Skip to main content
  • About
  • News
  • Contact
  • Log In
  • My Wishlist 
  • My Shopping Bag 
  • Call us at (540) 586-8034
Arthur's Jewelry
  • Bridal
    • Start With The Ring
    • Start With The Diamond
    • Shop Engagement Rings
      • Engagement Rings
      • Semi-Mount Engagement Rings
      • Bridal Sets
      • Anniversary Rings
      • Wrap Rings
    • Shop Wedding Bands
      • Women's Wedding Bands
      • Men's Wedding Bands
    • Diamond Education
    • Settings Education
  • Jewelry
    • Bridal
      • Engagement Rings
      • Semi-Mount Rings
      • Anniversary Bands
      • Bridal Sets
    • Men's Wedding Bands
      • Men's Diamond Wedding Bands
      • Men's Alternative Metal Wedding Bands
    • Women's Wedding Bands
      • Women's Diamond Wedding Bands
      • Women's Platinum Wedding Bands
      • Women's Gold Wedding Bands
    • Rings
      • Diamond Rings
      • Gold Rings
      • Gemstone Rings
      • Men's Gemstone Rings
      • Silver Rings
      • Fresh Water Pearl Rings
      • Fashion Rings
    • Earrings
      • Diamond Earrings
      • Gold Earrings
      • Silver Earrings
      • Gemstone Earrings
      • Cultured Pearl Earrings
      • Hoop Earrings
      • Earring Jackets
    • Bracelets
      • Diamond Bracelets
      • Gold Bracelets
      • Gemstone Bracelets
      • Silver Bracelets
      • Cultured Pearl Bracelets
      • Anklets
    • Necklaces
      • Diamond Necklaces
      • Gold Necklaces
      • Gemstone Necklaces
      • Fresh Water Pearl Necklaces
      • Cultured Pearl Necklaces
    • Pendants
      • Diamond Pendants
      • Diamond Crosses
      • Gold Pendants
      • Gemstone Pendants
      • Silver Pendants
      • Cultured Pearl Pendants
      • Heart Pendants
    • Chains
      • Gold Chains
      • Silver Chains
    • Men's Jewelry
      • Men's Bracelets
      • Men's Chains
      • Men's Earrings
      • Men's Pendants
      • Men's Accessories
    • Watches
      • Bedford Time Company
    • Estate Jewelry
    • Children's Jewelry
    • Giftware
  • Designers
    • 24K Rose
    • Bedford Time Company
    • Benchmark
    • Carla Corporation
    • Carla/Nancy B
    • Celebration
    • Diamond Marriage Symbol
    • Diva Diamonds
    • Elle Jewelry
    • Imperial Pearls
    • Jewelry Innovations
    • Kiddie Kraft
    • Michou
    • Ostbye
    • Overnight
    • Rembrandt Charms
    • Salisbury Fine Metal Artisans
    • Shimmering Diamonds
    • Unique Settings
  • Custom
  • Education
    • Jewelry Education
    • Diamond Education
      • The Four Cs of Diamonds
      • Diamond Buying Tips
    • Choosing The Right Setting
    • Learn About Gemstones
      • Birthstone Guide
      • Gemstone Guide
    • Precious Metals
    • Jewelry Care
      • Caring for Fine Jewelry
      • Diamond Cleaning
      • Gemstone Cleaning
    • Anniversary Guide
    • Gold Buying Guide
  • About
    • About Us
    • Our Services
    • Meet Our Staff
    • Testimonials
    • Latest Posts
  • Contact
  • Search
  1. Home
  2. Education
  3. Diamonds

Learn About Diamonds

The Four Cs of Diamonds

Our Four C's of Diamonds guide can help you decide on the most important factors when shopping for a diamond.

  • Carat
  • Cut
  • Color
  • Clarity

The Carat Weight

The word carat derives from the word carob, a Mediterranean seed, which has an extremely consistent weight for measuring. The greater the carat weight, the rarer, and more valuable the diamond becomes. Five metric carats weighs exactly 1 gram.

