The 4Cs—cut, color, clarity and carat weight—are the characteristics that define the unique beauty and value of your diamond.
cut
Cut refers not only to a diamond's shape, but more importantly to its proportions. A well-proportioned diamond brings out the maximum beauty. Diamonds cut too deep or shallow lose light through the side or bottom, resulting in loss of brilliance.
proportions
Deep Cut
Shallow Cut
Well-proportioned
shape
Round
-
Princess
Marquise
Oval
Pear
Emerald
Heart
clarity
Clarity is the degree to which a diamond is free from inclusions and blemishes, which can hinder the light as it passes though your diamond.
Like people, diamonds have natural "birthmarks" that vary in size, shape, position, quantity and color.
These birthmarks, or inclusions and blemishes, are formed deep in the earth during the diamond's growth. Blemishes can also result from the diamond cutting process.
Diamonds are graded using 10x magnification.
VVS1–VVS2
Very, Very Slightly Included
VS1–VS2
Very Slightly Included
S1–S2
Slightly Included
I1
Included, Grade 1
I2
Included, Grade 2
I3
Included, Grade 3
color
Fancy color diamonds aside, the best, most beautiful color for a diamond is no color at all. The Gemological Institute of America has created a scale to measure diamond color, ranging from D (colorless) to Z (yellow). Fancy color diamonds are graded Z and higher. Kay Diamond Bridal Rings are all graded near colorless or better.
DEF |
GHIJ |
KLM |
NOPQR |
STUVWXYZ |
colorless |
near |
faint |
very light |
light |
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carat weight
Diamonds are weighed in units called carats. A carat is measured in increments called points. One carat is equal to 100 points. Carat weight is the easiest of the 4Cs to determine because it is measured on a diamond scale. But two diamonds of equal weight can have very unequal values depending upon the cut, color and clarity of each.
Note: The carat weight images shown above are only a guide. Variations in monitors will affect the actual size of the diamond.
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