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Diamond Education

Understanding the 4Cs

Carat, Cut, Colour and Clarity determine a diamond's beauty and value. Learn how each factor shapes brilliance before you buy.

01

Carat

Carat measures weight, not size — one carat equals 0.2 grams. Two stones of equal weight can appear different in size depending on how the cutter distributed that weight. Prices rise sharply at whole-number thresholds, so a 0.95ct stone offers noticeably better value than a 1.00ct of identical quality.

0.300.500.701.00 1.502.003.00+
02

Cut

The single most important C. Cut describes the precision of the faceting — not the shape — and governs how light enters, reflects and returns to your eye. An Excellent cut stone will visibly outperform a larger stone that is cut poorly. If you compromise anywhere, never compromise here.

ExcellentVery GoodGoodFair
03

Colour

Graded D (completely colourless) through Z (light yellow or brown). D–F are colourless and carry the highest premium; G–J are near-colourless and look white face-up, particularly in white gold or platinum. Fancy colour diamonds — vivid yellow, pink, blue — are graded on an entirely separate scale where saturation increases value.

DEF GHIJK+
04

Clarity

Describes internal inclusions and surface blemishes under 10× magnification. FL and IF are flawless and rare. VVS and VS grades are invisible to the naked eye and represent the sweet spot for most buyers. SI stones can still be eye-clean depending on where the inclusions sit.

FLIFVVS1VVS2 VS1VS2SI1SI2I1

Beyond the 4Cs

Three further factors appear on every Velmora product page and are worth understanding:

  • Polish & Symmetry — the quality of the finish and the alignment of facets. Excellent or Very Good in both is the benchmark for a well-made stone.
  • Fluorescence — how a diamond reacts to UV light. None to Faint is generally preferred; strong fluorescence can occasionally make a stone appear slightly milky, though in lower colour grades it can actually improve the face-up appearance.
  • Certification — an independent laboratory report from GIA, IGI or HRD. Never buy a significant diamond without one. Every Velmora stone includes its certificate number and a direct link to verify it with the issuing lab.

Our practical recommendation. For most buyers, an Excellent cut, G–H colour, VS1–VS2 clarity stone with None to Faint fluorescence delivers the best balance of visible beauty and value. Filter for exactly that on our All Diamonds page.

Frequently asked questions

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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