The Four Cs

[Qtr 90]

Of all the four Cs, which is the most important in determining a diamonds value?

[candigirl78]

i think cut, color, clarity, and carat are most important in that order...........

it has to be ideal cut.... and it has to be at least G color and at least Si1 if you ask me!! then whatever carat size u can afford is what u can afford.

[ukmarkyj]

For diamond value you really have to consider a combination of cut, colour, clarity and carat weight all working at the same time to determine the value. There is no single factor that will alone decide the value. Each of these factors can vary extremely subtly with each working almost like a sliding scale. The importance given to any of these factors comes down to personal preference. Some people assign a greater personal preference to whiteness, whereas for others it is sheer carat weight. I do agree that cut is important as all are. The way a diamond handles light is what provides the sparkle, put simply. A poorly cut diamond is something you should not desire, whereas, personally speaking, some lower colour diamonds are themselves extremely attractive despite the lack of whiteness.

[Qtr 90]

Interesting. I think I read somewhere there some cuts or shapes are specifically made so that the diamond contains the most amount of carat weight.

What do you mean by "a poorly cut diamond is something you should desire"? Is that because the carat weight of the diamond would be more, or did you mean 'should not' desire?

[ukmarkyj]

Apologies - I did mean a poorly cut stone is something you should "not" desire. I have amended it. Thanks.

Many diamonds are cut to retain as much weight as possible. This is for purely commercial reasons. It is far better to keep to a nicely proportioned diamond. I am no expert when it comes to diamond cutting (I am sure there are some experienced members when it comes to rough) but I do know that some shapes tend to be less expensive due to there being less waste when the stone is cut (although no part of the diamond is ever truly "wasted")

Princess cuts are an example of this. Often two princess cuts can be created from the crystal depending on how the rough is cut.

[Qtr 90]

That makes a little more sense. Thanks, Mark.

Could you explain the process of the two princesses emerging from one crystal a bit more? Is the crystal a type of cube typically?

Of all the four Cs, it would seem to me that color matters the least. If it is more clear, then the color is more clear. If it is scaled more toward yellow, then its a yellow-style diamond. After all, aren't blue and pink diamonds worth more? Just seems the color factor is the most arbitrary.

[Yosef]

QTR - take a look at the pic I attached, and you'll see why princess shape stones (or square shapes in general) have higher yield per carat from roughs then rounds. That's why rounds cost more per carat then square shapes on average.

[amol1980]

I think cut is most important. It is a cut that decides brilliance of a diamond. Only a well-cut diamond will reflect the maximum amount of light back to the eye. Cut is a vital aspect which affects complete quality and beauty of a diamond.

[Mervyn L. Cohn ASA]

Of all the four Cs, which is the most important in determining a diamonds value?

THATS EASY, ALL OF THEM

In order of their affect on a diamonds beauty/ value
CUT determines the Brilliance/Sparkle
CLARTY supports the Brilliance, but only marginally
COLOR only makes a difference in the lower muddier colors from N to X
CARAT WEIGHT only effects the pocket book, but they start to look impressive around .60ct