Understanding Cut, Color & Clarity
The three Cs that determine a diamond's beauty and value
Cut: The Most Important Factor
Cut grade determines how well a diamond reflects light. A well-cut diamond will sparkle more than a poorly cut one, regardless of color or clarity.
Excellent
Very Good
Good
Fair
Poor
💡 Our Recommendation
We recommend Excellent or Very Good cuts for maximum brilliance and fire.
Color: From Colorless to Tinted
Diamond color is graded from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown). The less color, the more valuable the diamond.
D-F
Colorless
G-J
Near Colorless
K-M
Faint
N-R
Very Light
S-Z
Light
💡 Our Recommendation
G-H colors offer the best value - near colorless appearance at a more accessible price point.
Clarity: Internal Characteristics
Clarity grades measure the number and visibility of inclusions (internal flaws) and blemishes (external flaws).
FL, IF
Flawless
No inclusions or blemishes visible under 10x magnification. Extremely rare.
VVS1, VVS2
Very Very Slightly
Minute inclusions extremely difficult to see under 10x magnification.
VS1, VS2
Very Slightly
Minor inclusions difficult to see under 10x magnification. Excellent value.
SI1, SI2
Slightly Included
Inclusions noticeable under 10x magnification, but often not visible to naked eye.
I1, I2, I3
Included
Inclusions visible to the naked eye and may affect transparency and brilliance.
💡 Our Recommendation
VS1-VS2 clarity offers the best balance of beauty and value. Inclusions are invisible to the naked eye.
Finding the Right Balance
The key is balancing these factors based on what matters most to you
Prioritize Cut
Excellent cut makes the biggest visual impact
Be Smart About Color
G-H colors look colorless to most people
Choose Eye-Clean Clarity
VS1-SI1 offers great value without visible flaws