The American Gem Society (AGS) and the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) have taken great pains to develop grading systems to standardize value in diamonds. We believe that it pays to be as educated as possible when shopping or ordering a diamond. But with so much information out there, shopping around becomes very confusing, very fast. Leshem Diamond Services, has condensed the information you need to know into a summary of "The 4 Cs" to ensure you know all the diamond options available to you like:

Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat-Weight



Many people confuse cut with the shape of a diamond. Diamonds are cut into a number of shapes, depending on the nature of the rough stone. The most popular are round marquise, oval, pear, heart and emerald, and the choice is largely a matter of personal preference. Whatever the shape, however, a well-cut diamond is the work of a master diamond cutter. A diamond both reflects and refracts light. Properly calculated and executed geometric cutting maximizes the diamond's ability to refract light. A properly cut diamond will virtually explode with dazzling brilliance and color. An improper cut (often for the sole purpose of leaving added weight) will leave dark, glassy or watery looking spots in the diamond. Finally, it is the cut that enables the diamond to make the best use of light.

When a diamond is cut to good proportions, light is reflected from one facet to another and then dispersed through the top of the stone.

If the cut of the diamond is too deep, some light escapes through the opposite side of the pavilion.

If the cut is too shallow, light escapes through the pavilion before it can be reflected.

When a diamond is cut to good proportions, light is reflected from one facet to another and then dispersed through the top of the stone.


If the cut of the diamond is too deep, some light escapes through the opposite side of the pavilion.


If the cut is too shallow, light escapes through the pavilion before it can be reflected.

In the above example the shallow cut the diamond has been cut too wide and shallow for its weight and the light will escape out the back or pavilion of the gem. The Ideal Cut diamond has been correctly cut and the light entering the diamond will return to the eye. The deep cut diamond has been cut too narrow and deep and again looses the light out the pavilion. Diamonds are cut by the manufactures to yield the greatest amount of carat weight from the rough, which they also buy by the carat.

Diamonds are found with a range of color, from faint yellow or brown through to the very rare pinks, blues, greens and other colors known as "fancies." However, the 'best' color for a diamond is no color (white). It is a totally colorless diamond that allows white light to pass effortlessly through it and be dispersed as rainbows of color.

Color grading scale from totally colorless to light yellow. The differences between one grade and another are very subtle, as can be seen by the number of grades within any one category.

To determine a diamond's clarity, it is viewed under 10-power magnification by a trained eye. Most diamonds contain very tiny birthmarks known as inclusions. However, the fewer and smaller the inclusions are, the more beautiful the diamond will be. Diamonds, more than any other gemstone, have the capability to produce the maximum amount of brilliance. A diamond that is free of both inclusions and surface blemishes is very rare and therefore very valuable.

This is the weight of the diamond measured in carats. One carat is divided into 100 "points," or 4 Graners, so that a diamond of 75 points weights .75 carats. Carat-weight is the easiest of the 4C's to determine. But two diamonds of equal weight can have very unequal value, depending on their cut, color and clarity. Fine quality can be found in diamonds of all shapes and sizes. And a fine quality diamond is a little extra weight she'd be pleased to put on.