Whether lab-created or earth-grown, diamonds are considered to be rare and precious. Purchasing diamonds can be overwhelming, but we’re here to make that process seamless and exciting! When looking to purchase a diamond, there are several characteristics to consider. To make the language universal, the diamond community uses the 4C’s to describe the qualities of a diamond: carats, color, cut, and clarity. These qualities are what establish the value of diamonds. 

• The carat weight of a diamond is the most commonly known quality of a diamond as it describes the size of the diamond. Typically, the larger the size, the more valuable the diamond, but only when all other qualities are similar. Diamonds are weighed in carats, which is equal to 200 mg. 
• The color of a diamond refers to the “clear” -ness of a diamond. Ideally, the less color in a diamond, the more precious it is. Color is rated using letters of the alphabet, ranging from D to Z, where D is the most colorless diamond. 
• The cut of a diamond does not refer to the shape of the diamond but rather the way the facets are cut in the diamond to create brilliance and sparkle. The grades for diamond cut range from Excellent to Poor, with more value for diamonds that have excellent cut. 
• The clarity of a diamond refers to the degree of imperfection in the diamond. Because diamonds cannot be perfect, they have blemishes and inclusions that affect their clarity, however, the closer they are to pure, the more valuable they are. Diamonds are rated on clarity using six grades: flawless (FL), internally flawless (IF), very very slightly included (VVS1 and VVS2), very slightly included (VS1 and VS2), slightly included (SI1 and SI2), and included (I1, I2, and I3). 

Aside from these characteristics, when purchasing a diamond, buyers should be sure to obtain a certified diamond. A diamond certificate is an unbiased analysis of the stone’s quality, allowing the buyer to purchase with confidence. All diamonds purchased from Crown Jewelers are certified.