Anatomy of a Diamond

Planning to invest? Get more bang for your buck by reading up on the 4C's of diamonds.

Ever wonder what makes a good diamond? We've all heard about carats, but there is a lot more to a diamond's value than its size. The 4C's of diamonds: Cut, Clarity, Carat, and Color, all make up the identity, and the total value of each stone. Have you ever seen a large diamond that appears a foggy, grey, or even spotted up close? It could be that gem is in serious need of a good cleaning, or because some people will give a little in the color or clarity area in order to afford a larger diamond - while others, prefer a smaller size, but a flawless stone.

To start off, here's a closer look at the first big C: Cut.

Here is another side-by-side comparison of an ideal cut diamond vs. one cut too deep or too shallow.

Read a little about diamond quality and familiarize yourself with the terms. You don't need to be an expert; a good jeweler will point out diamond differences and flaws to you in person. But a little light reading beforehand will get you way ahead of the game.