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How to choose a diamond? Understanding the 4Cs of a diamond.

Understanding the Carat weight, Color, Clarity, and Cut of the diamond allows you to select the diamond that best fits your criteria and budget.

4Cs of Diamond

Carat

A diamond’s weight is measured in carats. One carat is equal to 0.2 grams and is divided into 100 points so that a diamond of 0.50 carat is described as a diamond of 50 points.

Color

The color of every piece of diamond varies slightly, the different natural hues are classified into 23 grades starting from D to Z.

  • Most rare and valuable (Colorless): Grade D, E, and F
  • Most common are (Near Colorless): Grade G, H, I, and J
  • Slightly Tinted: Grade K, L, and M
  • Very Light Yellow: Grade N, O, P, Q, and R
  • Light Yellow: Grade S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, and Z
  • Colored Diamonds: Grade Z+ are

Diamonds also have some other variety of colors: brown, orange, pink and blue, etc.

Clarity

Every diamond contains natural birthmarks in the form of minute traces of other minerals arising during the crystallization process. The more and larger the intrusions are, the greater the influence would be.

  • Flawless: In/outside prefect
  • Internally Flawless: Inside prefect
  • VVS1: Very Very Slightly Included 1 – has very very small inclusions
  • VVS2: Very Very small inclusions 2 – very difficult to observe under (10X) magnification
  • VS1: Diamond has very small inclusions, which are difficult to observe under (10X) magnification.
  • VS2: Diamond has very small inclusions, which are relatively easier to observe under (10X) magnification.
  • SI1: Diamonds have obvious inclusions which, under (10X) magnification can be easily observed.
  • SI2:Diamonds have obvious inclusions which, under (10X) magnification can be very easily observed.

Cutting

  • Cut grade refers to a diamond’s proportions and the quality of its finish. A well-cut diamond (Excellent Grade) captures the light around it and makes that light perform in breathtaking ways.
    Divided into FIVE grades: Excellent / Very Good / Good / Fair / Poor
  • Proportion refers to a polished diamond’s dimensions, facet angles, and the relationships between them.
  • Finish refers to the quality of a diamond’s polish (the overall condition or smoothness of its surface).
  • Polish is visually assessed and graded in one of the following categories:
    Divided into FIVE grades: Excellent / Very Good / Good / Fair / Poor.
  • Symmetry exactness of its outline, and the shape, placement, and alignment of its facets.

Fluorescence

Indicator means when the diamond under the strong ultraviolet light blue or other colors of light.
Grading: None / Faint / Medium / Strong / Very strong

The above information is for reference only.
To read more about the 4 C’s in-depth, check out our blog article on the topic.

How do you check to make sure the diamond matches the GIA certificate issued?

Mouse over the girdle to see how the unique identity of the diamond is inscribed in the girdle of the diamond.
In Mémoire D’amour, every diamond, above 0.30 carat, issued with a GIA report comes with this laser inscription unless otherwise stated. This allows you to make sure the diamond you get is exactly the diamond that has been certified by GIA.