The 4Cs of diamonds

The 4Cs are the most widely used standard in the jewelry industry for determining diamond quality and purity. These 4 criteria - carat, color, cut and clarity - enable jewelers to classify diamonds and distinguish them from one another. This standard was established in 1931 by the Gemological Institute of America.

carat - CARAT

The carat refers to the weight of the stone, not its volume as you might think. A carat weighs 0.2 grams and is divisible into 100 points, which means that a 0.5-carat diamond weighs 50 points.

This unit of measurement is used in jewelry because it is more precise. The carat and weight of a stone largely determine its price.

clarity - pureté

Diamond purity levels are classified into several categories: VVS (very small inclusions), VS (very small inclusions), SI (small inclusions)... A diamond's purity is calculated according to the quantity and size of inclusions in the gemstone. 

Purity is estimated using a x10 magnifying glass, as most of the gem's inclusions are invisible to the naked eye. The fewer the inclusions, the higher the diamond 's purity. 

cut - size

Cutting is essential to a diamond's clarity and luminosity. If the other 4C criteria are met, but the diamond is not well cut, it will lose all its light. When a diamond is very well cut, the light is as if trapped inside the gemstone. Cutting is therefore the most important task of the jeweler's craftsmen, to give the jewel its brilliance and sparkle.

Today, the classic diamond cut used in jewelry has 58 facets, whereas the old rosecut cut produced a diamond with 24 facets.

The culet is one of the most important facets of a diamond cut. It's the facet on the bottom of the stone that protects the fragile point. Although optional for many years, a good colette cut is essential to ensure that the diamond does not lose its brilliance.

color - couleur

A diamond is pure when it is white. The more colorless it is, the purer and nobler the stone. Jewelry craftsmen distinguish a diamond of great nobility and purity by its color.

Diamond colors are categorized by letters on an international scale, from D to Z. The letter Z denotes a diamond with a slightly yellow hue, while the letter D represents a very white, pure diamond.

The diamonds used in our jewelry are FG VS quality. This means that the diamonds we use are colorless or almost colorless, with very small inclusions. This guarantee of quality enables us to offer you precious, ultra-bright jewelry.