You have probably heard the term “4Cs" thrown around, but what does it really mean for you?
Think of the 4Cs as the universal language of diamond quality. It is the standardized grading system used by every expert in the world to determine a diamond's value and, more importantly, its beauty.
And to answer the most common follow-up question: Yes, the 4Cs apply 100% to lab-grown diamonds.
Why? Because, as we covered in our last post, lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds. Since they are physically and optically identical to mined diamonds, they are graded by the exact same prestigious labs using the exact same criteria.
Let's break down what each “C" means for your purchase.
1. CUT (The Sparkle)
- What it is: This is not the diamond's shape (like round, oval, or pear). The cut refers to a diamond's angles, proportions, and facets.
- Why it matters: The cut is arguably the most important factor in a diamond's beauty. A perfect cut acts like a complex series of mirrors, reflecting light to create that breathtaking brilliance and fire. A poorly cut diamond, even one with perfect color and clarity, will look dull and lifeless.
At Elvin Jewellery, we prioritize brilliance above all else. This is why all our diamonds feature Ideal or Excellent cuts, the highest grades possible, ensuring your stone has maximum sparkle.
2. COLOR (The Whiteness)
- What it is: This grade measures how “colorless" a diamond is. The scale runs from D (completely colourless) to Z (a noticeable light yellow or brown).
- Why it matters: The closer a diamond is to “D," the more colorless and icy white it appears.
At Elvin Jewellery, we specialize in the premium tiers:
- White Diamonds: We select only the colourless D-F grades.
- Colored Diamonds: We select only the most vibrant and saturated Fancy Intense and Fancy Vivid grades.
3. CLARITY (The Purity)
- What it is: This measures the absence of internal flaws (called “inclusions") or external blemishes. The scale ranges from FL (Flawless) down to I (Included, where flaws are visible to the naked eye).
- Why it matters: The fewer the inclusions, the more light can pass through the diamond without being interrupted.
At Elvin Jewellery, we exclusively select diamonds in the VVS (Very, Very Slightly Included) and VS (Very Slightly Included) grades. This means any inclusions are microscopic and completely invisible to the naked eye, guaranteeing a flawless appearance.
4. CARAT (The Weight)
- What it is: This is the one most people know. Carat is simply a measure of the diamond's weight, not its “size." (A 1.0 carat diamond weighs 0.2 grams).
- Why it matters: While a higher carat weight means a heavier diamond, the visual size is also heavily influenced by the cut and shape. A well-cut 0.90 carat diamond can look larger and more brilliant than a poorly cut 1.00 carat diamond.
The 5th “C" (The Most Important One): Certification
The 4Cs are meaningless without objective proof. This is where the 5th “C", Certification, comes in.
A diamond certificate is an independent, third party report that verifies a diamond's 4Cs. It is your guarantee.
At Elvin Jewellery, we believe in absolute transparency. We could use our own in-house FGA (Fellow of the Gemmological Association) experts to “grade" our diamonds and create our own “standard". Many jewellers do this.
We choose not to.
We believe that is a conflict of interest. Instead, we use the IGI (International Gemological Institute), one of the two largest and most respected independent labs in the world, for our certifications.
Why? Because this is the only way to ensure your rights as a consumer are fully protected. An independent IGI report provides you with unbiased, accurate, and globally recognized information about your diamond. It is our commitment to integrity and your guarantee of quality.