Every diamond carries a story written in light, proportion, and form. Understanding the 4Cs isn't about memorizing a grading chart — it's about knowing what to look for when a stone speaks to you.
Formed under immense pressure, shaped by a skilled cutter's hands, and assessed by one of the most precise grading systems in the world — the 4Cs are the language of that journey. Cut. Color. Clarity. Carat. Each one captures something distinct about the stone in front of you.
What you're choosing is more than size or sparkle. It's a combination of qualities that make a diamond uniquely suited to the moment it's meant to mark.
Cut is the most human of the 4Cs — it's the cutter's skill translated into sparkle. A well-cut diamond doesn't just catch the light; it returns it, scatters it, plays with it. Every angle is a decision, and those decisions determine whether a stone comes alive.
It's the quality with the greatest influence on beauty, and the one most worth prioritizing.
Cut grades range from Excellent to Poor. We recommend Excellent or Very Good for diamonds you intend to wear every day.
In diamonds, color is measured by its absence. The less color, the rarer. A truly colorless diamond lets light pass through undisturbed — pure, neutral, completely present to the moment.
The scale runs from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow). For most, stones in the G–J range are visually indistinguishable from colorless at a fraction of the cost.
Color is best assessed against a white surface in neutral light. Our team is happy to show you the difference in person.
Every diamond formed deep within the earth carries small traces of that journey — tiny inclusions or surface blemishes that no two stones share in exactly the same way. Clarity grades assess how visible those characteristics are.
Most inclusions are invisible to the naked eye. What matters is whether the diamond appears clear and brilliant in the light — which, for the majority of well-chosen stones, it will.
VS2 and SI1 grades are typically "eye-clean" and offer exceptional value. Our gemologists can help you evaluate any stone in person.
Carat measures weight — one carat equals 200 milligrams — but it's often used as shorthand for size. A larger carat weight is more rare, and rarity carries value. But carat alone doesn't determine how a stone looks or feels on the hand.
A beautifully cut one-carat diamond often reads larger and livelier than a two-carat stone cut without care. Size matters less than presence.
We'll always show you how a stone looks worn — because that's the moment that matters most.
Cut is the one quality most directly influenced by craft. Each grade reflects how well the cutter balanced proportion, symmetry, and polish to coax the most light from the stone.
EX
Reflects nearly all light that enters the stone. Maximum brilliance, fire, and scintillation.
VG
Reflects nearly as much light as Excellent. Slight variation in proportions with minimal visible difference.
GD
Reflects most light. Some light escapes through the sides or bottom. Still a beautiful stone.
FR
Light leaks noticeably. Often cut to preserve carat weight at the expense of brilliance.
No two stones are the same, and neither is the moment you're shopping for. Our team is here to guide you — without pressure, without jargon, and with the kind of knowledge that only comes from doing this for a long time.
Visit your local Day's to meet with our diamond specialists.
