Color evaluation is based on the absence of color. The diamond color grading scale starts with D, a colorless diamond, and concludes with the most increased presence of color at Z. Diamonds in this grade appear light yellow or brown.

Clarity refers to the level of naturally-occurring internal and external blemishes in a diamond. These imperfections can interfere with the light passing through a diamond, causing dullness. The clarity scale has 11 grades, beginning with “Flawless” and ending with “Included.”

Cut indicates how well a diamond’s facets interact with light. A well-cut diamond possesses a high sparkle, or scintillation, plus the additional components of brightness, fire, weight ratio, durability, polish, and symmetry. “Excellent” is the highest grade available for natural diamonds.

Carat is a diamond’s weight, not its size. A metric carat is defined as 200mg, and each carat can be subdivided into 100 points to allow for precise measurements. Remember, all 4 Cs, not just weight, impact a diamond’s value.