The 4Cs of Diamonds: What Every Buyer Should Know

When it comes to buying a diamond, few things are as important—or as misunderstood—as the 4Cs: Cut, Clarity, Colour, and Carat. These four essential characteristics determine the value and brilliance of a diamond and are the global standard by which all diamonds are graded. At Freya Jewellery, we believe that an informed customer is a confident one. So, whether you're purchasing a timeless engagement ring or a sparkling gift, here's what you need to know about the 4Cs.

Cut – The Sparkle Factor

Many buyers mistakenly believe the cut refers to the shape of a diamond (e.g., round, princess, pear). In fact, “cut” describes how well the diamond has been shaped and faceted from its raw form. A well-cut diamond reflects light beautifully, resulting in brilliance, fire, and scintillation. Poorly cut diamonds can appear dull, even if they’re high in other Cs.

At Freya Jewellery, we only work with diamonds that meet excellent to very good cut grades to ensure maximum sparkle.

Clarity – Nature’s Fingerprint

Clarity measures the presence of natural inclusions (internal flaws) and blemishes (surface flaws). While most imperfections are microscopic and invisible to the naked eye, they can affect how light passes through the diamond.

Clarity grades range from Flawless (F) to Included (I1–I3). For most jewellery, we recommend VS1–SI1 clarity diamonds—beautiful and eye-clean without the premium price of flawless stones.

Colour – A Subtle Spectrum

Diamonds come in a spectrum of shades. The closer to colourless a white diamond is, the higher its value. The GIA colour scale ranges from D (completely colourless) to Z (noticeable yellow or brown tint).

At Freya Jewellery, we find G–H colour diamonds strike a wonderful balance between purity and value. They're nearly colourless and ideal for white gold or platinum settings.

Carat – Size and Weight

Carat refers to a diamond's weight—not its size. Two diamonds of equal carat weight can appear different in size depending on their cut. It's worth noting that carat weight doesn’t linearly scale in price. A 1.00 carat diamond can cost significantly more than a 0.90 carat one, even if they look nearly identical.

Tip: Slightly below full carat marks (like 0.95ct vs 1.00ct) can offer great value without a noticeable size difference.

How to Use the 4Cs Wisely

Understanding the 4Cs helps you make better choices—especially when balancing your budget. We recommend prioritising cut above all else, as it's the key to sparkle. Then choose colour and clarity based on your personal taste and what’s visible to the naked eye.

At Freya Jewellery, we’re happy to guide you in person or online through this process with honesty and clarity.