A Guide to the Diamond 4C's
What are the 4C’s of a diamond?
One of the first, and most important things that you need to consider when buying a diamond engagement ring, is the diamond that is right for you or your partner! The 4C’s refer to the cut, colour, clarity and carat weight of a diamond, and work together to produce this beautiful gemstone that we all know and love. What makes diamond engagement rings so special is that no two diamonds are the same, and therefore, the quality and beauty of each stone is graded against each of the 4C’s individually. Yes, these characteristics do work and factor together, but the cut, colour, clarity and carat weight of a diamond will have their own unique effect on the stone.
Therefore, you can agree that it would be a good idea to develop an understanding of the diamond 4C’s and their individual impact on a stone, as these characteristics will affect the overall beauty, quality and price of your diamond engagement ring. Although this may seem daunting at first, especially for first time buyers, once you have an idea of what sort of diamond appeals to you or your partner the most, the decision becomes much clearer. Here at BOO Jewellery, we are committed to helping you to find the perfect diamond engagement ring, so if you feel as if you would benefit from some guidance, then please feel free to visit us in our Olney Boutique. Alternatively, get in touch with us today, we will be happy to answer any questions that you may have!
Diamond Cut
Diamond cut refers to the way in which a raw diamond is skilfully cut, and has the greatest effect on a stone’s brilliance, fire and finish. Many people think that the diamond cut refers to diamond shape, such as brilliant round, princess and oval to name a few. However, maximising the stone’s interaction and transmission of light is the main focus of a diamond’s cut, not its shape. The ideal, high-grade diamond cut will reflect all of the light that enters, creating a stunning sparkle. Cuts that are of lower quality, and are too shallow or too deep, won’t reflect much light at all, which can cause a diamond to become dull-looking.
Diamond cut is graded on a scale of excellent to poor. If you are seeking a diamond that showcases the best wow-factor, that you can spot glistening from across the room, then we recommend choosing a diamond that is graded good or above. Of course, a diamond’s cut grade is price affecting, and due to the exquisite craftsmanship displayed within their cut, a higher quality cut will be significantly more expensive than a lower quality cut. However, the sparkle, shimmer and brilliance of a great diamond cut is definitely worth it!
Diamond Clarity
Diamond clarity grading runs from flawless to slightly included, and refers to the absence, or amount of imperfections within a stone. These imperfections are known as inclusions, flaws and blemishes, and make a difference to how a diamond reflects light, as well as how the stone looks. Each separate diamond is evaluated for the number of both internal and external inclusions displayed, and the size, position and nature of them.
Diamonds with little to no imperfections are graded as flawless. However, it is incredibly rare to find a flawless diamond, and those that are tend to be very expensive. In most cases, the inclusions within a diamond can only be seen through a microscope, or in diamonds of an even lower quality clarity, by looking very closely. So if you are looking for a stone that is affordable, without compromising the unmatched beauty and shine of a diamond, then VS1-VS2 clarity may be your preferred option.
Some gemstones, such as salt and pepper diamonds, feature a mix of black and white inclusions. This creates a speckled, smoky, but sleek look, and makes for unique diamond jewellery. To find out more about the diamond clarity grades that we offer at BOO Jewellery, get in touch or pop in to our Olney Showroom - we will be more than happy to talk you through your options!
Diamond Colour
When we think of diamond’s, most of us picture a pure, white and clear stone. However, the colour of a diamond can vary quite significantly, from grey and black, to yellow stones. These differences in colour influence how rare, and therefore, how expensive a diamond is. Diamond colour is graded alphabetically, starting at D, as an exceptionally white diamond, and works through to J, as a slightly tinted white diamond. For the best quality diamond at a good price, we recommend looking for a diamond on the clearer end of the scale, such as a G-J graded gemstones, which are near colourless.
As well as the classic white diamonds that we all know and love, here at BOO Jewellery, we also offer a range of black diamond and salt and pepper diamond engagement rings. Browse our unique range online today or take a look in person in our Olney Boutique.
Diamond Carat
Diamonds are measured by their carat weight, so when buying an engagement ring, it is important to remember that choosing a large stone doesn’t necessarily mean that it is the best diamond! This is because a stone that is large in appearance may be of low quality in other aspects of its characteristics such as its clarity, cut and colour, whereas a smaller stone may be of a better overall quality, and therefore, of a higher value. After all, taking all of the 4C’s into consideration when selecting the perfect diamond for yours or your partner's engagement ring will ensure a stone of maximum beauty!
Diamond Engagement Rings at BOO Jewellery
Here at BOO Jewellery, we are well-known for our beautiful collection of unique diamond engagement rings. Our ranges are made using ethically sourced materials and textured metals. Learn more about the metals and textures that we use at BOO here. Browse diamond engagement rings online or feel free to visit us in Olney to see our pieces in person!
