A carat is the measurement of the diamond’s weight. Each carat is divided into 100 points. This measurement system enables diamonds to be weighted very precisely. While carat weight influences a diamond’s size, two diamonds of the same carat weight can look different depending on their shape and cut.

A diamond’s color is actually determined by its absence of color. A diamond’s color is graded from D-Z with a D colored diamond being colorless and a Z colored diamond having a light hue. Some color variations along the color scale are incapable of being seen by the naked eye.

Natural diamonds are formed by carbon being exposed to heat and pressure under the earth’s surface. This process can result in tiny imperfections often called “inclusions”. The clarity of a diamond relates to how many inclusions, if any, can be seen in a diamond and whether they can be seen only under magnification or to the naked eye. The clarity scale ranges from Flawless to Included.

When talking about diamonds, the cut is often confused with the diamond’s shape. These are in fact two very different things. The cut of the diamond is the way it is faceted and polished, not its actual shape. The Cut gives the diamond its sparkle, brightness, and its fire. Cut is graded from Excellent to Poor, with well-cut diamonds reflecting light beautifully to maximize their brilliance.