Skip to main content
  • About
    • About Us
    • IJO Master Jeweler
    • Create A Wish List
    • Preferred Warranty
    • Special Financing
    • Jewelry Repairs
    • Apply to P.K. Bennett
    • Jewelry Appraisals
  • Education
    • Jewelry Education
    • Diamond Education
      • The Four Cs of Diamonds
      • Diamond Buying Tips
    • Choosing the Ring
    • Learn About Gemstones
      • Birthstone Guide
      • Gemstone Guide
    • Precious Metals
    • Jewelry Care
      • Caring for Fine Jewelry
      • Diamond Cleaning
      • Gemstone Cleaning
    • Anniversary Guide
    • Gold Buying Guide
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Our Newsletter
    • Latest Videos
    • Our Blog
  • Contact
  • Search
  • My Account
  • Shopping Cart
PK Bennett Jewelers
  • Engagement
    Choose your Style
    Solitaire Side-Stone Three Stone Halo Pave Antique Single Row Multi Row Bypass
    Solitaire Side-Stone Three Stone Halo Pave
    Vintage Single Row Multi Row Bypass
    Engagement Rings
    Start with the SettingStart with the DiamondShop Designer Rings
    Engagement Education
    Choosing the Right RingThe Four Cs of DiamondsDiamond Buying TipsCaring for Diamond Jewelry
    Designer Engagement Rings
    Designer Engagement Rings

    Engagement
  • Diamonds
    Search Diamonds
    Round Princess Emerald Asscher Radiant
    Cushion Oval Pear Marquise Heart
    Engagement Rings
    Start with the SettingStart with the DiamondShop Diamond Jewelry
    Diamond Education
    The Four Cs of DiamondsDiamond Buying TipsCaring for Diamond Jewelry
    Diamonds from Antwerp
    Diamonds from Antwerp

    Diamonds
  • Brands
    BulovaCarla Corporation
    Ed LevinMidas
    Nancy BT. Jazelle
    William Henry Studio

    Brands
  • Showcase
    Rings
    Men's Diamond Fashion RingsDiamond Engagement RingsWomen's Diamond Fashion RingsWomen's Gold Fashion RingsDiamond Semi-mount RingsWomen's Colored Stone RingsSilver RingsEngagement RingsHalo Engagement RingsSolitaire Engagement RingsThree Stone Engagement RingsStackable RingsSemi-mount Engagement RingsGold Fashion RingsCouples RingsToe RingsFashion RingsEternity Bands
    Wedding Bands
    Men's Gold Wedding BandsDiamond Anniversary RingsWomen's Diamond Wedding BandsWomen's Gold Wedding BandsAlternative Metal Wedding Rings
    Earrings
    Diamond EarringsColored Stone EarringsPearl EarringsGold EarringsSilver EarringsHoop Earrings
    Men's Jewelry
    Knives Tie BarsCufflinksMoney Clips
    Necklaces
    Diamond NecklacesDiamond PendantsColored Stone Necklaces/ChainsPearl Necklaces
    Pendants
    Color Stone Pendants/CharmsGold Pendants/CharmsSilver Pendants/CharmsGold Pendants
    Bracelets
    Diamond BraceletsColored Stone BraceletsPearl BraceletsGold BraceletsSilver BraceletsAlternative Metal BraceletsBangle Bracelets
    Watches
    Women's WatchesMen's Watches
    Charm BraceletsGemstone Fashion Rings

    Showcase
  • Custom
  • (847) 680-4450
  1. Home
  2. Education
  3. Diamonds

Learn About Diamonds

The Four Cs of Diamonds

Our Four C's of Diamonds guide can help you decide on the most important factors when shopping for a diamond.

  • Carat
  • Cut
  • Color
  • Clarity

The Carat Weight

The word carat derives from the word carob, a Mediterranean seed, which has an extremely consistent weight for measuring. The greater the carat weight, the rarer, and more valuable the diamond becomes. Five metric carats weighs exactly 1 gram.

