Skip to primary navigationSkip to main contentSkip to footer
  • EducationToggle Jewelry Education Menu
    • Jewelry Education
    • Diamond Education
      • The Four Cs of Diamonds
      • Diamond Buying Tips
    • Choosing the Ring
    • Learn About Gemstones
      • Birthstone Guide
      • Gemstone Guide
    • Precious Metals
    • Jewelry Care
      • Caring for Fine Jewelry
      • Diamond Cleaning
      • Gemstone Cleaning
    • Anniversary Guide
    • Gold Buying Guide
  • Contact
  • SearchToggle Toolbar Search Menu
  • (607) 734-9400
Ray Jewelers logo
  • Bridal
    • Start with the Diamond
    • Start with the Ring
    • Diamond Education
    • Choosing the Right Ring
  • Brands
    • Gabriel & Co. Engagement Rings
    • Gabriel & Co. Fashion
    • Brevani
    • Allison Kaufman
    • Ashi Diamonds
    • Benchmark Wedding Bands
    • Cape Cod Bracelets & Jewelry
    • Carla Corporation American Made Jewelry
    • Charles Garnier
    • Citizen Signature Watches
    • Diamonds from Antwerp, Belgium
    • Finger Lakes Jewelry
    • Fingerprint Jewelry
    • Forge
    • Hug
    • Imperial Pearls
    • INOX Jewelry
    • Keith Jack
    • Lake Watches - Wateresque
    • Leslie's Gold Jewelry
    • M-Clip Men's Accessories
    • Michou Jewelry
    • Ostbye Bridal Jewelry & More
    • Overnight Mountings
    • Parle Gemstone Jewelry
    • Petals Of Honor
    • Rembrandt Charms
    • Royal Chain Jewelry
    • Seiko Watches
    • Stuller Bridal, Family Jewelry
    • T.Jazelle
    • Tantalum
    • Unique Settings
  • Jewelry
    • Bridal Jewelry
        Engagement RingsWomen's Wedding BandsMen's Wedding Bands
    • Rings
        Silver RingsGold Fashion RingsDiamond Fashion RingsGemstone Rings
    • Earrings
        Pearl EarringsSilver EarringsGemstone EarringsGold EarringsDiamond Earrings
    • Necklaces and Pendants
        Silver ChainsGold ChainsPearl Necklaces and PendantsGemstone Necklaces and PendantsDiamond Necklaces and PendantsSilver Necklaces and PendantsGold Necklaces and Pendants
    • Bracelets
        Men's BraceletsPearl BraceletsGemstone BraceletsDiamond BraceletsGold BraceletsSilver Bracelets
    • Watches
        Women's WatchesMen's Watches
    • Diamonds
        Diamonds by SizeDiamonds by ShapeGIA Certified DiamondsAntwerp Diamonds
    • Petals of Honor
  • Diamonds
    • Search for Diamonds
    • Diamonds from Antwerp
  • Our Store
    • Our Store
    • Gabriel & Co. Bridal
    • Jewelry Repair
    • HOME
    • Bridal Jewelry
    • Jewelry Landing Page
    • Gabriel bridal
    • Gabriel Fashion
    • Antwerp Diamonds
    • Watch Repair
    • Diamonds From Antwerp, Belgium
    • Cleaning
    • Your Master IJO Jeweler
    • Engraving
    • Custom Jewelry Design
    • Pearl Stringing
    • FAQ's
    • Our Services
    • Financing
  • Services
    • Jewelry Repair
    • Jewelry Cleaning
    • Watch Repair
    • Engraving
    • Custom Jewelry Design
    • Pearl Restringing
    • Financing
  • AccountToggle My Account Menu
    Forgot Password?

    Don't have an account? Sign up now

  • My BagToggle Shopping Cart
  1. Home
  2. Education
  3. Diamonds

Learn About Diamonds

The Four Cs of Diamonds

Our Four C's of Diamonds guide can help you decide on the most important factors when shopping for a diamond.

  • Carat
  • Cut
  • Color
  • Clarity

The Carat Weight

The word carat derives from the word carob, a Mediterranean seed, which has an extremely consistent weight for measuring. The greater the carat weight, the rarer, and more valuable the diamond becomes. Five metric carats weighs exactly 1 gram.

Some people want the largest diamond possible. If size is a priority, we at Ray Jewelers can help you classify the proper cut, color and clarity to fit your budget economically, and fit your jewelry beautifully. Many of our engagement rings can fit diamonds up to 5.00 carats, but each ring has different size constraints based on its size and the type of setting. Prong settings can be manipulated to fit virtually any size diamond, but tension-set diamonds and bezel set diamonds have more limitations on size.

