Diamond Education: 4 C's & Basics
Our diamond education is the most comprehensive diamond buying guide, designed to answer all your questions. We address the 4 C’s of diamonds (carat, cut, color and clarity) and beyond so you can make a prudent diamond buying decision, while maximizing your diamond’s appearance and value. Diamonds are considered the world's most precious gemstone.
They are traditionally used for engagement rings and other jewelry as a symbol of love and commitment. Buying a diamond is an important personal, financial and emotional decision. Our gemologists are experts on the subject and provide invaluable guidance so you can shop with confidence in a pressure free environment.
Diamond Shape Diamond shape is the most visual characteristic. It is the diamond’s outline and comes in many forms such as round cut, princess cut, cushion cut, etc. Learn More
Diamond Shape Diamond shape is the most visual characteristic. It is the diamond’s outline and comes in many forms such as round cut, princess cut, cushion cut, etc. Learn more
Diamond Carat Diamond carat is its weight and reflects the diamond’s size. The larger the diamond, the rarer and more valuable it becomes. Carat is the most visible C. Learn more
Diamond Carat Diamond carat is its weight and reflects the diamond’s size. The larger the diamond, the rarer and more valuable it becomes. Carat is the most visible C. Learn more
Diamond Color Graded on a scale from D to Z, diamond color is its degree of colorlessness or tint of yellow/brown. The more colorless, the rarer and higher the value of the diamond. Learn more
Diamond Color Graded on a scale from D to Z, diamond color is its degree of colorlessness or tint of yellow/brown. The more colorless, the rarer and higher the value of the diamond. Learn more
Diamond Clarity Diamond clarity is set by microscopic imperfections and growths found naturally within the diamond. Diamond clarity makes every diamond unique. Learn more
Diamond Clarity Diamond clarity is set by microscopic imperfections and growths found naturally within the diamond. Diamond clarity makes every diamond unique. Learn more
Diamond Cut Diamond cut is the angles and proportions of the diamond’s cutting and faceting. The cut grade represents the diamond’s sparkle. Well cut diamonds have maximum sparkle. Learn more
Diamond Cut Diamond cut is the angles and proportions of the diamond’s cutting and faceting. The cut grade represents the diamond’s sparkle. Well cut diamonds have maximum sparkle. Learn more
Diamond Certification Diamond certification validates the characteristics of a diamond. A grading report provides diamond value transparency. GIA and IGI are the most prominent certification laboratories. Learn more
Diamond Certification Diamond certification validates the characteristics of a diamond. A grading report provides diamond value transparency. GIA and IGI are the most prominent certification laboratories. Learn more
Beyond The 4 C’s
Once you’ve learned the 4 C’s (cut, carat, color and clarity) of diamonds, venture on to the advance topics to make the perfect diamond selection. Use With Clarity’s expert advice guides to understand the anatomy of a diamond so you can choose the right polish, symmetry, fluorescence, girdle, culet, table and depth. By understanding the nuances of each diamond attribute, you’ll maximize your diamond’s price budget for the highest value. Click below to start with diamond symmetry and go beyond.
Advanced Diamond Education
Fluorescence
Fluorescence is graded based on the diamond’s appearance in Ultraviolet light. Due to trace minerals that occur in the diamond as it forms naturally, or within the lab, the diamond can emit a blue glow. While fluorescence does not affect the appearance of the diamond in daylight, it can impact the price of the diamond. Therefore, fluorescence needs to be carefully assessed especially when it comes to color and clarity.
Symmetry
Symmetry is how well the facets of the diamonds are cut in terms of their proportion and alignment with one another. Well cut diamonds will also have excellent symmetry grades, so this attribute generally goes hand in hand with the cut grade. The symmetry grade can be seen on the IGI or GIA certificate.
Polish
Diamond polish is how well the diamond facets are polished and how smooth and even the surfaces are. If there is roughness, unevenness or remnants of the rough diamond, the diamond gets a lower quality. Polish is another advanced C that feeds directly into the cut grade of the diamond. Generally diamonds that have an excellent cut grade will also have an excellent polish grade.
Culet
The culet is the bottom portion of the diamond which needs to be in the correct proportion of the diamond based on the shape of the diamond. The culet of the diamond determines the passage of light through the diamond and ultimately the sparkle of the diamond. If the culet of the diamond is not in the correct proportion, there is light leakage and this can detract from the sparkle of the diamond.
Measurements
The measurements of the diamond determines once again how well the diamond sparkles and how well the facts can show off the color and clarity of the diamond. A well proportioned diamond of the same size, may look better than the diamond that is larger but has less than ideal measurements. The proportions of the diamond can also make the gemstone look larger faceup and maximize the beauty of the diamond.
Fluorescence is graded based on the diamond’s appearance in Ultraviolet light. Due to trace minerals that occur in the diamond as it forms naturally, or within the lab, the diamond can emit a blue glow. While fluorescence does not affect the appearance of the diamond in daylight, it can impact the price of the diamond. Therefore, fluorescence needs to be carefully assessed especially when it comes to color and clarity. Learn more
Symmetry is how well the facets of the diamonds are cut in terms of their proportion and alignment with one another. Well cut diamonds will also have excellent symmetry grades, so this attribute generally goes hand in hand with the cut grade. The symmetry grade can be seen on the IGI or GIA certificate. Learn more
Diamond polish is how well the diamond facets are polished and how smooth and even the surfaces are. If there is roughness, unevenness or remnants of the rough diamond, the diamond gets a lower quality. Polish is another advanced C that feeds directly into the cut grade of the diamond. Generally diamonds that have an excellent cut grade will also have an excellent polish grade. Learn more
The culet is the bottom portion of the diamond which needs to be in the correct proportion of the diamond based on the shape of the diamond. The culet of the diamond determines the passage of light through the diamond and ultimately the sparkle of the diamond. If the culet of the diamond is not in the correct proportion, there is light leakage and this can detract from the sparkle of the diamond. Learn more
The measurements of the diamond determines once again how well the diamond sparkles and how well the facts can show off the color and clarity of the diamond. A well proportioned diamond of the same size, may look better than the diamond that is larger but has less than ideal measurements. The proportions of the diamond can also make the gemstone look larger faceup and maximize the beauty of the diamond. Learn more
Buying a diamonds
Buying a diamond isn’t always easy. Our diamond buying guides are crafted to provide all the required steps to make the perfect decision. Learn more
Buying a diamond isn’t always easy. Our diamond buying guides are crafted to provide all the required steps to make the perfect decision. Learn more
Diamond pricing is complex. Diamond pricing increases exponentially as the quality and rarity increase. Let us help you find the ideal diamond for your budget. Learn more
Diamond pricing is complex. Diamond pricing increases exponentially as the quality and rarity increase. Let us help you find the ideal diamond for your budget. Learn more
Search over 170,000 loose diamonds to find the optimal blend of quality, value and pricing. Our diamond search makes it easy to find the perfect diamond for any occasion. Learn more
Search over 170,000 loose diamonds to find the optimal blend of quality, value and pricing. Our diamond search makes it easy to find the perfect diamond for any occasion. Learn more
Diamonds can be sourced naturally through mining precious rough that forms within the earth. Lab grown diamonds can also be created mimicking the same conditions within the earth. Both are visually identical, but the price differs. Learn more
Diamonds can be sourced naturally through mining precious rough that forms within the earth. Lab grown diamonds can also be created mimicking the same conditions within the earth. Both are visually identical, but the price differs. Learn more
