What are the 4Cs of a diamond?

The 4Cs are Carat, Cut, Colour and Clarity — the four universal criteria established by GIA for grading diamond quality. Together they determine both a diamond's beauty and its market value.

Which of the 4Cs matters most?

Cut. A diamond's cut governs how it interacts with light, so an Excellent cut stone will visibly outshine a larger stone with a poor cut. If you must compromise, compromise on carat before cut.

What colour grade should I choose?

D–F are truly colourless and command the highest premium. G–J are near-colourless and appear white face-up, especially in white gold or platinum, offering the best value for most buyers.

Is VS1 clarity good enough?

Yes. VS1 means inclusions are difficult to see even under 10× magnification and are invisible to the naked eye. VS and SI1 grades are typically 'eye-clean' and represent excellent value versus FL or IF.

Are lab-grown diamonds real diamonds?

Yes. Lab-grown diamonds are chemically, physically and optically identical to mined diamonds. The only difference is origin — they are created in weeks rather than formed over billions of years — and they typically cost 60–80% less.

Does carat mean size?

Carat is a measure of weight, not size. One carat equals 0.2 grams. Two stones of the same carat weight can look different in size depending on how the weight is distributed by the cut.

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The Velmora Journal

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Guides, news and honest advice from our diamond specialists — how to choose, what to look for, and what is happening at Velmora.