When it comes to getting down on one knee and surprising the bride with the ring of her dreams, there is more to consider about a diamond than its sparkle. You might be surprised to know that each diamond has its own unique characteristics and qualities?which is why when you visit your jeweler, they will most likely talk about the 4 Cs of diamonds. The 4 Cs are the Gemological Institute of America’s (GIA) grading system for a diamond, standing for cut, color, clarity, and carat. This globally accepted standard assesses the quality of your diamond and therefore its price when factored altogether.

The Cut

According to the GIA, the quality of a diamond?s cut “determines how well it unleashes its light.” Because the cut of the stone has the greatest influence on a diamond’s sparkle, the cut is the most important C. For example, your diamond may have a high rank on the color grade and great clarity (as discussed below), but if it has a poor cut, it may appear dull. So what does “cut” refer to" A diamond’s cutting style refers to how the diamond?s facets are arranged as well as its polish and proportion. While the most popular diamond shape is round, there are a number of other shapes (oval, princess, emerald, heart, and marquise) to consider. Cuts are measured on a scale of five: Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, and Poor. The higher the quality of the cut (excellent or very good) the more expensive the stone will be. The Color
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