The four Cs are the four charactersitics that determine the quality and value of a diamond. The four Cs consist of the following:

• Cut
• Color
• Clarity
• Carat Weight

Cut

Many people confuse cut with the shape of a diamond. Diamonds are cut into a number of shapes, depending on the nature of the rough stone. The most popular are round, marquise, oval, pear, heart, and emerald, and the choice is largely a matter of personal preference. Whatever the shape, however, a well cut diamond is the work of a master diamond cutter.

When cut to good proportions, the diamond is better able to handle light, creating more scintillation, more sparkle. And that's a great reflection on you. The cut is what enables a diamond to make the best use of light. When a diamond is cut to good proportions, light is reflected from one facet to another and then dispersed through the top of the stone. If the cut of the diamond is too deep, some light escapes.

Color

Diamonds are found with a variety of colors, from faint yellow or brown through to the very rare pinks, blues, greens, and other colors known as "fancies". However, the best color for a diamond is no color. It is a totally colorless diamond that allows white light to pass effortlessly through and be dispersed as rainbows of color. And to give a woman such a diamond is to show your true colors as well. The color grading scale usually begins from totally colorless to light yellow. The differences between one grade and another are very subtle, as can be seen by the number of grades within any one category.

Clarity

To determine a diamond's clarity, it is viewed under 10-power magnifacation by a trained eye. Most diamonds contain very tiny natural birthmark known as inclusions. However, the fewer and smaller the inclusions are, the less likely it is that they will interfere with the passage of light through the diamond, and the more beautiful the diamond will be.

Diamonds, more than any other gemstone, have the capability to produce the maximum amount of brilliance.

A diamond that is free of both inclusions and surface blemishes is very rare and therefore more valuable. So, the clearer the diamond, the clearer your choice.

Carat Weight

Carat weight is the weight of the diamond measured in carats. One carat is equal to 100 points, so a diamond of 75 points weighs .75 carats. Carat weight is the easiest of the 4Cs to determine. But two diamonds of equal weight can have very unequal value, depending on their cut, color, and clarity. Fine quality can be found in diamonds of all shapes and sizes. And a fine quality diamond is a little extra weight she would be pleased to put on.