4Cs of Diamonds

The fundamental process of determining the worth of a diamond revolves around understanding the 4Cs, a set of standards that enable gemmologists to objectively assess the quality of such precious stones. The "4" signifies the number of critical factors, while each "C" represents the first letter of an essential criterion. The desirability and market value of a diamond are largely determined by these key factors.

Carat

Carat refers to the weight of a diamond, rather than its physical dimensions. This particular aspect of the 4Cs has origins in the 1500s, when carob seeds were historically used as a standard for weighing both diamonds and other gemstones. In modern times, a carat is precisely defined as 200 milligrams. The choice of carat weight is largely a personal preference, as no single weight is inherently superior to another. However, heavier diamonds of exceptional quality are less common than those with lower carat weights, a rarity that is often reflected in their market value.

Clarity

When a diamond is described as "pure," it means that it is devoid of any internal or surface flaws. Assessing the clarity of a diamond requires the expertise of a trained gemmologist who uses either a high-quality magnifying glass or a specialized microscope, referred to as a binocular, to examine the stone. In the diamond industry, and as observed by BAUNAT in its analysis of diamond price trends, clarity holds significant weight. The highest clarity grades include FL (Flawless) and IF (Internally Flawless), both of which represent the pinnacle of diamond purity.

Colour

Diamonds are graded based on their colour, with classifications ranging from D to Z. Stones that are closer to being completely colourless are considered more valuable. A diamond that falls into the D category is regarded as entirely colourless, while those that display subtle hints of grey, brown, or yellow are categorized under Z. Although diamonds can be found in rare "fancy" colours such as red, green, blue, black, or purple, these are exceptionally scarce and generally do not command the same market value as a colourless diamond.