Discover the 4 Cs of a Diamond

Deciding to get married is an important milestone worthy of celebration. However, you can’t start enjoying your engagement until you accomplish one very important task: choosing a ring to signify your love. As exciting as shopping for an engagement ring can be, this task is often more complex than people assume.

Developed in the mid-1900s by GIA, or the Gemological Institute of America, the 4 C’s of a diamond offer an objective standard for measuring the world’s most treasured stone. Standing for Color, Clarity, Cut, and Carat, they offer a useful guide for men and women looking for high-quality jewelry to symbolize their love. Keep reading to learn how you can use the 4 C’s to find the perfect diamond engagement ring at Rottermond.

Get to Know the 4 C’s of Assessing Diamonds

An engagement ring represents a significant purchase. Before taking the plunge, do your homework and learn how the 4 C’s of diamonds can help you narrow down your choice.

Cut

Often referred to as the most important C, cut has a profound impact on a diamond’s beauty. If a stone isn’t cut properly, its facets will reflect less light. The end result is a dull-looking stone that fails to sparkle.

Clarity

A measure of a diamond’s purity and rarity, clarity describes the flaws present in the stone. Using a microscope, jewelry experts grade a diamond’s clarity based on inclusions (internal flaws) and blemishes (external flaws). The scale ranges from Flawless (the most expensive) to Included, meaning that inclusions are visible under 10-power magnification.

Carat

If you’ve ever shopped for a diamond, then you’re probably familiar with carat. Referring to a stone’s weight, carat tends to correlate with price. However, lower carat stones may be more expensive than higher carat ones if they feature superior clarity or cut. Additionally, different diamond shapes often have varying carat weights.

Color

Even white diamonds have a natural tint inherent in the stone. Typically, colorless diamonds are rarer and therefore more expensive. On the other hand, diamonds with a strong yellow cast generally cost less. The industry standard for grading color goes from D to Z, with D diamonds being closer to colorless and higher letters demonstrating a light yellow hue.

Make Rottermond Your Choice for Fine Diamond Jewelry

While the 4 Cs are a useful guide for choosing a diamond, the truth is that the right ring is the one you pick out for yourself or the special person in your life. To find the widest selection of quality diamonds, make Rottermond your first stop. Our premium jewelry stores were founded with the goal of providing high-quality branded jewelry from some of the world’s most innovative designers. Whether you’re searching for engagement rings, wedding bands, earrings, or necklaces, we’re confident there’s a piece in our collections to meet your needs. Shop online today or call to speak to someone on our team.