Amongst all gemstones, diamonds can be categorized according many formally graded and categorized according to four distinct characteristics, other wise known as the four C’s. Even though the four C’s is the universal diamond grading system, the factors which determine the price of a particular diamond include the four C’s plus other additional factors. Some of the additional factors include the diamond’s fluorescence under Ultra-violet light, the diamond’s symmetry and polish

Carat
Carat is the measurement of weight for diamonds and other gemstones. One carat is divided into 100 points (i.e. 75 points equals to 0.75 cuts.). The greater the carat weights of a diamond, the greater the value and rarity, assuming the other factors (i.e. cut, colour, clarity) is equal.


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Colour
Diamonds are found in a wide range of colours. It is the absence of colour that makes a Diamond more valuable and rare (with exception to "Fancy Coloured" Diamonds). Diamonds are colour graded according to the amount of colour saturation present in the Diamond and are ranked according to The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Colour Grade Scale. The scale begins at colourless (D) and ends at light yellow or light brown (Z). Diamonds which are yellow or brown in colour and having a Colour Grade beyond Z are (identified and) graded as Fancy Coloured. Diamonds of other colours are identified and graded as Fancy Coloured once the Colour Grade has surpassed F.


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Clarity
The presence or absence of inclusions and/or blemishes on the surface of the Diamond determines the Diamond’s Clarity Grade. Diamonds with the fewest number of inclusions and /or blemishes are rarer, making them more valuable.A Diamond is clarity graded under ten power(10X) magnification and is assigned a grade based on the Gemological Institute of America Clarity Grading scale. The Clarity scale is as follows: IF (Internally Flawless)

A Diamond that has no inclusion but has minor surface blemishes that can be easily removed through polishing when examined by a qualified gemologist under 10X magnification. VVS1-VVS2 (Very, Very Small Inclusions) A Diamond that has inclusions and/or surface blemishes, that is very difficult to locate, when examined by a qualified gemologist under 10X magnification. VS1-VS2 (Very Small Inclusions) A Diamond that has inclusions and/or surface blemishes, that is difficult to locate, when examined by a qualified gemologist under 10X magnification. SI1-SI2 (Small Inclusions)

A Diamond that has inclusions and/or surface blemishes that is easy to locate, when examined by a qualified gemologist under 10X magnification. I1-I2-I3 (Large Inclusions)

A Diamond that has inclusions and/or surface blemishes that is easy to locate, when examined with the unaided eye of a qualified gemologist .


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Cut
A Diamond is cut and shaped with a series of facets. The Cut Grade is a measure of the proportions of the Diamond and how closely it follows Tolkowsky’s standards. The Diamond Cut Grades are as follows: “Ideal”: Diamonds cut to "ideal" proportions, used only for Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds. Very Good: Diamonds cut just outside of "ideal" proportions. Good: Diamonds cut noticeably outside "ideal" proportions but above average. Medium Good: Diamonds cut to average proportions. Medium: Diamonds cut to just outside “average” proportions Medium Fair: Diamonds cut to somewhat outside “average” proportions and noticeable cutting flaws. Fair: Diamonds cut outside average proportions with noticeably cutting flaws to the untrained eye. Poor: Diamonds cut well outside “average” proportions with noticeable cutting irregularities to the untrained eye.

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Shapes

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