What the 4C’s are for Lab Grown Diamonds

The GIA International Diamond Grading System was established to create a consistent standard for evaluating diamonds worldwide, helping buyers make informed choices based on a universal set of criteria. This system focuses on the 4Cs of diamond grading: cut, color, clarity, and carat weight, as outlined on the GIA diamond grading chart. This standardized approach is widely adopted by leading gemological institutions, including the International Gemological Institute (IGI). Notably, IGI was the first major grading laboratory to extend the 4Cs grading system to lab-grown diamonds, setting a significant benchmark in the industry.

This adoption highlights the equivalency in validity, reliability, and trustworthiness between certificates issued by GIA and those by IGI. For our clients, it's essential to know that most of our lab grown diamonds are accompanied by IGI certificates, ensuring they adhere to the same rigorous standards established by the globally recognized GIA system.

When purchasing loose diamonds or diamond jewelry, such as engagement rings, they typically come with a grading report from GIA or IGI detailing the 4Cs. This report is valuable for appraisal and insurance purposes. Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds and are graded using the same GIA grading system as natural diamonds, applying identical parameters.

Lab-created diamonds are physically, optically, and chemically indistinguishable from mined diamonds when compared side by side. Consequently, high-quality lab-grown diamonds are graded using the 4Cs by independent gemological organizations. Just like natural diamonds, the 4Cs of lab-grown diamonds can vary, ranging from poor to excellent.

Diamond Cut

A diamond's cut goes beyond its shape; it influences how effectively the diamond captures and refracts light, creating its signature brilliance and sparkle. Diamonds with an excellent cut exhibit exceptional brilliance and fiery allure, making them highly sought after. Conversely, poorly cut diamonds may appear dull and lackluster, regardless of their color or clarity grade.

The brilliance of a well-cut diamond can also create the illusion of greater size compared to diamonds of the same carat weight with less ideal cuts. Ideal diamonds typically exhibit superior brilliance and a larger diameter than those with deeper cuts.

Cut is often regarded as the most crucial of the 4Cs because it significantly affects the diamond's overall appearance and quality. Jewelers emphasize the importance of a diamond's cut, recommending it as a key factor in your selection process.

Types Of Diamond Cuts

The quality of a diamond's cut is determined by its proportions and symmetry, which are crafted by skilled artisans. Diamonds are graded on a scale from Ideal to Poor, and the difference in sparkle is noticeable even to the untrained eye.

Round & Fancy Shape Diamond Cuts

Only round brilliant diamonds can achieve an Ideal Cut, thanks to their facet alignments which allow for perfect proportions that enhance sparkle and symmetry.

Fancy-shaped diamonds, such as oval, pear, and emerald, have different facet alignments, making it more challenging to reach Ideal Cut standards. However, this does not compromise their quality. Fancy shapes can still receive Excellent grades and offer remarkable brilliance and fire.

Brides seeking unique shapes should not worry about sacrificing quality or beauty. Look for diamonds with Excellent polish and symmetry grades to ensure you are selecting a high-quality stone that showcases your individuality.

Grading Fancy Shape Diamonds

A high-quality diamond features four crucial attributes: Brilliance, Dispersion, Fire, and Scintillation.

These elements combine harmoniously in a well-cut diamond, ensuring a breathtaking sparkle regardless of its shape.

Ideal Cuts

An Ideal Cut diamond is a perfectly cut stone that reflects nearly all the light entering it, resulting in exceptional brilliance. Achieving an Ideal Cut requires meticulous precision in the cutting process. Every aspect of the diamond's dimensions—depth, table percentages, crown and pavilion angles, and girdle thickness—must be finely tuned.

This precision results in a diamond with an optimal balance of brilliance, fire, and scintillation, creating a stunning prism effect when light interacts with it. The intense sparkle can even make the diamond appear larger than its actual size.

Many Ideal Cut diamonds feature a distinctive pattern known as Hearts and Arrows. Hearts are visible from the bottom of the diamond, while arrows are visible from the sides, adding a touch of romantic charm to these exceptionally cut stones.

Determining Cut in Lab Grown Diamonds

Lab-grown diamonds are cut using the same advanced processes and tools as mined diamonds and are graded according to the same standards.

Lab-grown diamonds often feature superior cuts due to the consistency and fewer flaws in their synthetic material. This uniformity allows for more precise shaping, resulting in diamonds that often exhibit enhanced sparkle and beauty.

When selecting a diamond, the cut should be your primary consideration, as it directly influences the stone’s radiance. While clarity, color, and carat weight are important, a smaller diamond with a high-quality cut can be more captivating than a larger diamond with a lower-grade cut.

