Diamond Education

All about the Four C’s

Buying a diamond is often a very personal experience. Diamonds can be bought to signify love, accomplishments, or milestones in your life. Unlike when you buy clothing, electronics, or cars, the features of a diamond may not seem quite so obvious to you.

At Pico Jewelry, we would like to change that. The more you know about your diamond jewelry, the more confident you will feel when making your diamond jewelry choices.

Take a moment to learn more about the 4C’s and find out how they play an important role in making your diamond jewelry unique.

1. Cut
The cut of a diamond refers to how well it has been shaped and faceted. It affects the diamond’s brilliance and sparkle. A well-cut diamond will reflect light beautifully, creating a dazzling display of brilliance. The cut is graded from Excellent to Poor, with higher grades reflecting superior craftsmanship. The cut determines how light interacts with the diamond, enhancing its overall beauty and value.

2. Color
Diamond color refers to the presence of any hues or tints within the diamond. The most sought-after diamonds are those with little to no color, appearing colorless to the naked eye. Diamonds are graded on a scale from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown). A diamond with a grade closer to D will have a pure, white appearance, while those with a higher color grade may exhibit subtle tones that can affect their value and desirability.

3. Clarity
Clarity measures the presence of internal or external imperfections, known as inclusions and blemishes. These natural flaws can affect the diamond’s overall appearance and brilliance. The clarity scale ranges from Flawless (no visible imperfections) to Included (inclusions visible to the naked eye). Higher clarity grades indicate fewer imperfections and a clearer, more beautiful diamond. However, many inclusions are microscopic and may not affect the diamond’s visual appeal significantly.

4. Carat Weight
Carat weight measures the size of the diamond. Larger diamonds are rarer and more valuable, but carat weight alone does not determine a diamond’s quality. A diamond’s overall value is a combination of carat weight with the other three C’s. Two diamonds of equal carat weight may differ greatly in cut, color, and clarity, affecting their overall beauty and price.