Some people want the largest diamond possible. If size is a priority, we at Arthur's Jewelry can help you classify the proper cut, color and clarity to fit your budget economically, and fit your jewelry beautifully. Many of our engagement rings can fit diamonds up to 5.00 carats, but each ring has different size constraints based on its size and the type of setting. Prong settings can be manipulated to fit virtually any size diamond, but tension-set diamonds and bezel set diamonds have more limitations on size.

The Cut

The true definition of cut is the quality of the proportions and symmetry of the diamond. Your diamond's proportions make a vast difference on how brightly your diamond shines. An 'ideal cut' diamond is one that allows the maximum amount of light to return through the top of the diamond, which takes into consideration the depth, table size, crown height and angle, girdle thickness and more. Our diamond professionals will be happy to assist you in selecting the best diamond cut.

After a rough diamond is mined, it is evaluated to determine its best possible cut, in order to maintain the maximum clarity, color, and carat weight. The term 'cut' is often confused with diamond 'shape', such as round brilliant or princess cut.

Excellent

This is the rarest cut grade and reflects the most light.

Very Good

This cut grade reflects nearly as much light as an Excellent cut grade, but for a lower price.

Good

This cut grade reflects most of the light that enters the diamond, but not as much as a Very Good cut grade.

Fair

This cut grade may appear dull or even glassy, and is very inexpensive.

Poor

This cut grade is not carried by Arthur's Jewelry and is typically not recommended.

Excellent
Very Good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not carried by Arthur's Jewelry

MORE DIAMONDS

The Color

Color is one of the more noticeable attributes of a diamond and has a heavy impact on the price of the stone. Diamonds range from colorless to yellow or light brown, and are sometimes found in a spectrum of fancy colors, including yellow, blue, and even red diamonds. The less color, the rarer the diamond. After 'Z' on the color scale, diamonds become fancy yellow, which cost more because of their rarity.

Z-N
M-K
Noticeable Color
J
I
H
G
Near Colorless
F
E
D
Colorless
Z-N
M-K
J
I
H
G
F
E
D
Noticeable Color
Near Colorless
Colorless

The Clarity

Diamonds are composed of mostly carbon. During the heating process, other elements become trapped inside, giving each diamond its own unique fingerprint. These inclusions help identify the clarity of your diamond. All diamonds are viewed through a 10x magnification lens by diamond graders.

Flawless

No inclusions or blemishes are visible to a skilled grader.

Internally Flawless

No inclusions and only blemishes are visible to a skilled grader.

Very Very Slightly Included

Inclusions are difficult for a skilled grader to see.

Very Slightly Included

Inclusions are clearly visible but can be characterized as minor.

Slightly Included

Inclusions are noticeable to a skilled grader.

Included

Inclusions are obvious and may affect transparency and brilliance.

FFlawless
IFInternally Flawless
VVS1
VVS2
Very Very Slightly Included
VS1
VS2
Very Slightly Included
SI1
SI2
Slightly Included
I1
I2
I3
Included

MORE DIAMONDS

Shop Loose Diamonds


Arthur's Jewelry
111 North Bridge St
Bedford, VA 24523-1923
(540) 586-8034
Store Information
Store Hours
Tuesday - Friday:9:00am - 5:30pm
Saturday:9:00am - 3:00pm
Sunday and Monday:CLOSED
Follow Us
Education
  • Jewelry Education
  • The Four Cs of Diamonds
  • Diamond Buying Tips
  • Choosing the Ring
  • Birthstone Guide
  • Gemstone Guide
  • Precious Metals
  • Caring for Fine Jewelry
  • Diamond Cleaning
  • Gemstone Cleaning
  • Anniversary Guide
  • Gold Buying Guide
Jewelry
  • Bridal
  • Men's Wedding Bands
  • Women's Wedding Bands
  • Rings
  • Earrings
  • Bracelets
  • Necklaces
  • Pendants
  • Chains
  • Men's Jewelry
  • Watches
  • Estate Jewelry
  • Children's Jewelry
  • Giftware
Quick Links
  • About Us
  • Services
  • Meet Our Staff
  • Testimonials
  • Custom Jewelry
  • Make An Appointment
  • Contact Us
Keep In Touch
  • AGS
  • IJO

© 2023 Arthur's Jewelry. All Rights Reserved. Website designed, maintained, and hosted by Punchmark. Accessibility Statement.