The 4Cs of Diamond Quality Explained

For years, A Star Diamonds has championed the art and science of diamond selection. We believe that true appreciation begins with knowledge. Understanding the 4Cs – Colour, Clarity, Cut, and Carat – empowers you to make an informed and confident choice, ensuring your diamond resonates with both beauty and value.

The 4Cs: Your Guide to Choosing Beautiful Diamonds

While choosing a diamond is deeply personal, its quality is a matter of precise evaluation. The 4Cs provide a simple way to understand what makes each diamond unique. At A Star Diamonds, we are committed to sharing this knowledge, ensuring your diamond purchase reflects both your taste and our expertise.

Diamond Colour

In the realm of diamonds, “colour” often refers to the absence of it. Subtle variations in colour, from the purest white to delicate tints, can influence both a diamond’s appearance and its value. Our expert gemmologists can help you recognise these differences, ensuring you select a diamond that radiates exceptional brilliance.

Diamond Clarity

Every diamond tells its own story, shaped by nature over millions of years. Clarity refers to the tiny internal characteristics—known as inclusions—and surface blemishes that form as a diamond grows. While most are only visible under magnification, their size, position, and number determine the diamond’s overall clarity grade.

Diamond Cut

A diamond’s cut is what brings it to life, defining how it interacts with light to create brilliance, fire, and scintillation. Masterful cutting enhances a diamond’s ability to reflect and refract light, resulting in an unmistakable sparkle. More than just shape, the cut also refers to the precision of facet arrangement and proportions—factors that significantly influence a diamond’s overall beauty.

Diamond Carat Weight

Carat weight is often mistaken for size, but it actually refers to a diamond’s weight. The term “carat” has been used for centuries, originating from carob seeds, which were historically used as a unit of measurement. Today, one metric carat is precisely 200 milligrams, serving as a universal standard in the diamond industry. While a higher carat weight can indicate rarity, true value lies in a balance of all 4Cs.