Some people want the largest diamond possible. If size is a priority, we at P.K. Bennett Jewelers can help you classify the proper cut, color and clarity to fit your budget economically, and fit your jewelry beautifully. Many of our engagement rings can fit diamonds up to 5.00 carats, but each ring has different size constraints based on its size and the type of setting. Prong settings can be manipulated to fit virtually any size diamond, but tension-set diamonds and bezel set diamonds have more limitations on size.

The Cut

The true definition of cut is the quality of the proportions and symmetry of the diamond. Your diamond's proportions make a vast difference on how brightly your diamond shines. An 'ideal cut' diamond is one that allows the maximum amount of light to return through the top of the diamond, which takes into consideration the depth, table size, crown height and angle, girdle thickness and more. Our diamond professionals will be happy to assist you in selecting the best diamond cut.

After a rough diamond is mined, it is evaluated to determine its best possible cut, in order to maintain the maximum clarity, color, and carat weight. The term 'cut' is often confused with diamond 'shape', such as round brilliant or princess cut.

Excellent

This is the rarest cut grade and reflects the most light.

Very Good

This cut grade reflects nearly as much light as an Excellent cut grade, but for a lower price.

Good

This cut grade reflects most of the light that enters the diamond, but not as much as a Very Good cut grade.

Fair

This cut grade may appear dull or even glassy, and is very inexpensive.

Poor

This cut grade is not carried by P.K. Bennett Jewelers and is typically not recommended.

Excellent
Very Good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not carried by P.K. Bennett Jewelers

MORE DIAMONDS

The Color

Color is one of the more noticeable attributes of a diamond and has a heavy impact on the price of the stone. Diamonds range from colorless to yellow or light brown, and are sometimes found in a spectrum of fancy colors, including yellow, blue, and even red diamonds. The less color, the rarer the diamond. After 'Z' on the color scale, diamonds become fancy yellow, which cost more because of their rarity.

Z-N
M-K
Noticeable Color
J
I
H
G
Near Colorless
F
E
D
Colorless
Z-N
M-K
J
I
H
G
F
E
D
Noticeable Color
Near Colorless
Colorless

The Clarity

Diamonds are composed of mostly carbon. During the heating process, other elements become trapped inside, giving each diamond its own unique fingerprint. These inclusions help identify the clarity of your diamond. All diamonds are viewed through a 10x magnification lens by diamond graders.

Flawless

No inclusions or blemishes are visible to a skilled grader.

Internally Flawless

No inclusions and only blemishes are visible to a skilled grader.

Very Very Slightly Included

Inclusions are difficult for a skilled grader to see.

Very Slightly Included

Inclusions are clearly visible but can be characterized as minor.

Slightly Included

Inclusions are noticeable to a skilled grader.

Included

Inclusions are obvious and may affect transparency and brilliance.

FFlawless
IFInternally Flawless
VVS1
VVS2
Very Very Slightly Included
VS1
VS2
Very Slightly Included
SI1
SI2
Slightly Included
I1
I2
I3
Included

MORE DIAMONDS

Shop Loose Diamonds


P.K. Bennett Jewelers
P.K. Bennett Jewelers
742 South Butterfield Road
Mundelein, IL 60060
(847) 680-4450
Store Information
Services
  • Preferred Warranty
  • Special Financing
  • Jewelry Repairs
Information
  • About PK Bennett Jewelers
  • Shop Jewelry
  • Jewelry Education
  • Jewelry Designers
  • Client Testimonials
  • News & Events
  • Latest Videos
  • Master IJO Jeweler
  • Return Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Contact Us
Designers
  • Allison Kaufman
  • ArtCarved
  • Carla Corporation
  • Cherie Dori
  • Diadori
  • Dilamani
  • Ed Levin
  • Imperial
  • INOX
  • Lashbrook Designs
Subscribe

Sign up for Special Offers and Discounts.

Follow Us

    © 2023 P.K. Bennett Jewelers. All Rights Reserved. Website designed, maintained, and hosted by Punchmark. Accessibility Statement.