4C's: Clarity, Cut, Color, Carat
Just like mined diamonds, lab-grown diamonds are graded using the universally recognized 4Cs: Clarity, Cut, Color, and Carat. These characteristics determine a diamond's beauty, quality, and value.
1. Clarity
Clarity refers to the presence of internal or external imperfections, known as inclusions and blemishes. Lab-grown diamonds typically have fewer inclusions than mined ones, as they’re created in controlled environments.
Clarity Grades (from highest to lowest):
FL (Flawless): No inclusions or blemishes visible under 10x magnification.
IF (Internally Flawless): No internal flaws, only minor surface blemishes.
VVS1-VVS2 (Very, Very Slightly Included): Minute inclusions, very hard to detect.
VS1-VS2 (Very Slightly Included): Small inclusions, still invisible to the naked eye.
SI1-SI2 (Slightly Included): Noticeable inclusions under magnification; some may be visible without it.
I1-I3 (Included): Obvious inclusions, may affect brilliance and durability.
2. Cut
The cut is not about shape (like round or princess), but how well the diamond is faceted, proportioned, and polished. A great cut maximizes brilliance and sparkle.
Cut Grades:
Excellent: Exceptional brilliance and fire.
Very Good: Reflects most light, nearly as brilliant.
Good: Still sparkles, but less than higher grades.
Fair: Noticeably less brilliance.
Poor: Dull appearance due to light leakage.
3. Color
Color in diamonds refers to the presence of a yellow or brown tint. The less color, the more valuable the diamond (unless it's a fancy color diamond like pink or blue).
Color Scale (D–Z):
D-F: Colorless – icy white and extremely rare.
G-J: Near Colorless – slight warmth, excellent value.
K-M: Faint Yellow – slightly noticeable tint.
N-Z: Noticeable yellow tint.
Lab-grown diamonds commonly fall in the D–J range, offering stunning colorless options.
4. Carat
Carat measures the weight of the diamond, not the size. One carat equals 200 milligrams. While larger diamonds are more rare and valuable, carat weight alone doesn’t determine beauty—balance with the other Cs matters!