Diamonds’ beauty is crystal-clear. But the words used to describe them? Not so straightforward. Enter: our rundown of diamond terminology, also known as “the four Cs.” Read up, then let your know-how shine.
1. Cut
Brilliant or marquise, pear or princess: Each stone reveals something different about the wearer. Love all things vintage? An art deco emerald should do the trick. Prefer the finer things in life? You’re a cushion kind of gal. But we’re not just talking shape: The better the cut, the more a diamond will sparkle.
2. Color
Diamonds are assigned a grade based on their hue, from D (completely colorless) to Z. While the goal is absolute transparency, some stones are extra valuable, like the ultra-rare red diamond. Generally speaking, the more yellow a stone, the less chemically pure it is.
3. Clarity
A diamond’s grade is also determined by the number of markings it has. Tiny natural imperfections are known as inclusions. The fewer the blemishes, the higher the quality – for example, an FL rating is virtually flawless.
4. Carat
Ahh, the “C” we’re most familiar with. But what many people don’t know is that carat refers to weight, not the actual size of the gem. The heavier the diamond, the more valuable it is.
By Sophie Dodd, Staff Writer
