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Every diamond is unique, and two stones of the same weight can look very different. Jewellers describe a diamond by the 4Cs: cut, colour, clarity and carat. Together they decide how a diamond looks and what it costs. This guide explains each one, the shapes you can choose and how a grading report confirms what you are buying. Zarna Jewels works with laboratory-grown diamonds, which are graded on exactly the same scales as natural diamonds.
Cut: the most important C for sparkle
Cut grades how well a diamond’s proportions, symmetry and polish return light to your eye as brilliance (white light), fire (flashes of colour) and scintillation (sparkle as it moves). A well-cut diamond looks brighter and often larger than a poorly cut stone of the same weight.
Round diamonds receive a cut grade from Excellent to Poor. Fancy shapes are judged on their proportions, polish and symmetry. Our diamond cuts guide goes into more detail.
Colour: how white the diamond is
| Grade | Description | What you see |
|---|---|---|
| D, E, F | Colourless | Icy white; the top grades |
| G, H, I, J | Near colourless | Looks white once set, especially in yellow or rose gold; excellent value |
| K and below | Faint colour | A warm tint that can be seen |
Laboratory-grown diamonds can also be grown in fancy colours. Ask us about pink, blue and other coloured diamonds.
Clarity: how clean the diamond is
Most diamonds contain tiny internal features (inclusions) or surface marks (blemishes). Clarity grades how many there are and how visible they are under 10× magnification:
| Grade | Meaning |
|---|---|
| FL, IF | Flawless or internally flawless |
| VVS1, VVS2 | Very, very slightly included: extremely hard to see even under magnification |
| VS1, VS2 | Very slightly included: minor features under magnification, clean to the eye |
| SI1, SI2 | Slightly included: noticeable under magnification, sometimes visible to the eye |
| I1, I2, I3 | Included: visible to the eye |
For most people, VS clarity is the sweet spot: it looks clean without paying for features no one can see.
Carat: the diamond’s weight
Carat measures weight, not size: one carat is 0.2 grams, divided into 100 points, so a 0.50 ct diamond is “50 points”. Price rises faster than weight because larger diamonds are scarcer, and prices often step up at popular weights such as 0.50 ct and 1.00 ct. Choosing a weight just below these, such as 0.90 ct, can save money with no visible difference.
Diamond shapes
Shape is the outline of the diamond. We offer round, oval, pear, marquise, princess, emerald, cushion, radiant, heart and baguette diamonds:
- Round brilliant: the most sparkle and the most popular shape for engagement rings.
- Oval, pear and marquise: elongated shapes that look larger for their weight and lengthen the finger.
- Princess, cushion and radiant: square or rectangular shapes with brilliant sparkle.
- Emerald and baguette: step cuts with long, clean facets that show clarity.
- Heart: a romantic shape that needs excellent symmetry.
Grading reports and certificates
A grading report from an independent laboratory records a diamond’s 4Cs, measurements and origin. You can add an IGI report for your diamond at checkout. IGI is one of the largest laboratories grading laboratory-grown diamonds; its reports state that the diamond is laboratory-grown, describe any treatment after growth, and carry a report number you can check on IGI’s website. Our gold and silver is hallmarked for purity.
How to choose your diamond
- Choose the shape you love first.
- Put cut first: aim for an Excellent or Very Good cut.
- Choose colour around G–H and clarity around VS for the best balance of beauty and value; go higher if you prefer.
- Then choose the largest carat weight your budget allows.
- Add an IGI report if you want independent confirmation of the grades.
Frequently asked questions
Which of the 4Cs matters most?
Cut, because it controls how much the diamond sparkles. A well-cut diamond can look brighter than a heavier one with a poor cut.
Are laboratory-grown diamonds graded differently?
No. They are graded on the same cut, colour, clarity and carat scales; the report also states that the diamond is laboratory-grown.
Does a diamond have to be certified?
Not necessarily, but a report from an independent laboratory such as IGI confirms the grades and is useful for insurance. You can add one at checkout.
Need help choosing? Book a video consultation, call +91 8733947879 or email care@zarnajewels.com.
