A diamond is graded by the 4C: Cut, Colour, Clarity, Carat. Knowing them saves money.
Cut — most important for sparkle; don't skimp (Excellent/Very Good). ## Colour — D to Z; G–H looks white for less. ## Clarity — VS–SI is eye-clean and cheaper than flawless. ## Carat — price is non-linear; 0.90 ct looks like 1 ct for less.
Frequently asked questions
Which 4C matters most?+
Cut — it drives the sparkle; never skimp on it.