4C's of Diamonds
When writing the grades of a diamond using the AGS Scale, diamond Cut grade comes first, followed by Color, Clarity, and then Carat Weight—in that order. For example, a diamond with the finest cut grade, colorless, flawless clarity, and weighing one carat would be noted as: 0/0/0–1.000 carat. Clarity refers to the absence of inclusions and blemishes. Diamonds with no birthmarks are rare, and rarity boosts a diamond’s value.
CARAT WEIGHT
Carat actually refers to a diamond’s weight, not its size. The cut also matters: high-carat diamonds with poor cut grades may appear smaller than lower-carat diamonds with excellent cuts. Consider expert tips and charts to choose the best carat for you. Size ranges commonly are:
Diamond sizes shown are for visual reference only and are approximate. Actual sizes may vary.
Flawless (FL) No inclusions or blemishes visible under 10x magnification
Clarity
Clarity describes the number and size of inclusions (mainly non-crystallized carbon traces) on or within the diamond. A flawless diamond has no inclusions and is very rare. Large inclusions reduce brilliance by affecting light dispersion. Grading categories include:Color
Diamonds closer to colorless are rarer and more valuable, allowing more light to shine through for greater brilliance. Grades start at D (colorless) and go up to Z+, with rare vivid colors also available (red, blue, pink)
Cut
A diamond’s cut gives it unique sparkle and brilliance and depends on the skill of the diamond cutter. If cut is poor, even diamonds with good color and clarity lose brilliance. Cut grades include:Diamond Shapes
Shape also matters when buying diamonds. Popular shapes include princess, pear, oval, heart, cushion, marquise, and emerald, each with distinct attributes.
