It's a Ring You'll Wear Forever, So You Want to Consider the Gemstone Grade! Do You Know About the '4Cs' That Determine Diamond Ranks?

2016.01.25 published

Choosing a Wedding Ring Can Be Quite Troubling＊

Since wedding rings are something you'll wear forever, it's common to be quite troubled about the design. But, the time spent choosing a sparkling ring is fun, isn't it?♡

Are You Concerned About the Grade of Diamonds??

The diamonds on engagement rings and wedding rings. Many people find it difficult to understand because diamonds come in various sizes and prices, right? The quality and grade of diamonds are just as important as the size!!

Since it's a lifelong ring, let's study and understand the material of diamonds in order to choose a ring we won’t regret, and then go to the store with that knowledge♩

Basics! What Are the Diamond's “4Cs”? ♡

First, to determine the grade of a diamond, there is an international standard called the 4Cs (Four Cs) that evaluates the quality of cut diamonds＊

The 4Cs stand for four aspects of a diamond: Color, Clarity, Carat, and Cut; each starting with a "C," hence the term 4Cs♩

The '4C' of Diamonds ① Color

The first 'C' of the 4Cs is 'Color (color)'♩ The clearer and closer to colorless a diamond is, the higher its evaluation♡ Conversely, the more yellowish it is, the lower the value.

The color grading ranges from colorless [D], which is the highest, to yellowish [Z], with a total of 23 grades＊ When you compare them this way, the difference is quite noticeable, isn't it?♡

The '4C' of Diamonds ② Carat

The most common term you hear about diamonds is likely 'Carat,' right?♡ The second 'C' is 'Carat (carat)'♩ Carat is the unit of weight for diamonds, with 1 carat equal to 0.2g＊

Generally, as the carat increases, the cost also increases＊ However, the value of a diamond is not determined solely by carat!♡ The beauty of the diamond is determined by the excellence of all four Cs: Cut, Clarity, Carat, and Color♡

The '4C' of Diamonds ③ Clarity

The third 'C' of the 4Cs is 'Clarity (clarity)'♩ Clarity, which represents transparency, is evaluated based on the presence of blemishes, inclusions, and the size of these imperfections＊

The more inclusions a diamond has, the lower its clarity. Therefore, the higher the clarity, the higher the evaluation. Ideally, you'd want a diamond that shines with a transparent, sparkling quality, right?♡

The '4C' of Diamonds ④ Cut

The fourth 'C' is 'Cut (cut)'♩ Among the 4Cs, 'Cut' is the only aspect that is judged based on human craftsmanship. The common diamond shape, 'Round Brilliant Cut,' is what is evaluated for the cut＊

Simply cutting a diamond into an attractive shape is not enough! Cuts are evaluated across five categories, and if the shape, angle, and finish are not good, the diamond cannot exhibit its full brilliance＊

By the way, a cut that receives an 'Excellent' rating in all three categories—overall cut grade, polish quality, and symmetry—is referred to as 'Triple Excellent.' It's a dream to have a Triple Excellent diamond♡

Keep in Mind the Points of the '4Cs' to Find Your Favorite Ring♡

How was that? Bigger diamonds are not always better; diamonds that are well-balanced in terms of color, clarity, and cut are the truly beautiful diamonds♡

Understanding the 4Cs will change your perspective when choosing a ring＊ After that, it’s up to you! It’s fine to focus on quality or to be particular about design! But to find your favorite ring, studying how to choose is essential, right?♡