The 4 C’s of Diamonds
Diamond quality is graded by a metric known as the ‘4 C’s,’ which stand for cut, color, clarity and carat.
Diamond Cut
The cut of a diamond is a huge factor in its overall quality. “Cut” refers to how well a diamond’s face interacts with the light–in other words, its sparkle and radiance. Symmetry, depth and faceting are key components of a diamond’s cut. A well cut diamond will appear bigger and more brilliant.
Diamond Color
Diamond color is ranked on an alphabetical scale. Diamonds graded D-F are called “colorless” and are clear to the human eye. Each letter beyond that represents a diamond with more color. Diamonds graded G-J are considered near colorless, and are high quality stones for an engagement ring. That being said, some people like the yellow color of a lower-grade diamond. It’s all a matter of personal taste.
Diamond Clarity
Diamond clarity is judged by the number and intensity of ‘inclusions’ within the diamond: any flecks of non-diamond material (usually other minerals) captured within the diamond as it forms. Almost all diamonds have inclusions, but not all are visible. Diamond clarity is graded on a scale of “Flawless” to “Included,” with the lower end of the spectrum representing significant inclusions that can be seen by the naked eye.
Diamond Carat Weight
You’re probably already familiar with this one, which simply refers to a diamond’s size.
Why Choose Natural Diamonds?
When it comes to lab grown vs. natural diamonds, lab diamonds have one major advantage: they’re more affordable. Many people want to surprise their loved one with an engagement ring featuring the biggest diamond they can afford, and for a lot of them, that means a lab diamond. However, despite the cost difference, natural diamonds are still the most popular choice for engagement rings.
Why is this? We’re willing to bet it has something to do with the natural diamond’s reputation as the ultimate symbol of love. It’s just romantic to give your special someone a stone that took a billion years to grow into a beautiful, sparkling gem. An exceptionally small number of natural diamonds are considered ‘jewelry quality,’ so every engagement ring featuring a mined diamond is a true treasure.
Due to their rarity, natural diamonds retain much of their original worth. If you’d like to upgrade your ring someday, or pass it down to the next generation, it’s wise to invest in a natural diamond. The higher upfront cost will pay dividends later.
Visit Jeweler’s Workshop for Natural Diamond Jewelry in Madison, Wisconsin
As your custom jewelry design shop in Madison, we carefully select all of the natural diamonds and gemstones we use in our jewelry. When you work with us on your custom jewelry, you can rest assured you’re getting high quality diamonds you can cherish for a lifetime.