The Cut

The true definition of cut is the quality of the proportions and symmetry of the diamond. Your diamond's proportions make a vast difference on how brightly your diamond shines. An 'ideal cut' diamond is one that allows the maximum amount of light to return through the top of the diamond, which takes into consideration the depth, table size, crown height and angle, girdle thickness and more. Our diamond professionals will be happy to assist you in selecting the best diamond cut.

After a rough diamond is mined, it is evaluated to determine its best possible cut, in order to maintain the maximum clarity, color, and carat weight. The term 'cut' is often confused with diamond 'shape', such as round brilliant or princess cut.

Excellent

This is the rarest cut grade and reflects the most light.

Very Good

This cut grade reflects nearly as much light as an Excellent cut grade, but for a lower price.

Good

This cut grade reflects most of the light that enters the diamond, but not as much as a Very Good cut grade.

Fair

This cut grade may appear dull or even glassy, and is very inexpensive.

Poor

This cut grade is not carried by Ray Jewelers and is typically not recommended.

Excellent
Very Good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not carried by Ray Jewelers

MORE DIAMONDS

The Color

Color is one of the more noticeable attributes of a diamond and has a heavy impact on the price of the stone. Diamonds range from colorless to yellow or light brown, and are sometimes found in a spectrum of fancy colors, including yellow, blue, and even red diamonds. The less color, the rarer the diamond. After 'Z' on the color scale, diamonds become fancy yellow, which cost more because of their rarity.

Z-N
M-K
Noticeable Color
J
I
H
G
Near Colorless
F
E
D
Colorless
Z-N
M-K
J
I
H
G
F
E
D
Noticeable Color
Near Colorless
Colorless

The Clarity

Diamonds are composed of mostly carbon. During the heating process, other elements become trapped inside, giving each diamond its own unique fingerprint. These inclusions help identify the clarity of your diamond. All diamonds are viewed through a 10x magnification lens by diamond graders.

Flawless

No inclusions or blemishes are visible to a skilled grader.

Internally Flawless

No inclusions and only blemishes are visible to a skilled grader.

Very Very Slightly Included

Inclusions are difficult for a skilled grader to see.

Very Slightly Included

Inclusions are clearly visible but can be characterized as minor.

Slightly Included

Inclusions are noticeable to a skilled grader.

Included

Inclusions are obvious and may affect transparency and brilliance.

FFlawless
IFInternally Flawless
VVS1
VVS2
Very Very Slightly Included
VS1
VS2
Very Slightly Included
SI1
SI2
Slightly Included
I1
I2
I3
Included

MORE DIAMONDS

Shop Loose Diamonds

Ray Jewelers
Ray Jewelers
Wegmans Plaza
1100 Clemens Center Parkway
Elmira, NY 14901
(607) 734-9400
Store Information
Hours
Monday:Closed
Tues - Fri:10:00am - 5:30pm
Saturday:10:00am - 3:00pm
Sunday:Closed
Follow Us
Jewelry
  • Bridal Jewelry
  • Rings
  • Earrings
  • Necklaces and Pendants
  • Bracelets
  • Watches
  • Diamonds
  • Petals of Honor
Our Store
  • Our Store
  • Your Master IJO Jeweler
  • FAQ's
Designers
  • Gabriel & Co. Engagement Rings
  • Gabriel & Co. Fashion
  • Brevani
  • Allison Kaufman
  • Ashi Diamonds
  • Benchmark Wedding Bands
  • Cape Cod Bracelets & Jewelry
  • Carla Corporation American Made Jewelry
  • Charles Garnier
  • Citizen Signature Watches
  • Diamonds from Antwerp, Belgium
  • Finger Lakes Jewelry
  • Fingerprint Jewelry
  • Forge
  • Hug
  • Imperial Pearls
  • INOX Jewelry
  • Keith Jack
  • Lake Watches - Wateresque
  • Leslie's Gold Jewelry
  • M-Clip Men's Accessories
  • Michou Jewelry
  • Ostbye Bridal Jewelry & More
  • Overnight Mountings
  • Parle Gemstone Jewelry
  • Petals Of Honor
  • Rembrandt Charms
  • Royal Chain Jewelry
  • Seiko Watches
  • Stuller Bridal, Family Jewelry
  • T.Jazelle
  • Tantalum
  • Unique Settings
Exclusive Offers

Signup for special offers and discounts.

  • Gemological Institute of America
  • Independent Jewelers Organization
  • Retail Jewelers Organization

© 2025 Ray Jewelers. All Rights Reserved. Website designed, maintained, and hosted by Punchmark. Accessibility Statement.

Learn how we use cookies in our Privacy Policy or manage cookie preferences.