Skip to main content
  • 110% Diamond Upgrade
  • Low Price Guarantee
  • Lifetime Service & Maintenance
  • Financing & Layaway
  • 919.725.3444
  • Visit Us
  • Financing
  • Login
  • Wishlist
  • My Bag (0)
Raleigh Diamond Fine Jewelry logo
(0)
  • Engagement Rings
    Choose your Style
    Solitaire Side-Stone Three Stone Halo Pave Antique Single Row Multi Row Bypass
    Solitaire Side-Stone Three Stone Halo Pave
    Vintage Single Row Multi Row Bypass
    Build a Ring
    Start with the RingStart with the Diamond
    Engagement Rings
    Complete Engagement RingsSetting only (Center Stone Not Included)Designer Engagement RingsModern Estate Engagement RingsVintage Estate Engagement Rings
    Wedding Bands
    Women's Wedding BandsMen's Wedding BandsEstate Wedding BandsAnniversary BandsEternity Bands
    Browse All Engagement
    Browse All Engagement

    Engagement Rings
  • Diamonds
    Search Diamonds
    Round Princess Emerald Asscher Radiant
    Cushion Oval Pear Marquise Heart
    Diamonds
    The 4cs of DiamondsLab Grown DiamondsDiamond Buying Tips110% Diamond UpgradeDiamond Cleaning
    Browse All Diamonds
    Browse All Diamonds

    Diamonds
  • Jewelry
    Birthstones
    JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
    Loose Stones
    Lab Grown DiamondsMined Natural DiamondsLoose Colored Stones
    Engagement
    Diamond Engagement RingsSemi-mount Engagement Rings
    Wedding Bands
    Diamond Wedding BandsGold Wedding Bands
    Alternative Men's Bands
    CeramicCobaltPlatinumTitaniumTungstenZirconium
    Fashion Rings
    Men's Fashion RingsDiamond Fashion RingsGold Fashion RingsSilver Fashion RingsPearl Fashion RingsColored Stone Fashion Rings
    Earrings
    Diamond EarringsDiamond Stud EarringsGold EarringsSilver EarringsPearl EarringsColored Stone Earrings
    Charms & Pendants
    Diamond Charms & PendantsGold Charms & PendantsSilver Charms & PendantsPearl Charms & PendantsColored Stone Charms & Pendants
    Necklaces
    Diamond NecklacesGold NecklacesSilver NecklacesPearl Necklaces
    Chains
    Men's ChainsGold ChainsSilver Chains
    Bracelets
    Diamond BraceletsGold BraceletsSilver BraceletsPearl BraceletsColored Stone BraceletsBangle BraceletsChain BraceletsReligious Bracelets
    Watches
    Estate Rolex Watches
    Estate Jewelry
    Bracelets (estate)Brooches & Pins (estate)Chains (estate)Class Rings (estate)Cufflinks (estate)Earrings (estate)Engagement Rings (estate)Fashion Rings (estate)Necklaces (estate)Pendants/Charms (estate)Watches (estate)Wedding Bands (estate)
    Designer Jewelry
    AmavidaAnia HaieBenchmarkGabriel & Co. EngagementGabriel & Co. FashionImperialLashbrook DesignsS. KashiStuller
    Estate Designer Jewelry
    Cartier (estate)David Yurman (estate)John Hardy (estate)Le Vian (estate)Tiffany & Co. (estate)
    Specials
    Deals Under $500

    Jewelry
  • Designers
    AmavidaAnia HaieAURELIE GI
    Designer - Estate JewelryBenchmarkGabriel & Co Bridal
    Gabriel & Co. FashionImperial PearlsLashbrook Designs
    StullerRolex - Estate Watches

    Designers
  • Services
    Build a Ring Jewelry Design
    Jewelry & Watch Repair Appraisals
    Financing Jewelry Insurance
    Insurance Replacement Services What We Pay for Gold

    Explore All Services
  • Financing
  • Education
    Jewelry Education The Four Cs of Diamonds Diamond Buying Tips Choosing the Right Setting
    Birthstone Guide Gemstone Guide Precious Metals Caring for Fine Jewelry
    Diamond Cleaning Gemstone Cleaning Anniversary Guide What We Pay For Gold

    Explore All Education
  • About Us
    About Us Why Choose Raleigh Diamond
    Contact Us Store Reviews
    Follow Us Charities We Support

    Explore All About Us
  •  (0)
Location
My Cart (0)
Checkout
Log In
Call Us
Shop By
  • Birthstones
  • Loose Stones
  • Engagement
  • Wedding Bands
  • Alternative Men's Bands
  • Fashion Rings
  • Earrings
  • Charms & Pendants
  • Necklaces
  • Chains
  • Bracelets
  • Watches
  • Estate Jewelry
  • Designer Jewelry
  • Estate Designer Jewelry
  • Specials
  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 Raleigh Diamond Fine Jewelry 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 Raleigh Diamond Fine Jewelry and is typically not recommended.

Excellent
Very Good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not carried by Raleigh Diamond Fine Jewelry

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

Raleigh Diamond Fine Jewelry
5925 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 100
Raleigh, NC 27612
(919) 725-3444
Store Information
Our Hours
Monday - Saturday:10:00am - 7:00pm
Sunday:12:00pm - 6:00pm
Follow Us
Shop Jewelry
  • Birthstones
  • Loose Stones
  • Engagement
  • Wedding Bands
  • Alternative Men's Bands
  • Fashion Rings
  • Earrings
  • Charms & Pendants
  • Necklaces
  • Chains
  • Bracelets
  • Watches
  • Estate Jewelry
  • Designer Jewelry
  • Estate Designer Jewelry
  • Specials
Our Store
  • About Us
  • Why Choose Raleigh Diamond
  • Store Reviews
  • Charities We Support
  • Meet the Team
  • Contact Us
Customer Service
  • Services
  • Shipping Policy
  • Warranties & Guarantees
  • Lifetime Service & Maintenance
  • Military & Service Discount
  • Return Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • My Account

© 2023 Raleigh Diamond Fine Jewelry. All Rights Reserved. Website designed, maintained, and hosted by Punchmark. Accessibility Statement.