Diamond Guide

When choosing a diamond, understanding its quality and value is essential. The 4Cs—Carat, Cut, Color, and Clarity—are the global standard for evaluating diamonds. Here's what they mean:

1. Carat Carat refers to the weight of a diamond. Larger diamonds are rarer and often more valuable, but carat weight alone doesn’t determine a diamond’s beauty. Balance carat weight with the other Cs to find the perfect diamond for your needs.

  • Did you know? A one-carat diamond weighs exactly 200 milligrams, about the same as a paperclip.

2. Cut The cut affects how well a diamond reflects light, directly influencing its sparkle. A well-cut diamond will appear more brilliant and dazzling. The cut grade ranges from Excellent to Poor. This grade is determined by three key factors: brilliance (the diamond's brightness), pattern (the arrangement of its facets), and fire (the dispersion of light into colors of the spectrum).

  • Did you know? The round brilliant cut, with 58 facets, is specifically designed to maximize a diamond's sparkle.

3. Color Diamonds are graded on their lack of color, with a scale ranging from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown). At AVIR NY, we work exclusively with colorless lab-grown diamonds (grades D-F) for unmatched brilliance. For natural diamonds, we primarily use near-colorless stones (grades H-I), offering a perfect balance of beauty and value.

  • Did you know? The color of a diamond is evaluated under controlled lighting and precise viewing conditions.

4. Clarity Clarity measures the presence of internal flaws (inclusions) and surface imperfections (blemishes). Graded from Flawless (no inclusions visible under 10x magnification) to Included (inclusions visible to the naked eye), higher clarity diamonds are more valuable. At AVIR NY, we select VVS-VS clarity stones for our lab-grown diamonds, ensuring exceptional quality and sparkle. For natural diamonds, we primarily work with SI clarity stones, offering beautiful and affordable options.

  • Did you know? No two diamonds have the same inclusions, making each stone entirely unique.

Understanding the 4Cs will help you make an informed decision when purchasing a diamond, ensuring it aligns with your preferences and budget. For personalized assistance, feel free to contact us.