Color, clarity, cut and carat weight

The 4C’s of diamonds

Diamonds are one of nature’s greatest miracles. Made of pure carbon and with a hardness of 10 on Mohs Scale, diamonds are the hardest matrial on earth. High gem quality diamonds used in jewelry are rare and are only available in limited quantities. All diamonds are different. Like snowflakes, no diamonds are exactly alike.

GIA created the first, and now globally accepted standard for describing diamonds: Color, Clarity, Cut, and Carat Weight. Diamond value is based on the 4Cs. In combination, these four factors provide a way to discuss diamonds and to compare one diamond to another. Dalby Diamonds is working with the GIA Diamond grading scale and the Scandinavian Diamond Nomenclature (Scan. D.N.) to ensure a clear communication with our clients.

2. Clarity

Clarity is the relative absence of inclusions and blemishes called clarity characteristics. Inclusions are enclosed in a diamond or extended into it from the surface. Blemishes are confined to the surface of a polished diamond. Inclusions normally have more impact on a diamond’s beauty and value than blemishes. The size, number, position, nature and relief of inclusions can all affect the relative clarity of a diamond and thereby the diamond valuation. Since diamonds take shape inside the earth under extreme heat and pressure conditions, it is rarely to find a diamond without any clarity characteristics.

Since diamonds take shape inside the earth under extreme heat and pressure conditions, it is rarely to find a diamond without any clarity characteristics.

4. Carat weight

The carat weight measures the mass of a diamond. One carat is defined as 200 milligrams (0.200 g). Depending on quality, large diamonds are rarer and more valuable than smaller ones. A 1-ct. diamond weighs the same as four 0.25-ct. diamonds, but because it’s much rarer, the 1-ct. diamond would be worth many times more than the sum of the value of the 0.25-ct. diamonds.