Diamond Education | The Diamond Pro

Education

Beyond just the four C’s, browse our comprehensive diamond research and educational articles. Our diamond experts have collectively spent decades in the diamond industry to provide you with free and unbiased advice.

Each of the 4 Cs play a role in a diamond’s beauty, though it is difficult to decipher one component by itself.

Read our complete guide to 4Cs of diamonds

Diamond Color Chart & Buying Guide: Understand Grade Scale 10 Articles
Diamond Clarity Guide 16 Articles
The Diamond Cuts Guide 13 Articles
Understanding Diamond Carat Weight 1 Articles

The Four C'sThe Complete Diamond Color GuideYour intention with diamond color should be to find a diamond that appears colorless. To do this, you don’t need to go to the top of the diamond color scale. Very high grades offer little visible difference, but come withNov 05, 2019
The Four C'sD Color Grade DiamondsThinking of buying a D color diamond? I think it would cross anybody's mind. After all, looking at a diamond like this one from Blue Nile that is incredibly clear is enticing. While D color diamonds look absolutely stunning inNov 08, 2019
The Four C'sE Color Grade DiamondsAre you thinking of buying an E color diamond for your fiancé-to-be’s engagement ring or other diamond jewelry? Does seem like an absolute perfect choice for you? Can you tell the difference between that one and ? What Are E ColorNov 01, 2019
The Four C'sF Color Grade DiamondsIf you’re looking to buy an engagement ring, you’re probably aware of the importance of color and how it can affect a diamond’s appearance. Here’s what we’ll cover in this article: What are F color diamonds?Comparison of F color andNov 07, 2019
The Four C'sG Color Grade DiamondsIf you’re thinking of buying a diamond, choosing the right color is one of several decisions you’ll need to make. Diamonds come in a range of colors, from D (colorless) to Z (visibly yellow). As the highest color grade inNov 08, 2019
The Four C'sH Color Grade DiamondsIf you are considering an H color diamond, you are right in the wheelhouse of our favorite color to recommend. After all, who wouldn't want a stunning diamond like this one from Blue Nile? Can you really tell the differenceNov 07, 2019
The Four C'sI Color Grade DiamondsThinking of buying an I color diamond? An I color diamond can look absolutely gorgeous, all while offering better value for money than a more expensive diamond with a higher GIA color grade. Just today I recommended this stunner ofNov 07, 2019
The Four C'sJ Color Grade DiamondsConsidering a J color diamond? J color diamonds can be a great choice in certain situations For example a diamond like this one from James Allen is stunning and will look perfect in certain engagement rings. Many people may gravitateNov 07, 2019
The Four C'sK Color Grade DiamondsA K color diamond is not always a bad choice. It can make a beautiful choice with the right shape, cut quality and setting style. For example, would look stunning in a yellow gold or rose gold setting like thisNov 11, 2020
The Four C'sThe 4 C's of Diamonds: Evaluating Diamond QualityEach of the 4 C’s of diamonds (Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat) play a role in a diamond’s beauty. The grades a diamond carries in these four areas give a clear idea of the diamond’s quality, and by extension theJun 15, 2017

