The 4C's of a diamond is the prominent characteristic based on which a diamond is graded. They include the Color, Clarity, Cut, and Carat of a diamond.
- Color: Diamond color is graded on a scale from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown). The less color a diamond exhibits, the higher its value.
- Clarity: Clarity refers to the inclusions and external marks known as blemishes. Diamonds are graded for clarity using a scale ranging from Flawless (no inclusions or blemishes visible under 10x magnification) to Included (inclusions and blemishes visible to the naked eye).
- Cut: Diamond cut refers to how well a gemstone's facets interact with light.
- Carat Weight: Carat weight measures the mass of the diamond. One carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams.
Together, these 4C's provide a comprehensive framework for evaluating a diamond's quality and determining its overall value in the market.