Learn About Lab-Grown Diamonds | The Carat Casa Guide

Shape

Shape refers to the outline or overall physical form of a diamond. Though it’s not one of the 4Cs of diamonds, shape is still an important factor to consider when buying a diamond. Each shape has different attributes that can affect price and quality grades. Some shapes may look larger for their carat weights, and others may hide blemishes well.

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Certification

Diamond reports and certifications can provide the full information on a diamond’s cut, color, clarity and carat weight. Unbiased diamond grading reports are offered with every Blue Nile diamond.

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Putting It All Together With Diamond Quality

As the largest online diamond retailer, we offer a vast collection of the world’s finest cut diamonds. Our diamonds are pre-selected for exceptional quality with well-graded elements of the 4Cs: cut, color, carat, and clarity. Each of the individual 4Cs of diamonds may interact with one another to impact a stone’s overall appearance. For example, an ideal cut diamond may appear less brilliant if its color rating is L or M. A well-cut stone may appear larger than a diamond of the same carat weight thanks to increased light reflection. Because of this, it’s possible to focus on just a few of the four Cs of diamonds that matter most to you and still enjoy a stunning gem. The 4Cs of our loose diamonds are evaluated based on a standardized grading scale. Each certified diamond is accompanied by a grading report from either GIA, AGSL, IGI, or GemEx. These are trusted independent diamond assessment labs with stringent grading and certification guidelines to accurately analyze the 4Cs of diamonds.Within each of the 4Cs, there are various grading levels and qualities to consider for a given diamond. Review our summary diamond 4C chart below to understand the quality grades for each of the four Cs of diamonds.

Fancy Shapes And The Four Cs Of Diamonds

Most diamond education surrounding the 4Cs focuses on standard diamond shapes, but there are also other fancy shapes which still require assessment. While round brilliant is the most popular diamond shape, there are many other shapes available. We offer nine different fancy-shaped diamonds that bring a personality all their own. Also known as fancy-cut stones, these diamonds are
still graded by their cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. The 4Cs of diamonds can behave a little differently for fancy cuts. Elements such as clarity and carat can be more forgiving in fancy-shape diamonds. Larger tables can make these diamonds appear bigger, maximizing a lower carat weight. Inclusions that are a consideration for round diamonds may be disguised or removed altogether in more specialized cuts. Fancy-shaped diamond 4Cs are also unique in terms of clarity, with different shaped stones adding their own faceting to the mix. Even if you’re buying a fancy-shaped stone, it’s still important to consider the four Cs of diamonds and how they influence your gem’s value and appearance.

Colorful Diamonds and the 4Cs

While diamond color is one of the four Cs in respect to how colorless a stone is, there are some diamonds where colorful hues are intentional and even prized. Colored diamonds are available inhues of yellow, pink, green, blue and even brown. For fancy color diamonds, color isn't about how colorless the diamond is, instead it’s about the stone’s hue, intensity, overtones, and saturation.
Diamond guide tips for these colorful diamonds are a little different as more intense colors are often prized in these gems. When shopping for colored diamonds, the Cs of cut, clarity and carat weight are also still important.

How To Buy A Diamond

With so many diamonds for sale, there are a lot of options to choose from. Buying a diamond doesn't have to feel like a guessing game. Learning a little about the 4Cs, diamond quality and how these influence diamond price can make the buying journey a simple one. Every purchase is unique, but there are some core steps for buying a diamond that you can expect to navigate as you find the perfect fit. There are three main steps to buying the perfect diamond. First, you should familiarize yourself with the 4Cs of diamonds to understand how these factors influence diamond price and beauty. Then, you should begin browsing selections from diamond sellers you trust to see what these gems look like. You can compare diamonds side by side to get a better idea of how they differ. Finally, you can pick the diamond that best matches your budget and the wearer’s tastes. If you have any questions on how to buy a diamond or need help assessing which diamond qualities are most important to your purchase, we encourage you to reach out to our experts at our local jewelry stores or through a personalized online jewelry shopping experience. Our diamond experts are always happy to help you learn more about the 4Cs, contact us for help with any questions you may have.