Diamond Quality Guide – The 4Cs

Diamond quality is measured by 4 key factors: Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat. These determine how beautiful, valuable, and rare a diamond is.

1. ✂️ Cut – Most Important for Sparkle

• A diamond's cut affects how well it reflects light (sparkle or brilliance).

• Grades:

  • Excellent – best light return

  • Very Good

  • Good

  • Fair

• Even a flawless diamond will look dull if the cut is poor.

???? Tip: Always choose the best cut you can afford.

2. ???? Color – Whiteness of the Diamond

• The less color, the higher the grade.

• GIA scale: D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown)

• Grades:

  • D–F – Colorless (best quality)

  • G–J – Near colorless (good value)

  • K–Z – Noticeable tint

???? Tip: For white gold/platinum rings, choose D–H. For yellow gold, I–J is okay.

3. ???? Clarity – Purity & Flaws Inside

• Refers to natural imperfections (inclusions)

• Grades:

  • FL (Flawless) – no flaws, very rare

  • IF (Internally Flawless)

  • VVS1–VVS2 – Very, very slight inclusions

  • VS1–VS2 – Very slight inclusions

  • SI1–SI2 – Slightly included (visible only under magnification)

  • I1–I3 – Included (visible to the naked eye)

???? Tip: VS1–SI1 gives good value with little visual difference to the naked eye.

4. ⚖️ Carat Weight – Size of the Diamond

• One carat = 0.2 grams

• Larger carat weight = bigger diamond

• But two 1-carat diamonds can look very different based on cut and shape

???? Tip: A well-cut 0.90 ct can look just like a 1.00 ct but cost much less.https://www.layladiamonds.com/collections/cushion