Nelson Coleman Jewelers

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The 4Cs of Diamonds

0.25 Carat
4.1 mm

0.50 Carat
5.0 mm

0.75 Carat
5.8 mm

1.00 Carat
6.5 mm

1.50 Carat
7.4 mm

2.00 Carat
8.2 mm

The Carat Weight

The carat weight is how a diamond is measured and is the size of the diamond. Carats are broken into 100 parts, and the weight is written as a decimal.

Some people want the largest diamond possible. If size is a priority, we at Nelson Coleman Jewelers can help you classify the proper cut, color and clarity to fit your budget economically, and fit your jewelry beautifully. 

Too Shallow

Ideal Cut

Too Deep

The Cut

The most important part of the 4Cs is cut, which determines how bright and sparkly the diamond will be. The cut is widely considered the most important because it could make the diamond appear larger than its weight.

Most people buying a diamond without prior knowledge of what to look for will want to purchase colorless and large. But if you’re going to buy diamonds like a jeweler, the most crucial 4Cs is cut. An excellent cut brings a diamond to life. It can make a smaller diamond look bigger and even hide some blemishes or inclusions. So, if you’re looking for the most important aspect of a diamond, cut is it!

D

E-F

G-J

K-M

N-R

S-Z

The Color

The level of color in a stone can affect its value considerably. Most people prefer buying diamonds with little or no color, better known as colorless diamonds. The less color a diamond has developed while forming, the rarer and, therefore, more expensive. To get the best value and a beautiful diamond, look for one in the near colorless G-J color range.

– Colorless
E-F – Colorless
G-J – Near Colorless
K-M – Faint Yellow
N-R – Very Light Yellow
S-Z – Light Yellow

 

F-IF

VVS1-VVS2

VS1-VS2

SI1-SI2

I1

I2-I3

The Clarity

Diamonds are composed of mostly carbon. During the heating process, other elements become trapped inside, giving each diamond its own unique fingerprint. These inclusions help identify the clarity of your diamond.

The clarity of a diamond is how many blemishes and inclusions it has. The fewer blemishes and inclusion, the more valuable the diamond is.

F – No inclusions or blemishes are visible to a skilled grader.
IF – No inclusions and only blemishes are visible to a skilled grader.
VVS1-VVS2 – Inclusions are difficult for a skilled grader to see.
VS1-VS2 – Inclusions are clearly visible but can be characterized as minor.
SI1-SI2 – Inclusions are noticeable to a skilled grader.
I1-I3 – Inclusions are obvious and may affect transparency and brilliance.

*All diamonds are viewed through a 10x magnification lens by diamond graders.

If you are buying a diamond in Baltimore, MD, we’d love to help you find the perfect diamond!

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