Understanding the diamond grading criteria used by laboratories is an important aspect when purchasing certified diamonds. A number of aspects of each individual diamond quality are covered by diamond grading, but there are four grades that we need to understand while purchasing diamonds.

Cut

The cut is the most important and differentiating characteristic of the 4Cs as it influences a diamond’s sparkle intensely. We can simply say, the higher the cut grade, the more it will sparkle.

A diamond may appear dull even after having a perfect clarity and colour grade just because it has a poor cut.

Choosing the highest cut grade diamond within your budget is recommended by Gemologists.

A diamond’s cut grade is an objective measure of a diamond’s light performance or what we generally think of as sparkle. Light returns out of the top of the diamond if it's cut proportionality. When light exposed from the bottom to deep it escapes out of the sides if the cut is too shallow.

Clarity

Clarity is the third most important characteristic because most of the imperfections cannot be detected with naked eyes unless scrutinised under professional magnification.

Some tiny imperfections known as inclusions are referred to the term clarity. The highest clarity grades are given to those diamonds which have the least and smallest inclusions.

Choose an SI quality diamond to widen your budget, though it might have very slight inclusions visible to the naked eye. If you are looking for a better quality diamond, we suggest you choose a VS or VVS Clarity diamond.

Colour

Colour is the second most important feature of the diamond as the human eye detects its sparkle first.

A diamond’s price increases as its colour grade improve. Though, at an assertive point, we cannot detect the colour difference unless we use professional magnification.

Always choose near-colourless diamond (grades G-H) because traces of the colour for these grades can still not be seen by the naked eye.

The Colour appears as pale yellow in a diamond. This is the reason why a diamond’s colour grade is based on the absence of colour. Only Colourless (grades D-F) to Near-Colourless (grades G-H) diamonds are offered by Sogani Jewels to make sure that any natural colour present is typically not traceable to the unaided eye.

Carat Weight

This is the most commonly known and generally misunderstood characteristic of all the 4Cs. A diamond’s weight is referred to as Carat Weight, not its size.

How large the Carat Weight will appear totally depends on a diamond’s cut. Smaller carat weight diamonds will appear larger with higher cut grades.

Consider a diamond slightly below your ideal carat weight to widen your budget. For example, instead of a 3.0-carat diamond consider buying a 2.9-carat weight. It will save you money and a slight change in the size isn't noticeable

Two facts need to be considered here:

The top diameter of a diamond is to be measured in millimetres, the distance through the top (diameter) of the diamond as this is how it can be seen when set into a ring.

The cut grade of a diamond is also to be considered while purchasing it. If a diamond is cut well, the light reflected from the top will make it appear larger.