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4Cs. Keys to valuing a diamond
The actual price of diamonds can vary significantly based on market factors, but in essence there are four key fundamentals. The 4Cs: Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat. At Diamantes.com, we offer a broad perspective on how these characteristics influence the market value of these precious gems, providing buyers with an essential tool for understanding and navigating the complex world of diamond buying.
Cut
The cut of a diamond refers to its shape, proportions and cut quality. A proper cut maximises brilliance, sparkle and light dispersion within the diamond. Well-cut diamonds display a play of light and shadow, creating a desired scintillation effect, the scintillation (or sparkle) and fire of the diamond, i.e. how light is reflected and scattered through the stone.
Colour
The colour of a diamond is one of the most important factors influencing its value. Colourless diamonds are the most valuable, as they allow light to pass through them freely, resulting in optimal brilliance and sparkle.
Clarity or purity
A diamond's purity, also known as clarity, is a critical measure that evaluates the presence of internal inclusions and surface flaws called imperfections. These natural characteristics can range from tiny internal blemishes to fissures visible to the naked eye, and their size, number, position, colour or visibility determine a diamond's clarity rating.
Carat
Carat weight is a measure of a diamond's mass. One carat equals 0.2 grams. The value of a diamond increases with its carat weight, as larger diamonds are rarer and therefore more valuable. This unit of measurement has its roots in the ancient practice of using carob beans, which have uniform weights, as a reference for weighing gems. The word "carat" is derived from "qirat", an Arabic word meaning "bean".