The Four C'sDiamond Clarity GuideWhat is Diamond Clarity? Diamond clarity is a qualitative metric that grades the visual appearance of each diamond. The fewer inclusions and blemishes a diamond has, the better its clarity grade will be. The clarity of a diamond can haveNov 14, 2016
The Four C'sEye-Clean Diamonds: Everything You Need to KnowWhen it comes to diamond clarity, the main goal is to find an eye-clean diamond. This means that no blemishes or inclusions are visible when you look at the diamond yourself. With eye-clean diamonds, it doesn't matter what imperfections youOct 30, 2019
The Four C'sIF and FL Diamond Clarity GradesFlawless and internally flawless diamonds represent less than half a percent of all diamonds in the world. Without any visible inclusions even under 10x magnification, these diamonds are pristine, incredibly rare—and incredibly expensive. Take a look at The flawless diamondOct 03, 2019
The Four C'sComplete VVS Diamond Clarity Buying GuideBottom Line Recommendation An eye-clean diamond (of any grade) will look identical to VVS Diamonds assuming all else is equal (yet will cost far far less). Because inclusions and blemishes in both VVS and VS Diamonds are only visible atApr 18, 2017
The Four C'sComplete VVS1 Diamond Clarity Buying Guide1.02ct G VVS1 Princess Cut Diamond VVS1 diamonds are absolutely stunning from a clarity perspective, but does that make them the right choice for you? Take a look at and compare it to Can you tell the difference between theMar 18, 2020
The Four C'sVVS2 Diamond: The Complete GuideVVS2 diamonds are exceptionally high-quality when it comes to Diamond Clarity. However, to the naked eye, a VVS2 clarity diamond may not look any different from one several grades lower, yet will come at a higher price. What is aFeb 07, 2022
The Four C'sVS Diamonds: Buyer's GuideBottom Line Recommendation: We think VS clarity diamonds are a great choice. Buying an eye-clean VS1 or VS2 diamond will give you a diamond that looks identical to a flawless (FL) clarity diamond to the naked eye, all at aMay 26, 2020
The Four C'sGuide to VS1 Clarity DiamondsBottom Line Recommendation: Generally, we recommend seeking a diamond with a Clarity grade of VS1 to SI2. With a pretty VS1 or VS2 diamond, your stone will look identical to a Flawless Clarity diamond (assuming all else is equal), yetMar 20, 2018
The Four C'sA Complete Guide to VS2 Diamond ClarityBottom Line Recommendation: We recommend looking for a diamond with a VS1 to SI2 Clarity grade. A beautiful VS2 or VS1 diamond will look identical to a Flawless graded diamond, assuming all other grades and features are equal (yet will costMar 20, 2018
The Four C'sGuide to SI1 Clarity DiamondsHere’s what we’ll cover in this article: What are SI clarity diamonds?What is the difference between SI and VS diamonds?What is an SI1 clarity diamond?What tips should I follow to get a beautiful SI1 clarity diamond?Where is the best placeSep 30, 2019
The Four C'sUnderstanding SI2 Clarity GradeHere’s what we’ll cover in this article: What is the difference between SI1 and SI2 diamonds?Should I focus on SI2 clarity when buying a diamond?What tips should I follow to get a beautiful SI2 clarity diamond?Where is the best placeOct 01, 2019
The Four C'sA Guide to SI3 Clarity Grade DiamondsBottom Line Recommendation: We strongly encourage all readers to steer clear of diamonds with a Clarity grade of SI3. The SI3 grade is used by lab entities that are not reliable—and you'll likely get a diamond with less beauty andMar 20, 2018
The Four C'sAn Expert Guide to I1 Clarity DiamondsI1 diamonds fall on the low end of the Clarity scale. Clarity refers to the blemishes and inclusions present in the stone. Third-party labs, like the GIA, give out clarity grades when they issue a report for a diamond. ForOct 11, 2019
The Four C'sI2 Clarity DiamondsDue to the intense heat and pressure that diamonds face during their formation, they all have imperfections. Some imperfections are visible, while others are not. With I2 diamonds, inclusions and blemishes are easily visible under magnification and by the nakedOct 11, 2019
The Four C'sCloudy Diamonds Buyers GuideAs you may have read elsewhere on our website, its best to find an "eye-clean" diamond of lower clarity grade (like we discuss in our SI2 article). There is one "hidden" flaw that is disastrous. Not only will it sapOct 30, 2019
The Four C'sDiamond Feather Inclusions: What to Watch ForDiamonds have all sorts of inclusions. A feather inclusion is one type of internal inclusion. It's a crack within the diamond that has a feathery look when viewed from a right angle. Depending on the color, size and location ofOct 30, 2019

