

In our experience and the experience of our customers, when casual observers take notice of their Moissanite gemstones, they gasp and exclaim, "Wow, that is an amazing diamond!" but never: "It is beautiful but has too much sparkle. Remove the sparkle from a diamond, and what is left is essentially a lifeless piece of glass. The beauty of highly refractive gemstones such as Moissanite and diamond is found in their characteristic "sparkle" (fire, brilliance and luster).

When a diamond is cut to optimal proportions, light enters through the top of the diamond, passes from one facet to another, and then reflects back out through the top of the diamond. That is why it’s the most important of the 4Cs. If a diamond is poorly cut, it will lack brilliance no matter the size, color and clarity. A well-cut diamond – regardless of its shape – appears more alive with brilliance, catching the light and sparkling brightly as it’s moved. A diamond master craftsman can release a diamond’s inner beauty by strategically placing the facets for optimal symmetry and maximum brilliance. People often refer to a diamond’s shape (round cut, princess cut, oval cut) as the cut, but cut is actually the craftsmanship applied in cutting, placing and polishing the facets of the diamond. Each of the 4Cs are taken into account when determining the value. A smaller diamond – one with less carat weight – may actually be higher in price than a larger one because its cut, color and clarity are of greater quality. The grading gives you an objective way to compare the quality and price of one diamond with another. You will know the exact quality of the diamond you’re considering, and feel confident that you’re paying a fair price based upon its value.ĭiamonds sold by reputable jewelers have been graded according to the 4Cs and come with written diamond certification.

Learning about the 4Cs now will make your purchasing experience easier, more enjoyable, and far more rewarding. The 4Cs stand for cut, carat weight, color and clarity. Learning about diamonds and what makes them beautiful begins with understanding the 4Cs – the characteristics of a diamond.
