If you’re looking to buy an engagement ring, you’ve probably heard of the ‘four C’s. But, what are they really?
The four C’s denote the four qualities of a precious stone that define its quality: cut, color, clarity and carat-weight. Carats are the measurement units of diamond weight. While carat weight is a factor when choosing your stone, it’s not really the most important. The other three C’s can change a diamond’s value greatly.
The cut represents the skill of the artisan. Facets that are positioned, cut and polished in the optimal way will allow the diamond to shine (what is called its brilliance) and sparkle (scintillation). The perfect cut will not allow almost any light to escape out of the bottom and sides of the diamond.
Color and clarity are natural properties of the diamond. Color is graded from colorless to light yellow – colorless the rarest and therefore the most precious. Clarity refers to the presence of natural imperfections in the stone – the fewer of those, and the smaller, the better.
While all of these can be expressed with a number, it’s always best to have a look for yourself when you're shopping for that special Engagement Ring.
The four C’s denote the four qualities of a precious stone that define its quality: cut, color, clarity and carat-weight. Carats are the measurement units of diamond weight. While carat weight is a factor when choosing your stone, it’s not really the most important. The other three C’s can change a diamond’s value greatly.
Color and clarity are natural properties of the diamond. Color is graded from colorless to light yellow – colorless the rarest and therefore the most precious. Clarity refers to the presence of natural imperfections in the stone – the fewer of those, and the smaller, the better.
While all of these can be expressed with a number, it’s always best to have a look for yourself when you're shopping for that special Engagement Ring.
The A to Z... or the C to C of Buying Engagement Rings