Guide to Buying The Perfect Diamond

Are you looking for the perfect diamond but don’t know where to start? The possibilities are almost endless when it comes to searching for a diamond. If you’re in the market for a new shiny piece, it’s important to carefully consider the four C’s: carat, cut, clarity, and color.

Here is our’ guide to following the four C’s when you’re in the process of buying the perfect diamond:

1. Carat

The standard unit of measurement for a diamond is a carat. A 1-carat diamond is equivalent to approximately 0.20 grams and about 6.5mm in diameter. A diamond’s price increases according to its size which is why carats are important to carefully consider, especially if you’re trying to stay within a budget!

2. Cut

A diamond’s shape and facets are determined by its cut. The more faceted a diamond is, the more it sparkles! The reason cut matters when purchasing a diamond is because that's what makes it shine! There are a variety of diamond cuts to choose from such as round, princess, emerald, oval, radiant, and many more.

3. Clarity

Diamond clarity measures the degree to which a diamond is free from flaws. The clearer and more flaw-free a diamond is, the better its quality. A scale of FL (flawless), VVS (very very slightly included), SI (slightly included), and I (included) along with number gradations for each category is used to rate a diamond’s clarity. Aim to stay within the scale of FL to VVS if you’re in search of a perfect diamond!

4. Color

Last but certainly not least, we have color. Diamond color is measured on the GIA color scale. It ranges from D to Z-- D being a colorless diamond and Z being a diamond with obvious hues of brown or yellow. A perfect diamond would be completely colorless so aim for diamonds that fall on the D-J categories when searching for a perfect diamond.

Now that you know the 4 C’s, you have a better understanding of the quality of diamonds. It’ll be much easier to discover the perfect diamond that falls within your quality and budget needs now that you will consider its carat, cut, clarity, and color. At Hale’s Jewelers, we have an incredible selection of fine diamonds of many shapes and sizes. Schedule an appointment with us if you are interested in purchasing the perfect diamond!