The 4Cs explained
Carat, colour, clarity and cut together determine how a diamond looks, but not every detail deserves equal attention.
The 4Cs are carat, colour, clarity and cut. They help you compare diamonds, but they are not an automatic ranking. A diamond with the highest individual specifications is not always the most beautiful choice for your ring.
Cut: the most visible difference
Cut concerns the quality of the cut and the proportions. This determines how light returns from the stone. For fancy shapes, we also look at the silhouette, length-to-width ratio and a balanced appearance across the facets.
Carat: size, not just value
Carat is weight. Two stones with the same carat weight can look very different because of their shape and spread. We therefore compare how large a stone looks on the hand, rather than only what the certificate says.
Colour and clarity: choose with your eyes
Colour describes tint. Clarity describes internal characteristics. The right balance creates a pleasing appearance without paying for specifications you do not notice in the ring.