Understanding the diamond factors

When looking for a diamond, understanding the important factors will help you make the right decision. It can be overwhelming but we are here to simplify what to look for.

You must have heard of the 4Cs, namely, colour, clarity, cut and carat. But once upon a time, there was no agreed-upon standard by which diamonds could be evaluated. Traders and jewelers used terms such as river or water to describe diamonds that were the most colorless, and Cape to describe pale yellow diamonds from South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope region. A diamond’s cut was described as “made well” or “made poorly.”

Then in the 1940's Robert M. Shipley, the founder of GIA, coined the term 4Cs to help his students remember the four factors that characterize a faceted diamond. 

The creation of the Diamond 4Cs and the GIA International Diamond Grading System™ meant two very important things: diamond quality could be communicated in a universal language, and diamond customers could now know exactly what they are purchasing.

Today, the 4Cs of Diamond Quality is the universal method for assessing the quality of any diamond, anywhere in the world. As the creator of the Diamond 4Cs and the International Diamond Grading System™, GIA is trusted by museums, auctions houses, and consumers all over the world to grade nature’s finest treasures.

Following GIA's initiative, many independent institution are using the 4C grading method which means when you see a diamond certificate (even not issued by GIA), you will see that it will follow the same format.

To shop for natural mined diamond and laboratory grown diamonds, find our vast offering here.

The Diamond Setter specialises in bespoke jewellery, serving both retail and the jewellery trade. Gavin is the master jeweller and diamond setter and he has a showroom and onsite workshop located at the historic Pantiles in Royal Tunbridge Wells.

Get in touch to learn more how Gavin can help you with your jewellery needs.