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To establish a diamond's quality, jewelers examine each of the 4Cs--Cut, Clarity, Carat weight, and Color. The combination of the 4Cs determines the value of a particular diamond. Strive for a stone that offers the best combination of the 4Cs. Knowing a diamond's place in the Diamond Quality Pyramid will help you to make an informed decision.

The Diamond Quality Pyramid--How To Measure A Diamond's Value

The Diamond Quality Pyramid is a framework to help you compare diamonds. Those closest to the top of the pyramid--possessing the best combination of cut, clarity, carat weight and color--are the earth's rarest, most valuable and most beautiful to the eye.

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Clarity--The Purer A Diamond, the More Brilliant

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The greater a diamond's clarity, the more brilliant, valuable and rare it is-and the higher it is on the Diamond Quality Pyramid.

FL	IF	VVS1	VVS2	VS1	VS2	SI1	SI2	I1	I2	I3
Flawless- Internally Flawless		Very Very Slightly Imperfect		Very Slightly Imperfect		Slightly Imperfect		Imperfect

Virtually all natural diamonds contain identifying characteristics, invisible to the naked eye. Under a jeweler's 10x-magnifying loupe or microscope, natural phenomena-called inclusions-may be seen. These are nature's birthmarks, and they may look like tiny crystals, clouds or feathers.

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