What are the 4Cs in Diamond Grading?August 7, 2024

When buying diamond jewelry, you will notice the details of the diamond in the description. This generally includes color, clarity, cut, and carat weight—the 4Cs created by the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) as a universal method for establishing the quality of a diamond. But what exactly do the 4Cs mean, and why do they matter? Let us explore diamond grading and what you should be looking for when buying diamond jewelry.

Color

For color grading, the GIA color scale is used. The scale is between D-Z, with D being highest and Z being lowest. The 23 color grades are divided into five subcategories: colorless (D-F), nearly colorless (G-J), faint (K-M), very light (N-R), and light (S-Z). But you would’t be able to tell the difference between D and F, for example. So if you want a colorless diamond, buying F should be sufficient and it will be cheaper as well. But if you want that absolutely perfect diamond ring, then go for D!

As you go down the alphabet, the diamond gets cheaper due to its yellowish color. K-M will have some warmth, so you will definitely notice the yellow hues. But some people like this, especially in antique rings, so it’s up to your personal preference.

So you would want at least J for that perfect diamond look. For example, our Diamond Cuban Link Chain is graded H-G, which means it’s nearly colorless. G-J grade tend to be better for those on a budget, as they allow that perfect sparkling diamond look for lesser the cost.

Clarity

But clarity is just as important as color. To determine the clarity of the diamond, the GIA or the AGS (The American Gem Society) grading scales are used.

The AGS scale is between 0-10, with the highest grade being zero, and the lowest being 10. So, a 0 graded diamond jewelry will be significantly more expensive than a 10 graded diamond jewelry.

The GIA scale is as follows:

FL: Flawless

IF: Internally Flawless

VVS1 VVS2: Very, Very Slightly Included

VS1 VS2: Very Slightly Included

SI1 SI2: Slightly Included

I1 I2 I3: Imperfect

Bayam uses the GIA scale; for example, our Round Cut Diamond Initial Pendant Necklace is VS2, which means the diamond is “very slightly included”. This means that the diamonds have very small flaws that are almost invisible to the naked eye.

But don’t let inclusions put you off; FL and IF diamonds are rare, since almost all diamonds have some inclusions which are formed because of the heat and pressure needed in their creation process. So you will generally see VVS1 VVS2 as the highest grade.

I1 I2 I3 diamonds will be those darker, almost matte-like diamonds that you see, which beats the whole purpose of diamonds catching the light and adding a touch of sparkle to your ensemble. So ideally, you would want at least SI1 SI2 grade diamond jewelry.

Cut

The GIA described the diamond as an “arrangement of tiny angled mirrors”, what gemologists call “facets”. These facets reflect light off of each other, bounce light into the diamond, break up the light into a spectrum of colors, and return light back up to your eye.

In determining the cut grade, they consider how well the diamond interacts with light (for example, how white light reflects from the diamond), and how well the diamond is designed (for example, the symmetry of the facet arrangement). Based on these factors, the diamond is graded as: Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, or Poor.

The cut is what determines the beauty of the diamond, as it directly influences the stone’s brilliance. A well-cut diamond will reflect light internally from one facet to another and disperse it through the top of the stone, giving it an exceptional sparkle. In contrast, a poorly cut diamond can appear dull even if it has excellent color and clarity. So you shouldn’t go below “Good”, as the cut is crucial for showcasing the diamond’s inherent beauty.

But the cut is generally relevant to diamond rings or any other piece of jewelry, such as a diamond pear necklace, where the diamond stands alone. So, for example, while you would see the details of color and clarity of our Diamond Cuban Link Bracelet, you wouldn’t see the cut details, as it simply features round-cut small diamonds.

Carat Weight

Carat weight is what everyone is already familiar with. It’s the size and weight of the diamond, which increases the cost as it goes up. But it’s not the same as gold “karats”, which refers to the purity of gold. For example, our Men’s Diamond Stud Earrings in 3.49ct diamonds is $22,131.55, while 2ct diamonds is $9,695.10. So the bigger the carat, the bigger the size and cost.

What About Lab-Grown Diamonds?

Even though synthetic diamonds are produced in a lab environment, variations in their quality can still occur, which affects their look and price. So lab-grown diamonds are graded similar to natural diamonds. For example, our lab-grown Men’s Diamond Stud Earrings have a clarity of VS and color of E-F, which means it’s colorless and very slightly included. So lab-grown diamonds can be a beautiful (and often cheaper) alternative to natural diamonds. If you want to know more about lab-grown diamonds, take a look at our blog on ‘Lab-Grown Diamonds: The Ethical Bling'.

Explore Authentic Shine with Bayam

4Cs are an easy way to determine the quality of the diamond jewelry you are thinking of purchasing is. With 4Cs, you can know exactly what you are about to purchase. Next time you are looking at diamond jewelry, don’t just look at the pictures. Some sellers may use pictures of D-F color grade diamonds for N-R color grade diamonds. Always make sure to read the description to avoid buying from fraudulent sellers. Like gold, buy your diamond jewelry from a reputable seller that you trust. At Bayam, we blend the timeless elegance of gold with the brilliant shimmer of diamonds. So go to Bayam Jewelry and discover our exquisite collection, meticulously handcrafted to bring you unparalleled beauty and value. Trust Bayam for authenticity, quality, and a touch of luxury in every piece.