The Four C'sThe Diamond Cuts GuideCut is possibly the most important of the 4Cs. If you ignore it, you can make an enormous mistake. For example, this diamond from James Allen seems like a great find, as it is 6% cheaper than this diamond fromJun 22, 2009
The Four C'sHearts & Arrows Diamonds - Are they worth it?Hearts & Arrows diamonds are precision-cut diamonds that generally come with a premium price tag. These super-ideal cut diamonds can really stand out, but in some cases may not be worth the extra money. Knowing what to look for andDec 15, 2016
The Four C'sUnderstanding Diamond Depth and TableHere’s what we’ll cover in this article: Are Depth and Table important in a diamond?What is a diamond's table?What is the ideal table size for a diamond?What is diamond's depth?What is a good depth for a diamond? Bottom Line Recommendation:TheFeb 07, 2019
The Four C'sDiamond Culet: Everything You Need to KnowBottom Line Recommendation: For most diamonds, you should limit your search only to diamonds with no culet (this is also referred to as a pointed culet). A diamond with a large culet grade won’t have the same brilliance, and theAug 16, 2019
The Four C'sDiamond SymmetryWhat is Diamond Symmetry? Diamond Symmetry refers to how well aligned the facets of a diamond are. i.e., do the edges of the facets on the top and bottom of the diamond line up along the girdle? Are the facetsJun 21, 2009
The Four C'sUnderstanding Diamond FluorescenceSo you're looking to buy a diamond and you start hearing the word fluorescence thrown around. What does it mean? Some jewelers tell you its a good thing, some tell you its terrible. Who is telling the truth? Who isJun 22, 2009
The Four C'sDiamond Polish: Grades & Impact on PriceWhat is Diamond Polish? Diamond polish is the quality and condition of the facet surfaces. If the facets—which act like tiny mirrors—are clear and smooth, they reflect light well. If a diamond's facets aren't smooth, they can inhibit or alterJun 22, 2009
The Four C'sTriple Excellent (GIA XXX) Diamonds: What You Need to KnowBottom Line Recommendation: Triple Excellent GIA Certified diamonds are the Cadillacs (or Mercedes, depending on your tastes) of diamonds. A GIA triple excellent diamond will have superb fire and brilliance. Take a look at and compare it to The differenceOct 08, 2020
The Four C'sWhat are Spready (Spread) Diamonds?Many people envision a big diamond for their engagement ring. Whether it's a 1 Carat or 3 Carat diamond, they have their eyes set on a large stone. But a diamond's size isn't the only thing that matters. In fact,Aug 07, 2019
The Four C'sA Guide to Diamond ProportionsA diamond's proportions are incredibly important. While it may seem like a hodgepodge of digits and percentages, if you ignore it, you may end up with a diamond that has no sparkle whatsoever. The color and clarity grades are simpleDec 16, 2019
The Four C'sHow to Buy Old European Cut DiamondsBottom Line Recommendation: An old European cut diamond can look fantastic in any engagement ring, especially a vintage setting. As the predecessor to the modern round brilliant cut, the old European cut is quite brilliant for a vintage diamond cut,Apr 08, 2020
The Four C'sOld Mine Cut DiamondsBottom Line Recommendation: Old mine cut diamonds have a beautiful appearance that dates back to an era when diamonds were cut and polished by hand. Like other antique diamonds, old mine cut diamonds have a softer look than modern diamonds,Apr 08, 2020
The Four C'sRose Cut Diamonds: Buying GuideBottom Line Recommendation: Rose cut diamonds offer a warm, unique appearance that’s completely unlike any of the modern diamond cuts. As such, the right rose cut diamond can make for a truly special engagement ring if you’re looking for somethingApr 13, 2020

The Four C'sUnderstanding Diamond Carat WeightHere’s what we’ll cover in this article: Diamond Size Chart: MM to Carat WeightWhat is a Diamond Carat?Why Does Diamond Carat Weight Matter?What is the Weight of Half Carat Diamond?How Large is a Half Carat Diamond? Bottom Line Recommendation: ChooseJun 22, 2009

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