The 4 C’s that determine the quality and the value of a diamond
Carat A carat is a type of measurement used to describe the weight of a gem. One carat equals 200 milligrams, or 0.2 grams. The word comes from the carob bean, whose consistent weight was used in times past to measure gemstones. One carat is the equivalent of 0.2 grams. In jewelry made with small diamonds the carat measurement is usually evaluated in total carat weight (tcw), rather than giving specific measurements of each small diamond. When the term carat refers to a gem’s mass, it does not refer to the quality of the gem. Evaluating cut, clarity, and color, as well as carat, is the best way to select a gem. Jewelers are quick to assure potential customers that size matters. However, the cut and clarity of diamond, along with its setting, may make a small carat weight diamond seem larger. A one-carat diamond that is full of flaws may not be as impressive as a half-carat diamond that is close to perfect. Each flaw decreases the ability of the stone to reflect light, so flawed gems are less sparkly.	Color A chemically pure and structurally perfect diamond is perfectly transparent with no color. However, in reality almost no gem-sized natural diamonds are absolutely perfect. The color of a diamond may be affected by chemical impurities and/or structural defects in the crystal.  Depending on the hue and intensity of a diamond's coloration, a diamond's color can either detract from or enhance its value. For example, most white diamonds are less expensive when more yellow hue is detectable, while intense blue, yellow, orange, red, green, pink to purple, brown, and black diamonds can be dramatically more valuable. Out of all colored diamonds, red diamonds are the rarest of all.  The color grading scale ranges from D to Z. Where D E F are colorless, G H I J are near colorless and XYZ displays greater color saturation.  The more valuable colored diamonds are graded in a color range beyond XYZ and run from lighter to more intense color hues:  Fancy Light, Fancy Color, Fancy Intense and Fancy Vivid.
Clarity  The clarity of a diamond relates to the existence and visual appearance of internal characteristics called inclusions, and surface defects called blemishes. Most inclusions present in gem-quality diamonds do not affect the diamonds' performance or structural integrity. However, large clouds can affect a diamond's ability to transmit and scatter light. Large cracks close to or breaking the surface may reduce a diamond's resistance to fracture. Diamonds with higher clarity grades are more valued, with the exceedingly rare "flawless" graded diamond fetching the highest price. Minor inclusions or blemishes are useful as they can be used as unique identifying marks analogous to fingerprints. In addition, inclusions or blemishes can be used as proof of natural origin.	Cut  Cut is a pattern of angled cuts on the surface of a diamond crystal. A diamond cut constitutes a more or less symmetrical arrangement of facets which together modify the shape and appearance of a diamond crystal. It is the only one characteristic of the natural diamond that can actually be influenced by man. When a diamond is cut well and all the facets are in proportion, light will reflect from one facet to another and disperse through the top of the stone, resulting in a display of brilliance and fire. The most popular of diamond cuts is the modern round brilliant. Also popular are the fancy cuts such as Pear, Marquise, Princess, Radiant, Oval and Emerald Cut.

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