Diamond Color

Diamonds are graded on a color scale from D to Z, which includes five categories.

A colorless diamond is almost pure white, while diamonds with lower grades exhibit a yellowish tint, due to trace amounts of nitrogen. Completely colorless diamonds are considered chemically pure and structurally perfect; color variations arise from imperfections and impurities.

For the untrained eye, detecting color differences can be challenging. Typically, noticeable differences become apparent only when diamonds are two color grades apart. Even then, color may only be visible from the side profile of the diamond, as it is less noticeable when viewed face up, especially when set in a ring where the mounting can obscure the side view.

For the untrained eye, detecting color differences can be challenging. Typically, noticeable differences become apparent only when diamonds are two color grades apart. Even then, color may only be visible from the side profile of the diamond, as it is less noticeable when viewed face up, especially when set in a ring where the mounting can obscure the side view.

• Colorless Diamonds (Grades D-F): 

These are the rarest and most valuable diamonds, showing almost no color. While diamonds graded F may have a minute trace of color, it is typically only detectable by gemologists when viewed face down.

• Near Colorless Diamonds (Grades G-J):

These diamonds appear colorless when viewed face up but may reveal trace amounts of color when viewed face down against a white background. The color is generally not noticeable to the untrained eye once the diamond is set. Near colorless diamonds offer excellent value for their price.

• Faint Color Diamonds (Grades K-M):

This category includes diamonds that might show a slight trace of color when viewed face up. They are a great choice for those who appreciate a hint of color while staying within a budget.

Diamonds in the Very Light or Light categories often exhibit a yellow or sometimes brownish hue. These are sometimes referred to as champagne or cognac diamonds, depending on the intensity of the color. The yellow hue is caused by nitrogen, while the brown color is believed to result from internal graining. This earthy tone is due to structural irregularities combined with impurities like nitrogen.

How To Set Diamonds According To Color

The choice of metal for your diamond setting can significantly impact how the diamond's color appears. Here’s how to ensure your diamond looks its best by selecting the most flattering metal:

• Colorless Diamonds:

These diamonds shine best when set in platinum, palladium, or white gold. The cool, pure whiteness of colorless diamonds complements these silvery metals, enhancing the diamond's clarity and brilliance.

• Near Colorless Diamonds:

These versatile diamonds work well with white, yellow, or rose gold settings. While mostly white, near colorless diamonds can benefit from the warm hues of yellow and rose gold, which can subtly diminish any trace of color.

• Faint Colored Diamonds:

The warmth of faint colored diamonds is best highlighted by yellow or rose gold settings. The warm tones in these metals complement the subtle color in the diamonds, enhancing their overall appearance.

Fancy Colored Diamonds

For those who appreciate vivid hues and vibrant sparkle, fancy colored diamonds offer a unique allure.

Diamonds naturally occur in nearly every color, including yellow, blue, pink, green, purple, red, orange, gray, and even black. These fancy colored diamonds are rarer than their colorless counterparts, which can enhance their desirability. This rarity also applies to lab-grown diamonds; only about 1% of lab-grown diamonds are colored, making them a distinctive choice for those seeking something exceptional.

The rarity of a fancy colored diamond is determined by the strength and purity of its color. The more intense and pure the color, the higher the diamond's value. Pink and blue diamonds are among the most valuable, while yellow diamonds, although not as rare, are still highly prized for their warm, golden tones.

Fancy colored diamonds are graded differently from colorless diamonds. Their grading system evaluates three key attributes:

The overall color level of the diamond is assessed based on tone and saturation, and graded on a scale from lightest to darkest. The scale includes:

Diamonds are categorized based on their hue and the grading scale. For instance, a diamond with a light blue hue would be described as a Fancy Light Blue Diamond, whereas a vivid pink diamond would be termed a Fancy Deep Pink Diamond.

Fancy Deep diamonds are the most valuable due to their intense color saturation. However, for those who prefer more subtle, pastel shades, diamonds in the light range offer softer colors that may better match individual tastes.

Color In Lab Grown Diamonds

Lab-grown diamonds, created through processes that replicate natural conditions, can exhibit quality variations, including color. They should be graded for color just like mined diamonds.

Ultimately, the choice of diamond color should reflect your personal preference. While colorless or Fancy Deep diamonds might be considered the most valuable in terms of grading, a faint-colored diamond may hold the most value to you if it aligns with your aesthetic preferences.

Diamond Clarity

Diamonds are assessed for clarity by examining them under 10X magnification. Gemologists evaluate the number, size, and location of inclusions and imperfections to assign a clarity grade.

