4Cs: What to Prioritize?

When it comes to buying diamonds, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Diamonds are naturally formed over millions of years, each unique and deserving an individual assessment. The 4Cs of diamonds and other related factors help make the assessment process more manageable.

Below, we have outlined four scenarios that first-buyers often consider while buying diamonds. Use them to select the best option within a particular budget range.

These scenarios apply to mined diamonds. Learn more about  lab-grown diamonds here.

Scenario 1: Buying the Highest Quality Diamonds 

Under this scenario, shoppers prioritize quality over size. Accordingly, they often buy "investment grade" GIA or AGS diamonds with flawless to  VVS clarity and D to F color with excellent/ideal cut and no fluorescence, weighing at least 1 carat. The two factors that qualify diamonds in this range as investment-grade are rarity and scarcity. In our estimation, less than 1% of all naturally mined diamonds excel in terms of the  4Cs and fluorescence to qualify as investment grade.

Below are two examples of investment-grade diamonds:

GIA 1.5 carat D IF ideal cut. Follow link

AGS 1.72 Carat E VVS1 ideal cut. Follow link

What diamonds qualify under this range?

• Lowest carat weight: 1 carat
• Lowest color: G color (at the top of the near colorless range).
• Lowest clarity: VS1 clarity
• Lowest fluorescence range: none
• Qualifying grading labs: GIA, AGS, GCAL

Scenario 2: Prioritizing Quality and Carat Weight 

Shoppers in this category take a balanced approach. They want to maximize all four Cs instead of prioritizing the highest grades under each C, which is often preferable. Some diamonds under this category might even fall within the "investment-grade" range. So, what could be the ideal option under this category?

Generally, shoppers aim for a 1.5-carat weight instead of 1-1.2 carat and choose a G/H color diamond with VS2-VS1 clarity, excellent cut, and tolerance for up to faint or medium blue fluorescence. However, shoppers still stick with either  GIA or AGS certification.

Here are a couple of examples of diamonds within the “balanced-approach” range:

GIA 1.2 carat G, VS2, excellent cut. Follow link

GIA1.5 carat H, VS1, ideal cut. Follow link

What range qualifies under this scenario?

• The lowest carat: 0.9 carat
• The lowest color: I color (near colorless range).
• The lowest clarity: SI1 clarity.
• The lowest fluorescence: none to medium blue fluorescence.
• Qualifying Grading Labs: GIA, AGS,GCAL, HRD, and IGI.

Scenario 3: Prioritizing Carat Weight with Optimal Brilliance 

In this option, buyers want a big stone at the cost of the other 3Cs, although they do not prefer buying an ugly-looking stone. This implies that, in a sense, they are willing to take a calculated risk.

Shoppers under this category do not mind a slight yellow tint and low clarity grades, such as SI1/SI2 clarity, if the stone is eye-clean in terms of inclusions and the cut is very good to excellent. In addition, because they do not mind near colorless diamonds, they are willing to consider  strong blue fluorescence (fluorescence in I, J, K, and lower color ranges is often a positive factor).

As a result, these shoppers would ideally go for a 2-carat diamond—instead of 1.5 carats—SI1 or SI2 clarity, I/J color, good to excellent cut with very good to ideal proportions, and up to strong blue fluorescence. It is imperative to  buy only GIA-certified diamonds in this range as other labs are not consistent when they grade lower clarity and color grades (avoid even AGS in this range).

Below are a couple of examples of good large stones with lower clarity and color but with brilliant options:

GIA 2 carat SI1, H, excellent cut. Follow link

GIA 1.5 carat, SI2, I, very good cut. Follow link

What range qualifies under this scenario?

• The lowest carat weight: 0.8 carat
• The lowest color: J color (bottom of the near colorless range)
• The lowest clarity: SI2 clarity so long as the stone is entirely or at least 90% eye-clean
• The lowest fluorescence: none to strong blue fluorescence (presence of fluorescence is usually preferred in this range)
• Qualifying grading labs: GIA

Scenario 4: Ignoring One C Entirely 

Buyers in this scenario often ignore the importance of one C entirely to buy a big diamond within a tight budget range without compromising on fire and scintillation. What C could that be? For us, the C that should be compromised is Color. Diamonds in colorless grades with low clarity look dull and lifeless. Conversely, diamonds in low color grades, such as K-M, but with high clarity grades, including the VS/VVS range, still have great fire and scintillation, especially if they are well-cut. Therefore, the best approach to this scenario—assuming your budget is 5K—is to go for a 1.5-carat K-M color diamond with VVS/VS clarity and excellent cut (even strong blue fluorescence is acceptable). IGI or HRD certification labs are also sufficient for this range as they are consistent in grading low color and high clarity grade diamonds correctly.

Here are a couple of good examples in this range:

GIA. 1.53 carat round VS1, L color. Follow Link

GIA. 3 carat VVS, L, blue fluorescence, ideal cut. Follow link

What range qualifies in this scenario?

• The lowest carat weight: any
• The lowest color: K-Z color (faint to light yellow)
• The lowest clarity: flawless to VS1 clarity
• The lowest fluorescence range: none to very strong blue— the presence of fluorescence is preferred in this range.
• Qualifying grading labs: GIA, AGS, GSL, HRD, IGI, and PGS.

Conclusion:

What you prioritize depends on your budget. If it is substantial, we advise that you purchase high-quality diamonds—investment-grade ones—because their chances of maintaining value as they age are high, owing to their rarity. Mining costs increase, and as a result, diamonds will become harder to mine, and their prices will increase. Thus, an investment in a high-quality diamond can prove very beneficial going forward. Furthermore, these diamonds have the best brilliance, fire, and scintillation.

The second scenario is as good as the first one. There is no harm in opting for a balanced approach, not compromising excessively on any C, and equally prioritizing quality and size. These high-quality and large-size diamonds are in high demand and have the best resale value. They also have increased circulation since more people can afford to buy them, as opposed to high-quality investment-grade diamonds that few people can afford.

If your budget is limited and size is essential, compromising on clarity and color might help you obtain a decent quality diamond. However, it is crucial to do high due diligence and identify the right diamond with the proper inclusion types (location) and fluorescence. Furthermore, we strongly emphasize that the diamond be eye-clean in this scenario. Please make sure you spend enough time learning about the details of the 4Cs before considering this option.

Finally, if you are willing to compromise on one C to get a big diamond, we recommend that you compromise on color and maximize clarity and cut. Even if the diamond is slightly yellow, it will still have good fire and brilliance. Some buyers prefer warmer colors, so this might not be a bad option if you are okay with a slight yellow hue. If you consider this scenario, make sure you follow our fluorescence guide, as it can be a helpful factor. Please note that blue is a complementary color to yellow, so blue fluorescence can make yellow diamonds appear whiter than their actual color grade.