Everyone’s looking for something different when they go diamond shopping. No matter the specifications of what you’re looking for, keeping the four C’s in mind are a necessary tool to help guide your journey. Cut, Carat, Colour, Clarity, from most to least important when shopping for diamonds, should be your focus point, on top of asking for the proper authenticity certification for any stone you purchase. Here is how you can use the four C’s to choose the perfect diamond.
Cut
The better the cut of a diamond, the more light can shine through it to produce that sparkle we’re all looking for. If the stone is too deep or shallow, the light won’t be able to run through it properly, making the diamond look dark and lifeless. The cut of a diamond is considered the most important of the four C’s, as it affects the gem’s appearance the most.
The cut grade is classified in various categories: excellent, very good, good, fair and poor. No matter your budget, also go for a diamond on the higher end of the spectrum. However, the proportions and depth of a diamond are just as important in determining a diamond’s quality as how light reflects through it. If a diamond is too deep or too shallow, then you’re looking at a poor diamond. The ideal proportions are shallow or evenly cut stones.
Carat
A common misconception about the carat of a diamond is that the weight and size are accurate representations of one another. However, that’s not the case. Just because you have a high carat diamond, doesn’t mean it’ll be massive in size. The dimensions of stone are affected by its proportions. Shallow stones with a depth of 60% will look larger than one with a high percentage. A stone that looks too large or small for its carat weight is a sign that the stone is poorly cut.
Colour
Colourless diamonds cost a lot more than yellow or pink ones, as clear diamonds are rarer to find. However, whether you want coloured diamonds or not is up to personal preference, for you or whoever you’re buying it for. The differences in colour grade are minimal to the naked eye unless you’re deciding between one that’s further towards the yellow side of the spectrum compared to the colourless side. When you’re in between is where distinctions become difficult and go unnoticed by novice diamond shoppers, unless you’re dealing with stones that are more than one carat in some cases.
Clarity
You can’t go into a diamond store expecting to find a countless supply of flawless diamonds. In fact, a large number of polished diamonds have some kind of flaw in them. It’s extremely rare to find a 100% flawless diamond. The higher the clarity rank, the fewer imperfections the diamond has, but this is the least important aspect of a diamond when looking to purchase. Unless there are severe flaws, or you have a loupe, you won’t be able to see the imperfections with the naked eye.
At Vancouver’s Rain City Jewellers, our experts work with the finest materials to produce the best engagements rings, diamond earrings and custom jewelry. We make sure our customers are always satisfied with the work we do. Stop by our store anytime to check out our inventory and order your own custom pieces.
