Overview

Cut

Color

Clarity
Carat

Understanding the 4Cs

New to diamond education? The 4Cs give you a starting point for comparing diamonds: cut, colour, clarity and carat weight. Use them together, then look at the individual stone and the report supplied with it.

What are the 4Cs of diamonds?

  • Cut: how a diamond’s proportions and craftsmanship influence its interaction with light.
  • Colour: the presence or absence of colour within the grading system used.
  • Clarity: internal inclusions and surface blemishes assessed under magnification.
  • Carat: weight, which is different from face-up size.

Use diamond education while you shop

Open the tabs to explore each characteristic. Compare stones in similar lighting and check dimensions as well as grades. A report helps describe a diamond; your preferred appearance also matters.

Start with natural diamonds or lab-grown diamonds, and read our guide to their different origins. Report formats can vary by laboratory, service and origin; use our grading report guide when comparing paperwork.

Bring your shortlist together with engagement ring settings and our engagement ring budget guide. Shop online or ask for help at our Toronto and Mississauga showrooms.

Source: GIA: Diamond Quality Factors.

diamond_4cs
Artistic Craft

While our dedicated artisans are steeped in time-honored, old world traditions, we never lose sight of contemporary trends, keeping our brand up to the minute and stylish, while remaining tasteful at the same time.

With the world shifting to digital retail, Damasci, long known for its enhanced retail experience, is moving forward with the times as well as offering its valued customers an online retail experience second to none, combined with personal attention, care and favorable prices which our reputation is built upon.
Over the centuries, the treasureable diamond has come to symbolize beauty, commitment and above all, true love.

Damasci Associate

The 4 Cs of a Stone

Use the cut, colour, clarity and carat tabs to compare individual characteristics. Read the diamond’s actual report and look at its appearance before choosing.

The Cut of a Stone

Cut describes how a diamond interacts with light; shape describes its outline. GIA’s overall cut grade applies to standard round brilliant diamonds in the D-to-Z range. Compare fancy shapes individually.

GIA: Diamond Cut.

Table

Crown

Girdle

Lower Half

Pavilion

Culet

Star

Depth

Diamonds_Anatomy_4x_fe73c81e-982d-4319-b9ee-79a9c3ddb1b8

The table is the large top facet. Its proportion is considered with the rest of the diamond, not in isolation.

Diamonds_Anatomy_4x_fe73c81e-982d-4319-b9ee-79a9c3ddb1b8

The crown sits above the girdle. Crown height and angles form part of the diamond’s overall proportions.

Diamonds_Anatomy_4x_fe73c81e-982d-4319-b9ee-79a9c3ddb1b8

The girdle separates crown and pavilion. Ask about thickness and setting suitability.

Diamonds_Anatomy_4x_fe73c81e-982d-4319-b9ee-79a9c3ddb1b8

Lower-half facets are on the pavilion. Their proportions contribute to the facet pattern.

Diamonds_Anatomy_4x_fe73c81e-982d-4319-b9ee-79a9c3ddb1b8

The pavilion is below the girdle. Its depth and angles affect light behaviour.

Diamonds_Anatomy_4x_fe73c81e-982d-4319-b9ee-79a9c3ddb1b8

The culet is a small facet at the base; a pointed base may be described as having no culet.

Diamonds_Anatomy_4x_fe73c81e-982d-4319-b9ee-79a9c3ddb1b8

Star facets surround the table on the crown.

Diamonds_Anatomy_4x_fe73c81e-982d-4319-b9ee-79a9c3ddb1b8

Total depth measures the diamond from table to culet.

Compare the diamond’s complete proportions and appearance. No single measurement or marketing label guarantees a particular visual result.

Signature Ideal

Excellent / Ideal (EX)

Very Good (VG)

Good (G)

Cut-Signature-ideal

Damasci Signature Ideal

Damasci Signature Ideal is a Damasci selection label. Ask which specifications apply to the individual diamond; it is not a separate GIA cut grade.

Cut-ideal_4x-100

EX

Ideal is used in different ways by sellers and laboratories. Check the issuing laboratory and actual report.

Cut-vg_4x-100

VG

Check the report’s cut assessment and view the stone. Similar grades can still show different appearances.

Cut-g_4x-100

g

Choose by the individual diamond, report and your preferences; compare options within your budget.

The Color of a Stone

For diamonds in the GIA D-to-Z system, D is colourless and Z has more noticeable colour. Fancy-colour diamonds use a different approach. Compare stones in suitable lighting and with your preferred metal.

GIA: Diamond Color.

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

color-d_4x-100

D (Colorless)

D belongs to the colourless D–F range. Compare the individual stone and report.

color-e_4x-100

E (Colorless)

E belongs to the colourless D–F range. Subtle differences require controlled comparison.

color-f_4x-100

F (Colorless)

F belongs to the colourless D–F range. Consider appearance alongside the other characteristics.

color-g_4x-100

G (Near Colorless)

G is within the near-colourless G–J range. View the stone in your intended setting.

color-h_4x-100

H (Near Colorless)

H is within the near-colourless G–J range. Compare actual diamonds rather than relying on a letter alone.

color-i_4x-100

I (Near Colorless)

I is within the near-colourless G–J range. Colour visibility varies with the stone and viewing conditions.

color-j_4x-100

J (Near Colorless)

J remains within the near-colourless G–J range. K–M is the faint range in GIA’s D-to-Z system.

There is no single colour grade that every buyer should choose. Compare what you see.

color-chart_2x-100
Click to enlarge

Discuss your preferred balance of appearance and price, and confirm the grade on the report.

The Clarity of a Stone

Clarity describes inclusions and blemishes. GIA evaluates their size, number, position, nature and relief at 10× magnification. A grade alone does not guarantee an eye-clean appearance.

GIA: Diamond Clarity.

FL / IF

VVS1 / VVS2

VS1 / VS2

SI1 / SI2

I1

I2

I3

clarity-if

Internally flawless

FL: no inclusions or blemishes visible to a skilled grader at 10×. IF: no inclusions visible at 10×; surface blemishes may be present.

clarity-vvs2

Very very slightly included

VVS1–VVS2: inclusions are difficult for a skilled grader to see at 10×.

clarity-vs2

Very slightly included

VS1–VS2: minor inclusions assessed at 10×. Inspect the individual diamond.

clarity-si2

Slightly included

SI1–SI2: inclusions are noticeable at 10×. Their visibility without magnification varies.

clarity-i1

Included

I1: inclusions are obvious at 10× and may affect transparency or brilliance.

clarity-i2

Included

I2: inclusions are obvious at 10× and may affect transparency or brilliance.

clarity-i3

Included

I3: inclusions are obvious at 10× and may affect transparency or brilliance.

The Carat of a Stone

Carat measures weight: one metric carat is 0.2 grams. Equal weights can have different face-up dimensions because shape and proportions vary. Read measurements alongside carat weight.

GIA: Diamond Carat Weight.

0.25

0.33

0.5

0.75

1.0

1.25

1.50

1.75

2.0

2.5

3.0

4.0

5.0

0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
4
5

Compare actual measurements, appearance and total price at several weights. Use our budget guide to decide which trade-offs suit you.