Read time: 8 minutes
At Taels Jewellery, we know that selecting the perfect diamond involves much more than reading a certificate. While the famous 4Cs—Cut, Colour, Clarity, and Carat—provide a framework, finding your ideal diamond requires seeing it in person.
The Certificate Isn't Everything
While certificates from GIA or IGI provide valuable data, they're just the starting point. Two diamonds with identical gradings on paper can look remarkably different in person. We always recommend viewing diamonds through high-quality images or, ideally, in person before purchasing.
Let's explore each of the 4Cs with practical insights on finding the best value.
Cut: The Most Critical C
Cut is the most important factor determining a diamond's brilliance and sparkle.
What the Certificate Tells You: For round diamonds, cut grades range from Excellent to Poor, considering proportions, symmetry, and polish.
What It Doesn't Tell You: Cut grading only applies to round diamonds—not oval, pear, marquise, or any fancy shapes.
Taels Tips for Cut:
- An excellent cut with lower colour or clarity will often appear more brilliant than a poorly cut diamond with flawless clarity.
- For fancy shapes, we look for issues like the "bowtie effect" (dark areas in oval, pear, and marquise diamonds), which won't be noted on certificates.
- Unless you examine diamonds regularly, identifying optimal cut quality requires expert assistance.
- We select proportions that maximise the appearance of size without sacrificing brilliance.
Colour: Context Matters
Diamond colour grading measures the absence of colour, with completely colourless diamonds receiving the highest grades.
What the Certificate Tells You: Colour grades range from D (colourless) to Z (light yellow/brown).
What It Doesn't Tell You: How the diamond will appear in different settings and lighting conditions.
Taels Tips for Colour:
- If you've chosen a yellow gold setting, you can comfortably go down in colour grade (perhaps to H or I). The yellow gold makes a slightly warmer diamond appear whiter, saving you money without compromising appearance.
- In platinum or white gold settings, staying above the G-H range often provides the best value while still appearing white to the naked eye.
- Certain cuts show colour more than others—emerald and asscher cuts tend to reveal more colour than brilliant cuts.
Clarity: The Naked Eye Truth
Clarity refers to the absence of inclusions (internal flaws) and blemishes (surface irregularities).
What the Certificate Tells You: Clarity grades range from Flawless to Included.
What It Doesn't Tell You: Whether inclusions are visible without magnification or how they affect overall appearance.
Taels Tips for Clarity:
- Don't be afraid of SI (Slightly Included) clarity grades! Many SI1 and even some SI2 diamonds are "eye-clean," meaning inclusions aren't visible to the naked eye. We are able to help you identify this through our strict quality check process.
- The position of inclusions matters more than their existence. A small inclusion hidden under a prong can mean excellent value.
- We specifically select diamonds that are eye-clean regardless of their technical grade, maximising your budget without sacrificing beauty.
Carat: It Isn't Everything
Carat refers to a diamond's weight—not its size or dimensions.
What the Certificate Tells You: The exact weight and dimensions of the diamond.
Taels Tips for Carat:
- The biggest misconception is equating carat with size. Carat measures weight, not dimensions.
- You can find a 1.5-carat diamond that appears as large as a 2-carat stone but costs significantly less—it's all about the measurements and proportions.
- Look at millimetre dimensions instead of fixating on carat weight. A well-cut diamond can appear larger than its actual weight.
- Consider diamonds just below popular thresholds (like 0.9 instead of 1.0) for significant savings with minimal visual difference.
Where Do I Start When Looking for a Diamond?
This is one of the most common questions we hear from clients beginning their diamond journey. With so much information available, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Here's our straightforward advice:
- Start with budget, not specifications - Decide what you're comfortable spending before fixating on specific 4Cs grades.
- Prioritise cut quality - This has the biggest impact on a diamond's beauty and sparkle.
- Be flexible with your specifications - Sometimes a slightly smaller carat weight with better cut creates a more beautiful diamond.
- Work with experts - Partner with jewellers who will show you options in person and explain the visual differences beyond certificate grades.
- Consider the setting - Your choice of metal and design can enhance certain diamond characteristics while minimising others.
The most important first step is finding a jeweller you trust who prioritises education over selling you the most expensive stone.
Our Diamond Selection Process
At Taels, our approach is simple and effective:
- Virtual consultation to understand your preferences and budget
- We select 2-3 diamonds with the most potential for your needs
- In-person viewing where you can see the true brilliance of each stone
During this consultation, clients often realise they prefer diamonds with "lower" technical grades over ones with "higher" grades. They learn about aspects like diamond ratios for their hand shape, avoiding the "bowtie effect," and why visual appearance matters more than certificate numbers.
Lab-Grown Options
With lab-grown diamonds, you can now get exceptional clarity, colour, and carat weight for a fraction of the cost of natural diamonds. This allows you to prioritise cut quality without compromising other aspects.
Whether you choose lab-grown or natural, we help you find diamonds that maximise value while staying within your budget. Our priority is finding a diamond that will take your breath away—not just one that looks good on paper.
Get More Diamond Knowledge
To deepen your understanding of diamond grading, download the GIA's comprehensive 4Cs guide here.
Remember that while these resources are valuable, nothing replaces seeing diamonds in person with an expert. Ready to discover your perfect diamond beyond the certificate? Book a chat with us today.