The clarity grading scale ranges from Flawless (FL) to Included (I3). Some grades are further divided into categories, such as Very Very Slightly Included 1 (VVS1) and Very Very Slightly Included 2 (VVS2). Generally, as the number increases, the visibility and number of inclusions within and on the diamond also increase.

Clarity in Diamond Shapes

The shape of a diamond can influence how its clarity is perceived. Different shapes handle imperfections in various ways:

While step-cut diamonds might show imperfections more easily, they are still a stunning choice if you select a high-clarity grade. For a diamond with a clean sparkle and optimal brilliance, aim for a brilliant cut diamond with a clarity grade of VVS2 or higher, and for step-cuts, look for VS2 or above to achieve the best visual results.

Diamond Clarity & Color

The 4Cs—cut, color, clarity, and carat weight—work together to define a diamond's overall quality. When it comes to clarity and color, balancing these two aspects can significantly impact your diamond's appearance:

• For Diamonds in the D-F Color Range:

These are colorless diamonds, which offer the highest level of brilliance. To complement their superior color, opt for a clarity grade of VS2 or higher. This ensures the diamond's natural sparkle is not diminished by visible inclusions.

By carefully balancing color and clarity, you can achieve a diamond that offers both exceptional visual appeal and value.

Determining Clarity in Lab Grown Diamonds

Lab grown diamonds often achieve higher clarity grades than mined diamonds due to their controlled creation environment. However, they are not completely free from imperfections. Here's what to know about their clarity:

Despite these potential inclusions, lab grown diamonds are graded using the same clarity scale as mined diamonds. This means you can apply the same clarity ratings to select a lab grown diamond that meets your desired level of brilliance and flawlessness.

Diamond Carats

Carat is a precise measurement of a diamond's weight and is one of the most objective factors in determining a diamond's value. Here's what you need to know:

Carat weight is an objective measure, making it a straightforward way to assess a diamond's weight and value compared to the more subjective aspects of color, clarity, and cut.

The carat weight of a diamond determines how big it is. Up to two-thirds of the total carat weight may be lost when raw diamonds are cut and polished into finished diamonds.

Carats and Diamond Size

Understanding the distinction between carat weight and diamond size is crucial:

Remember, carat weight is just one factor among the Four Cs. The diamond’s cut, clarity, and color all play significant roles in its overall appearance and value.

Carats & Diamond Appearance

The perception that "bigger is better" does not always hold true when it comes to diamonds. Here’s what to consider:

When choosing a diamond, focus on the quality and the appearance of the diamond rather than just its carat weight. The cut, clarity, and color are crucial factors that contribute to the diamond’s overall brilliance and appeal.

Carat & The Other Cs

When selecting a diamond, balancing carat weight with the other Cs—cut, clarity, and color—is essential for achieving the best overall appearance. Here’s how to consider carat in conjunction with these factors:

When choosing a diamond, focus on the quality and the appearance of the diamond rather than just its carat weight. The cut, clarity, and color are crucial factors that contribute to the diamond’s overall brilliance and appeal.

Remember, while carat weight is important, the cut and clarity of the diamond play significant roles in its overall beauty. Prioritizing these factors ensures you get a diamond that is not only impressive in size but also dazzling in its appearance.

Carat Vs Karat

It’s important to distinguish between carat and karat, as they refer to different measurements. Carat is a unit of weight used for diamonds and other gemstones. One carat equals 200 milligrams. For example, a 1-carat diamond weighs 200 milligrams.

Karat, on the other hand, measures the purity of gold in jewelry. It is a scale from 1 to 24, with 24 karats representing pure gold. A 14K gold ring contains 14 parts gold and 10 parts other metals, making it 58.3% pure gold.

For clarity, a carat describes the weight of a diamond, while karat refers to the purity of gold. British visitors and expats might find this distinction challenging, as "carat" is used in the UK for both diamond weight and gold content.

When shopping for jewelry, ensure you understand both measurements: for instance, a 1-carat diamond ring set in 14K gold means the diamond weighs 1 carat, and the ring is made from 14-karat gold.

Determining Carat in Lab Grown Diamonds

Lab grown diamonds can achieve impressive carat weights, comparable to mined diamonds. Some lab grown diamonds have even reached weights of up to 15 carats!

Shoppers often appreciate lab grown diamonds for their value, as they tend to be more affordable than their mined counterparts. This affordability allows for larger carat sizes within the same budget. Additionally, lab grown diamonds are a more ethical choice, being conflict-free, which appeals to socially-conscious buyers.

While size and weight are important factors, they should not be the sole considerations when selecting a diamond. When shopping for lab grown diamonds for engagement rings, necklaces, earrings, and other jewelry, focus on a carat weight that complements the diamond's cut, clarity, and color rather than prioritizing carat weight alone.

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions