Understanding the 4C’s of a Diamond
We all know about the 4C’s - Cut, Colour, Clarity, and Carat. But beyond these technical terms, how does the 4C’s affect your diamond? Here we break it down for you so it’s easy to understand:
Cut
Often considered the most important of the 4C’s, the cut of a diamond determines a diamond’s brilliance. The way it reflects light to create that breathtaking sparkle we all fall in love with. It isn’t about the stone’s shape or carat size, but about how well its facets are proportioned and polished. A modestly sized diamond with an excellent cut will outshine a larger one with a poor cut.
For that reason, we only work with round diamonds that carry an Excellent Cut. For fancy-shaped diamonds, we only select those with Excellent polish and symmetry. This ensures that every diamond we offer shines with exceptional brilliance.
From Colourless to Fancy
Colour
Diamond colour is graded on a scale from D (colourless) to Z (light yellow or brown). At Love Hesed, our diamonds fall within the DEF range, which is colourless to the naked eye.
But colour is also about personal preference. Some couples love the subtle warmth of near-colourless diamonds, especially when set in yellow or rose gold. In fact, there is a growing trend for diamonds with champagne or golden tones, admired for their romantic character. At Love Hesed, we’re delighted to offer these warmer shades upon request.
Beyond white diamonds, we can also source fancy colour diamonds, such as yellow, pink, or blue, for those who want a truly distinctive centre stone.
Clarity
Clarity refers to the inclusions found inside a diamond. The clarity scale ranges from Flawless (no inclusions visible even under magnification) to Included, where inclusions can affect transparency and brilliance.
What truly matters is not chasing perfection under a microscope, but choosing a diamond that looks clean and radiant to the eye. At Love Hesed, we only work with VS2 clarity and above for our lab-grown diamonds, ensuring that every stone we select is eye-clean, brilliant, and full of life.
Carat
Carat measures a diamond’s weight. A carat = 0.2 grams. While many couples have a dream carat size in mind, it’s important to remember that carat is only one part of the story. A smaller diamond with an excellent cut can often sparkle more brilliantly than a larger stone with a poorer cut.
It’s also worth noting that a higher carat weight doesn’t always mean the diamond will look larger on the hand. The face-up size depends on the stone’s proportions and measurements. For example, two diamonds of the same carat can appear different in size depending on their depth and spread. At Love Hesed, we guide our clients to consider a diamond’s measurements and balance as much as its weight, ensuring it looks beautifully proportioned and sits perfectly on the finger.