to its size. Read this guide to get a better understanding of what a carat is and how it affects the appearance of a diamond. More info

The Fifth C: Certificates

The diamond certificate, which is sometimes called a grading report, is a complete evaluation of your diamond that has been performed by a qualified professional with the help of special gemological instruments. Each stone bears its own recognizable, individual characteristics, which is listed on the certificate.