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.
Carat--The Larger a Diamond, the Rarer
Larger diamonds are found relatively infrequently in nature, which places them at the rarest level of the Diamond Quality Pyramid. A diamond's size is measured in carat weight, and each carat is equal to 100 points. A .75 carat diamond is the same as a 75-point diamond or 3/4 carat stone. While larger diamonds are highly prized, diamonds of equal size may vary widely in value and brilliance, depending on their qualities of clarity, cut and color.
Clarity--The Purer A Diamond, the More Brilliant
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.
Color--The Less Color in a Diamond, The More Rare
Diamonds are graded by color, starting at D and moving through the alphabet to Z.
While most diamonds appear white, virtually all display barely perceptible tints of color. Evaluating a diamond's color for grading purposes is done by measuring the degree to which a diamond approaches colorlessness. It is difficult for the untrained eye to see these minor variations; a jeweler can help demonstrate them by showing you diamonds side by side. Diamonds graded D, E, and F are more expensive because they are rarer and therefore are highest on the Diamond Quality Pyramid.
Cut--The Better Cut a Diamond, The More Brilliant
A well cut or faceted diamond, regardless of its shape, scintillates with fire and light-offering the greatest brilliance and value.
While nature determines a diamond's clarity, carat weight and color, the hand of a master craftsman is necessary to release its fire, sparkle and beauty. When a diamond is cut to good proportions, light will reflect from one mirror-like facet to another and disperse through the top of the stone, resulting in a display of brilliance and fire.
Diamonds that are cut too deep or too shallow lose light that spills through the side or bottom. As a result, poorly cut stones will be less brilliant and beautiful and certainly less valuable than well cut diamonds higher on the Diamond Quality Pyramid.
