A diamond’s value is determined by the 4Cs – two of which are Clarity and Cut. A diamond's clarity and cut play significant roles in how the stone reacts to light, which can either inhibit or enhance the light – making a diamond sparkle.
If you’re in the market for a diamond or diamond jewellery, you may have noticed that two diamonds that are seemingly the same in terms of looks can often have significantly different price points. This is because even a small change in clarity and cut can change the value (and rarity) of a diamond.
Understanding how clarity and cut can change the appearance of a diamond and the qualities that contribute to a diamond’s price, will help you to work out which is more important.
Diamond clarity determines how clear a diamond is from internal inclusions and external blemishes. A diamond’s clarity is calculated on the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) clarity scale, which ranges from I (included) to FL (flawless) – FL is the highest possible grade.
The clarity of a diamond significantly impacts how the light passes through it – making it the difference between a brilliant appearance and an underwhelming appearance. Clarity is dependent on how many inclusions and blemishes a diamond has.
Inclusions refer to the internal characteristics of a diamond, such as clouding, graining, and feathering. Blemishes are the external characteristics of a diamond, like flecks, rough girdles, scratches, and surface graining. Heavy inclusions and blemishes in a diamond will block the light and hinder its ability to sparkle.
A diamond with a higher clarity grade will generally cost more than a diamond of the same carat weight with a lower clarity grade. Because higher clarity grade diamonds don’t have visible flaws, they are more rare and more valuable.
As diamonds with a clarity grade of flawless are extremely rare, diamonds are valued on what can be seen by the naked eye. The GIA clarity score has 11 clarity grades - a clarity grade of anything above the middle range can raise the price of a diamond significantly.
The cut refers to how a diamond interacts with light. A diamond’s cut describes the overall design of a diamond including the shape, like emerald, round, pear, or oval, and the arrangement and proportions of the diamond’s facets. When a diamond’s proportions are cut with precision, light enters and exits through the diamond’s surface, known as the table. A diamond’s cut is graded on the GIA cut grade, ranging from Poor to Excellent.
A diamond's cut changes the brilliance level of a diamond’s appearance considerably. Every cut is evaluated on the diamond’s “face-up” appearance and how the diamond balances durability, symmetry, proportions, and polish.
An expertly cut diamond will reflect all of the incoming light through all angles of the diamond. A poorly cut diamond, however, will hinder any light that comes through the diamond – taking away from the diamond’s sparkle.
The higher the cut grade, the higher the price of the diamond. A diamond’s cut is a question of craftsmanship, and the more experience and skill a jeweller has, the more valuable their work is. The cut also determines how much of the diamond is waiting during the cutting process – the more waste, the higher the price rises.
The clarity and cut work together to make a diamond sparkle – however, the cut is more important in terms of value and appearance. A high clarity grade cannot help a poor cut, whereas a good cut can help enhance poor clarity.
A cut’s value determines the overall appearance of a diamond as it reflects the light and makes the diamond glimmer. In saying this, determining if cut or clarity is more important depends on personal preference.
The 4Cs are a diamond's characteristics that determine its rarity and, in turn, value. The 4Cs refer to a diamond's carat weight, colour, clarity, and cut, and each quality captures a diamond’s unique details like quality, brilliance, and response to light.
Out of the 4Cs, the cut is considered the most important, delivering what we all desire from a diamond – brilliance. A diamond with a cut score of Good, Very Good, or Excellent creates depth within the diamond, enhances its qualities, and makes a diamond sparkle.
