The 4Cs of Diamonds Explained: Cut, Color, Clarity, Carat

The 4Cs are the global standard for grading stones. Understanding them saves you money.

Cut — matters most

Cut determines sparkle. A well-cut stone returns light to the eye; a poor cut leaks it. Prioritise cut first.

Color

Graded D (colourless) to Z. Aim for D–F in moissanite and lab stones — they are routinely available colourless.

Clarity

Internal flaws called inclusions. Look for VVS–VS, which is eye-clean and standard for lab-grown stones.

Carat

Weight, not size. Cut affects face-up size, so a well-cut stone can look larger.