The 4 C’s of Diamonds — Explained Simply
Cut
The most important of the 4 C's. Cut determines brilliance.
Cut is not the shape of the diamond — it is the quality of how the diamond was faceted. A well-cut diamond reflects light perfectly, creating maximum brilliance, fire, and scintillation. A poorly cut diamond looks dull, regardless of its color or clarity grade.
Always choose Excellent or Ideal cut. A 1ct G VS2 Excellent cut diamond will outshine a 1.5ct F VVS1 Good cut stone every time.
Color
Graded D (colorless) to Z (light yellow). Less color = more value.
Diamond color is graded on a scale from D to Z by GIA. The less color, the rarer and more valuable the stone — though near-colorless diamonds appear identical to the naked eye at significantly lower cost.
Choose G or H color. Appears completely colorless to the naked eye and costs significantly less than D–F. Yellow and rose gold settings beautifully complement I–J stones.
Clarity
Measures internal inclusions. Most are invisible to the naked eye.
Clarity grades measure the presence of internal characteristics (inclusions) and surface blemishes. The majority of inclusions are microscopic and have no effect on a diamond's beauty to the naked eye.
Choose VS1 or VS2 — eye-clean and the ideal balance of quality and value. Spending extra on VVS or FL grading is rarely worth it; the difference is invisible without a loupe.
Carat
Measures weight, not size. Your budget goes further with lab-grown.
Carat is the unit of diamond weight. One carat = 0.2 grams. A well-cut 1ct diamond can appear larger than a poorly-cut 1.1ct diamond. With lab-grown diamonds, your budget goes 50–70% further.
| Carat | Mined (est.) | Raul Lab-Grown |
|---|---|---|
| 1.00ct G VS1 Ex | $6,000–$8,000 | From ~$1,800 |
| 1.50ct G VS1 Ex | $12,000–$16,000 | From ~$3,200 |
| 2.00ct G VS1 Ex | $22,000–$28,000 | From ~$5,500 |
With lab-grown savings, choose the largest, best-cut stone your budget allows. A 1.5ct G VS1 Excellent cut at Raul costs less than a 0.75ct mined equivalent.