Ultimate Diamond Guide Will Help Understand the 4Cs

Lab grown diamonds have made a huge change in the jewelry industry, by being a sustainable and ethical alternative to a mined diamond. If you are searching for the best lab grown diamonds or lab grown diamond rings you should understand the 4Cs i.e. Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat which help in determining the quality and value of a diamond. By going through this article by Loose Grown Diamonds, you can make the best choice for Lab Grown Diamond Jewelry.

What Are The 4Cs Of Diamond?

The 4Cs for the diamonds were established by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) to make universally accepted grading of diamonds. They are Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat weight. These 4Cs have a direct impact on a diamond’s quality and value.

A Breakdown of the 4Cs

To better understand the 4C factors of the diamond below are the detailed description of the Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat. Let’s delve into the brief insight.

Cut-

The cut of a diamond is important in determining the brilliance. It affects the interaction of light with diamond’s facets. No Lab Grown Diamond can have excellence without a good cut. The defined grading system ranges from Poor to Excellent, the best-cut diamonds have maximum brilliance and fire.

Color-

The color grading of the diamond is done on a D to Z scale, where D represents a diamond which is completely colorless and Z grades diamond has few yellow or brown tints. They have less inclusions so lab grown diamonds of high-color grades are more affordable. For a lab grown diamond engagement ring, D-F range color is best.

Clarity-

Clarity means the inclusions (internal defects) and blemishes (defects on the surface). Lesser the defects more is the clarity grade. Different clarity grades defined are Flawless (FL), Internally Flawless (IF), Very Slightly Included (VS), and Slightly Included (SI). There are a variety of lab-grown diamond rings manufactured which have VS1 or VS2 grades, and there are no flaws in those diamonds that can be seen with the naked eye.

Carat Weight-

Carat weight is used to measure the size of the diamond. One carat means 0.2 grams. Generally, the price directly depends on carat weight but if a diamond is well-cut then it can appear larger than its true weight. Always remember to balance carat weight along with the cut to maximize perfection

Some other Factors to Consider When Buying Lab Diamond

4Cs are important but there are some additional factors that need to be considered so that a lab grown diamond’s beauty and excellence should be enhanced. What are they?

Make sure that a lab grown diamond is certified by renowned gemological laboratories, which are :

Diamond Certification-

GIA (Gemological Institute of America)
IGI (International Gemological Institute)
GCAL (Gem Certification & Assurance Lab)

These certifications are important in determining the diamond’s authenticity and quality, so that you can have a transparent purchase.

Popular Diamond Shapes and Their Effect-

The shape of the diamond improves its shine and quality. Some of the most popular shapes are:

Round Brilliant – This has maximum sparkle and fire
Princess Cut – Modern, having sharp edges and maximum brilliance
Oval Cut – Beautify the size of fingers and enhance carat weight
Emerald Cut – Timeless elegance and having a hall of mirrors effect

Always select the right shape of a lab grown diamond engagement ring to suit your preferences and resemble your personal style.

Settings That Enhance Diamond Brilliance-

The amount of light entering a diamond is determined by its setting.

The popular settings are:

Prong Setting – Maximum light passes through this, so the best sparkling features
Halo Setting – The smaller stones surrounding the main diamond enhance the sparkle
Bezel Setting – It is protective in nature but the shine of the diamond is reduced

The right setting of your lab grown diamond ensures that the lab grown diamond engagement ring or other jewelry for your collection shines at its best.

Conclusion:

If you are considering a lab grown diamond engagement ring or any other lab grown diamond jewelry you should firstly know what is a lab grown diamond? And then understand the 4Cs because it is an important investment. Understanding the shape, color grades, etc helps you to make an informed decision. The cut quality, certification, settings, and every small factor play a key role in adding up to the diamond’s beauty and value. Search for the best lab grown diamonds ends at Loose Grown Diamonds, you can choose the perfect lab grown diamond engagement ring here with balanced ethics, beauty, brilliance, sparkle, and affordability.

FAQ’s:

What Is The Best Diamond Cut for Brilliance?
The Round Brilliant cut has maximum brilliance due to its 58 facets which helps in reflection of light in the best way.

Is a Higher Clarity Grade Always Better?
No, it’s not necessary! The lab grown diamonds having VS1 or VS2 clarity are observed to have no flaws when seen by the naked eye along with being more affordable than the Flawless (FL) or Internally Flawless (IF) grade of diamonds.

Which C Is The Most Important When Buying a Diamond?
The Cut of the 4Cs is the most important because it helps in determining the brilliance of a lab grown diamond. If a diamond is poorly cut and it has the best color and clarity, then it has poor brilliance so it will not look good.

Should I Prioritize Carat Size Over Cut Quality?
Never, Even if you buy a smaller diamond and it is brilliantly cut then it will have more sparkle than the one which is larger but has a poor cut. Always prioritize cuts over carats. This will enhance the sparkle of your lab grown diamond engagement ring.

Author Profile

Adam Regan

Deputy Editor

Features and account management. 3 years media experience. Previously covered features for online and print editions.

Email Adam@MarkMeets.com