Education/Diamonds & Stones
The 4Cs
The short answer
The 4 Cs of a diamond are cut, colour, clarity and carat. They describe how a diamond returns light, how colourless it is, what can be seen within it and how much it weighs. At Amarii, our Amarii Curated selection criteria are Ideal or Excellent cut, D to F colour and IF to VS2 clarity.
Interactive
Turn a diamond in your hand and watch each C change it.
What is cut?
The most important C
Cut is the most important of the 4 Cs because it determines how effectively a diamond returns light. It describes how a diamond has been proportioned, polished and finished. A well cut diamond can return light as brightness, fire and sparkle. A poorly cut diamond can lose light and appear less lively.
Amarii Curated
We only select Ideal and Excellent cut diamonds. For a round brilliant, Ideal is the highest cut grade IGI gives. Cut is the quality we consider most important because it has a significant influence on how a diamond performs when you look at it.
What does colour mean in a diamond?
How white is white?
Colour grades how close a diamond is to colourless, with D at the top of the scale. As the grade moves down the scale, increasing warmth can become visible. The differences between neighbouring grades can be subtle, particularly once a diamond is set.
Amarii Curated
We select D, E and F diamonds, the three colourless grades. This gives our collection a consistent colour range across the diamonds we offer.
What does clarity mean in a diamond?
The marks inside
Clarity describes the inclusions and other characteristics found within a diamond. These characteristics can affect how a diamond appears under magnification. The clarity scale ranges from Flawless through to Included, with several grades between them.
Amarii Curated
We select diamonds from IF through to VS2 clarity. We assess the individual stone as well as its clarity grade, with an eye clean appearance being an important part of our selection process.
What does carat mean?
Weight, and how big it reads
Carat measures a diamond's weight, not its visual size. Two diamonds with the same carat weight can have different measurements and appear different in size depending on their proportions and cut.
A well proportioned diamond can distribute more of its weight across the visible surface of the stone. This is why carat should be considered alongside cut, measurements and shape.
Amarii Curated
Lab grown diamonds allow you to consider larger carat weights while maintaining our criteria for cut, colour and clarity.
The Amarii Curated approach
The 4 Cs give you a framework for understanding a diamond. Amarii Curated applies that framework consistently when we select the diamonds we offer.
| The 4 Cs | What it tells you | Amarii Curated |
|---|---|---|
| Cut | How effectively the diamond returns light | Ideal or Excellent |
| Colour | How close the diamond is to colourless | D to F |
| Clarity | The characteristics within the diamond | IF to VS2 |
| Carat | The weight of the diamond | Your chosen size |
We believe the 4 Cs should be considered together. A larger carat does not compensate for a cut that does not perform well, just as a high clarity grade does not determine how much light a diamond returns.
Frequently asked questions about the 4 Cs
Which of the 4 Cs is most important?
Cut has the greatest influence on how effectively a diamond returns light. At Amarii, we therefore select only Ideal and Excellent cut diamonds.
Is D colour better than F colour?
D, E and F are all colourless grades. Amarii Curated includes all three, allowing us to maintain a colourless diamond selection.
What clarity does Amarii offer?
Amarii Curated includes diamonds from IF through to VS2 clarity. We assess individual stones for visual appearance as well as their laboratory grade.
Does a higher carat mean a bigger diamond?
Not necessarily. Carat measures weight. The visible size of a diamond also depends on its shape, measurements and proportions.
Which 4 Cs does Amarii prioritise?
Amarii Curated focuses on Ideal or Excellent cut, D to F colour and IF to VS2 clarity. Carat is selected according to your preferred size and budget.
Where to explore next
Made for you, made to be worn
Made to be yours
Talk it through with us. A private video consultation covers your diamond, setting and budget, with no obligation.
Book a video consultationKeep exploring
Understanding the 4 Cs is the starting point for choosing a diamond. The next step is understanding how a diamond is graded and independently documented.
Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds, with the same chemistry, hardness and fire as mined. How they are made, how they are graded and why we choose them.
Lab grown coloured diamonds, IGI graded. How colour is graded in fancy coloured diamonds and how to choose one for your engagement ring.
A clear guide to choosing an engagement ring: style, shape, metal, diamond and budget, plus how to find her ring size without asking.