The value of anything is measured by a precise set of parameters that define it. Diamonds are no exception. Every Diamond is unique and its value varies based on a number of factors that makes the diamonds rare and precious. Without a systematic way of evaluating it, it would be impossible to compare one diamond to another. Worldwide, Diamond professionals use a special set of four value factors to describe & classify diamonds. They call it the 4 Cs.

• 1. Clarity
• 2. Color
• 3. Cut
• 4. Carat weight

Few things in nature are absolutely perfect. That’s as true of diamonds as anything else. Diamonds have internal features called Blemishes (the external scratches or nicks) and Inclusions (on the inside or may extend from the surface of the stone into the interior). They are together called the Clarity characteristics. Clarity is hence the relative absence of these characteristics. Apart from their negative effects, they work positives too:

• 1. Inclusions help gemologists separate diamond from simulants as, Inclusions have a different appearance in each of it.
• 2. They help identify individual stones as no two diamonds have the same Clarity characteristics.
• 3. They provide valuable insights into how diamonds are formed. Blemishes are relatively easier to touch upon whereas Inclusions would take cutting and repolishing resulting in weight reduction of the diamond. But end of the day, improved clarity guarantees increased value, irrespective of the weight loss due to correction. Flawless diamond is something that has absolutely no flaws under 10X magnification, and on the lower end, there are diamonds with inclusions notable even in unaided eye. The stones in the retail are usually between these 2 extremes.

People commonly assume that diamonds are colorless in nature. In reality, colorless diamonds are quite rare and accordingly expensive. Most of the diamonds used in Jewelry today is yellow or brown tinted. In fact they also come in a range of exotic colors like red, purple and green. More the colors, more the value and so the brightest & purest colors are most desirable. Size makes a big difference in a diamond’s color Bigger the size more obvious is the color. The differences in color may be subtle but the price variations are huge.

• 1. Brilliance: It is the combination of all the white light reflections from the surface and the inside of the diamond, giving the polished diamond its brightness.
• 2. Fire: It is the word for the flashes of colors seen in a polished diamond.
• 3. Scintillation: It describes the flashes of light you see when the diamond, the light or the observer moves.

When it comes to weight, Diamonds are weighed in great precision. Diamond weights are stated in metric carats, abbreviated as ‘cts’.
1 Metric carat (ct) = 1/5th of a gram = just over 1/7000th of an ounce (1 ounce = almost 142 carats)
Diamonds are weighed to a thousandth of a carat and rounded to the nearest hundredth or point.
Fractions of a carat can mean price differentiation to a large extent.
The metric carat is divided into 100 points. For eg: 1.34 cts = 1 carat 34 points.