Diamond Education

The 4Cs – Making an Informed Choice

At Wassan Diamonds, we believe that understanding the value and beauty of a diamond starts with the 4Cs—Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat. Our expert team is here to guide you through each of these essential characteristics, ensuring you make an informed decision when selecting the perfect diamond for your engagement ring, wedding band, or custom jewelry piece.

1. Cut: The Key to Brilliance

The Cut of a diamond is what determines how well it reflects light, giving the stone its sparkle and brilliance. Even with perfect clarity and color, a poorly cut diamond can appear dull. The cut is not about the shape but rather the angles, proportions, and symmetry of the diamond.

Excellent Cut:

Maximizes the diamond’s brilliance and fire by allowing light to reflect perfectly through the facets.

Very Good Cut

Offers great brilliance and is more budget-friendly while maintaining a high standard of light reflection.

Good Cut:

Adequate sparkle, suitable for those balancing quality with budget.

Tip: A well-cut diamond can appear larger than its carat weight due to its increased light performance. Always prioritize the cut when selecting a diamond.

2. Color: The Subtlety of Perfection

A diamond’s Color grade refers to the presence (or absence) of color in a diamond. Diamonds are graded from D (completely colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown). The closer a diamond is to being colorless, the more valuable it is.

Colorless (D-F):

These diamonds are exceptionally rare and appear icy-white, reflecting pure light.

Near Colorless (G-J):

These diamonds appear colorless to the naked eye and offer great value without sacrificing beauty.

Faint Color (K-M):

Slight warmth or faint color may be visible, but still can look stunning in yellow gold or rose gold settings.

Tip: Consider your metal choice. A near-colorless diamond may appear whiter when set in white gold or platinum, while faint color diamonds can complement warmer metals like yellow or rose gold.

3. Clarity: Beauty from the Inside Out

Clarity measures the presence of internal inclusions or external blemishes within a diamond. The fewer imperfections a diamond has, the higher its clarity grade and the more valuable it becomes. However, many inclusions are microscopic and do not affect the stone’s beauty to the naked eye.

Flawless (FL) & Internally Flawless (IF):

Virtually no inclusions, extremely rare and highly valuable.

Very Slightly Included (VVS1-VS2):

Minute inclusions that are difficult to detect even under magnification.

Slightly Included (SI1-SI2):

Minor inclusions that are typically not visible to the naked eye, offering excellent value.

Included (I1-I3):

Visible inclusions that may affect the diamond’s transparency and brilliance.

Tip: For those seeking balance between beauty and budget, a diamond with VS2 or SI1 clarity is often the sweet spot, as its inclusions are invisible without magnification.

4. Carat: The Size and Weight of a Diamond

Carat refers to the weight of a diamond, with one carat equaling 200 milligrams. Larger diamonds are rarer and therefore more expensive, but carat weight alone doesn’t determine a diamond’s value—cut, color, and clarity are just as important in the overall look and brilliance of the diamond.

1 Carat:

A classic choice that strikes a balance between size and affordability.

0.5 to 0.9 Carat:

Offers the appearance of a larger stone when paired with an exceptional cut.

Over 1 Carat:

Provides a dramatic statement, but requires a careful balance with other factors like cut and clarity.

Tip: Consider your ring size and design. A well-cut diamond can appear larger than its carat weight, and certain settings (like a halo) can enhance the visual size of the center stone.

Our Expert Recommendations:

Choosing the perfect diamond can seem overwhelming, but at Wassan Diamonds, we are here to make the process seamless. Our expert team will:

Guide you through the 4Cs, helping you balance beauty and budget.

Offer advice on the best diamond shapes for your style—whether it’s the classic sparkle of a round diamond, the unique allure of an oval, or the vintage charm of a cushion cut.

Help you choose a diamond that matches your preferred metal, ensuring the stone and setting complement each other beautifully.

Provide tips on how to maximize the visual size of your diamond through setting choices, like opting for a halo or thinner band.

At Wassan Diamonds, we believe every diamond should be as unique and special as the love it represents. Visit us for a personalized consultation and let us guide you in selecting the perfect diamond for your engagement ring, wedding band, or custom jewelry.