Before we get into it, I just want to highlight what we believe at Víya: transparency and education.
We believe this approach makes our clients' experience with us not only unique, but effortless.
The 4Cs Through the Viya Filter: Understanding Diamond Quality
There’s a wealth of information about diamonds and their characteristics on GIA’s website . For those unfamiliar, GIA (Gemological Institute of America) is a third-party gemstone grading institution regarded as a leading authority in classifying gemstones, including diamonds. They essentially certify gemstones and grade them based on their characteristics. Fun fact: we did our coursework and certification through them!
When it comes to diamonds—whether natural or lab-grown—their characteristics boil down to something called the “4Cs.”
This stands for Color, Carat, Clarity, and Cut.
The 4Cs are widely used in the industry to not only describe a diamond’s qualities but also determine its value and compare it to other similar stones. Generally, the higher the Color, Clarity, Cut, and Carat weight, the rarer and more valuable the diamond, which directly affects its cost.
Color refers to the grading of a diamond’s whiteness, or lack of color. The scale starts at “D” (completely colorless) and continues to “Z” (noticeably tinted). Diamonds in the “D-E-F” range are considered colorless, while those graded “G-H-I” are near colorless. The closer a diamond is to the “D” end of the scale, the rarer and more valuable it is. For engagement rings, we generally recommend diamonds graded “I” or higher to ensure their brilliance and timeless appeal.
Carat is likely the most familiar term our clients encounter when searching for their perfect diamond. Simply put, carat is a unit of measurement used to weigh gemstones and diamonds. When diamonds are crafted from rough to polished stones, cutters use templates with specific parameters to create consistent shapes and sizes. In theory, this should result in consistent carat weights, but in reality, discrepancies occur.
At Víya, we don’t overemphasize carat weight. Heavier diamonds with poor cuts can appear smaller than lighter diamonds with excellent cuts. That’s why we meticulously inspect each stone to ensure we choose the best options for our clients.
Clarity measures the size and number of inclusions (natural imperfections) within a diamond. Fewer inclusions result in a higher clarity grade. The clarity scale ranges from Flawless (the highest) to I3 (the lowest). At Víya, we prioritize diamonds with a clarity grade of VS2 or higher, as inclusions at this level are minimal and nearly impossible to detect with the naked eye.
Cut is an aspect we care deeply about. Contrary to popular belief, “cut” doesn’t refer to a diamond’s shape—it refers to how well the stone has been crafted, polished, and proportioned. Diamonds are cut by hand—yes, by hand—one at a time, which naturally leads to slight variations. These discrepancies are judged against specific parameters, which greatly affect the diamond’s brilliance and sparkle. Cut grades range from “Excellent” to “Poor.” At Víya, we select only diamonds graded “Excellent” or “Very Good” to ensure optimal quality.
There’s always more to a diamond than meets the eye. While GIA does an excellent job grading diamonds, sometimes the numbers alone can be misleading. Choosing a diamond based solely on its certificate can result in a stone that’s less visually appealing. At Víya, we have strict baselines for quality, but we also physically examine each stone to identify any flaws not noted on the certificate. By combining this thorough inspection with our expertise, we ensure we curate the most beautiful stones for our clients, crafting heirloom pieces that are as meaningful as they are stunning.
- Manav Vaghashiya