Skip to main content
COMPLIMENTARY FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS OVER $300
  • ALEXANDRIA LOCATION 703-836-1401
  • MIDDLEBURG LOCATION 540-454-7009
  • Contact Us
    • Make an Appointment
    • Old Town Alexandria
    • Middleburg
    • The Inn at Little Washington
    • Salamander Resort & Spa
  • My Account
  • Search
  • Wish List
Mystique Jewelers
  • Love & Engagement
    • Mystique Engagement Rings
      • Vintage Inspired
      • 3-Stone Settings
      • Classic Solitaire
      • Halo Settings
      • Settings With Sidestones
      • Gemstone Engagement Rings
    • Shop Natural Diamonds
    • Shop Lab Grown Diamonds
    • Wedding Bands with Stones
    • Wedding Bands without Stones
    • Create a Wish List
    • Contact an Expert
  • Jewelry
    • New Arrivals
    • Rings
      • Diamond Rings
      • Gold Rings
      • Gemstone Rings
    • Earrings
      • Diamond Earrings
      • Diamond Stud Earrings
      • Gold Earrings
      • Gemstone Earrings
    • Earring Charms
    • Bracelets
      • Gold Bracelets
      • Fashion Bracelets
      • Diamond Bracelets
      • Gemstone Bracelets
    • Necklaces
      • Diamond Neckalces
      • Gold Neckalces
      • Gemstone Necklaces
    • Pendants & Enhancers
    • Pearls
    • Charms
    • Estate Jewelry
    • Men's Jewelry
      • Watches
    • Equestrian Jewelry
    • Mystique Fine Jewelry
    • Gifts Under $500
    • Sale Items
  • Custom Design
    • Start a Project
    • Custom Work
  • Our Brands
    • Ammara Stone
    • Beverley K
    • Erica Molinari
    • Evocateur
    • Gumuchian
    • Jaime Joseph
    • Jude Frances
    • KC Designs
    • Lawson Dahl
    • LexiMazz
    • Lisa Nik
    • Lizabeth
    • Mystique Equestrian Collection
    • Peter Storm
    • Roman + Jules
    • Temple St. Clair
    • The Mazza Company
    • The Mystique Collection
    • Uneek
    • William Henry Studio
    • Zoe Chicco
    • Benchmark
    • Forge
    • Tantalum
  • Services
    • Our Services
    • Custom Jewelry
    • Financing
    • Gold Buying & Consignment
  • The Mystique Story
    • About
    • What's Happening
    • Mystique Rewards Program
    • Conflict Free Diamonds
    • Education
  1. Home
  2. The 4Cs of Diamonds

The 4Cs of Diamonds

0.25 Carat

4.1 mm

0.50 Carat

5.0 mm

0.75 Carat

5.8 mm

1.00 Carat

6.5 mm

1.50 Carat

7.4 mm

2.00 Carat

8.2 mm

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 Mystique 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.


Too Shallow

Ideal Cut

Too Deep

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.


D

E-F

G-J

K-M

N-R

S-Z

The Color

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.

D - Colorless
E-F - Colorless
G-J - Near Colorless
K-M - Faint Yellow
N-R - Very Light Yellow
S-Z - Light Yellow

After 'Z' on the color scale, diamonds become fancy yellow, which cost more because of their rarity.


F-IF

VVS1-VVS2

VS1-VS2

SI1-SI2

I1

I2-I3

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.

F - No inclusions or blemishes are visible to a skilled grader.
IF - No inclusions and only blemishes are visible to a skilled grader.
VVS1-VVS2 - Inclusions are difficult for a skilled grader to see.
VS1-VS2 - Inclusions are clearly visible but can be characterized as minor.
SI1-SI2 - Inclusions are noticeable to a skilled grader.
I1-I3 - Inclusions are obvious and may affect transparency and brilliance.

*All diamonds are viewed through a 10x magnification lens by diamond graders.

The 4Cs of Diamonds
Mystique Jewelers Locations
    Old Town Alexandria
    123 S. Fairfax Street
    Alexandria, VA 22314
    (703) 836-1401
    Store Information
    Middleburg
    112 W Washington Street
    Middleburg, VA 20117
    (540) 687-3100
    Store Information
    The Inn at Little Washington
    Middle Street
    Washington, VA 22747
    (540) 675-3800
    Store Information
    Salamander Resort & Spa
    500 North Pendleton Street
    Middleburg, VA 20117
    (540) 751-3160
    Store Information
    Jewelry
    • Wedding Bands without Stones
    • Mystique Engagement Rings
    • Wedding Bands with Stones
    • Rings
    • Earrings
    • Earring Charms
    • Bracelets
    • Necklaces
    • Pendants & Enhancers
    • Pearls
    • Charms
    • Estate Jewelry
    • Men's Jewelry
    • Equestrian Jewelry
    • Gifts Under $500
    • Sale Items
    • Mystique Fine Jewelry
    • Diamond Fashion Rings
    • Engagement Rings
    • Fashion Rings
    • Pendants
    • Pearl Earrings
    • Earring Jackets
    Collections
    • Ammara Stone
    • Beverley K
    • Erica Molinari
    • Evocateur
    • Gumuchian
    • Jaime Joseph
    • Jude Frances
    • KC Designs
    • Lawson Dahl
    • LexiMazz
    • Lisa Nik
    • Lizabeth
    • Mystique Equestrian Collection
    • Peter Storm
    • Roman + Jules
    • Temple St. Clair
    • The Mazza Company
    • The Mystique Collection
    • Uneek
    • Vincent Peach
    • William Henry Studio
    • Zoe Chicco
    • Benchmark
    • Forge
    • Overnight
    • S. Kashi & Sons
    • Tantalum
    Our Store
    • Our Story
    • Custom Jewelry Design
    • Services
    Mailing List

    Sign up for special offers and discounts

    © 2021 Mystique Jewelers. All Rights Reserved. Website designed, maintained, and hosted by Punchmark. Accessibility Statement.