Skip to primary navigationSkip to main contentSkip to footer
  • AccountToggle My Account Menu
    Forgot Password?

    Don't have an account? Sign up now

  • My CartToggle My Shopping Cart
James Gattas Jewelers
  • My Wish ListToggle My Wishlist
  • Bridal
    • Bridal Jewelry
      • Engagement Rings
      • Women's Wedding Bands
      • Anniversary Rings
      • Men's Wedding Bands
    • Start With The Setting
    • Start With The Diamond
    • Loose Diamond Search
    • Diamond Education
  • Jewelry
    • Bridal
        Engagement RingsWomen's Wedding BandsMens Wedding Bands
    • Rings
        Diamond Fashion RingsGemstone RingsStackable RingsPrecious Metal Rings
    • Necklaces and Pendants
        Diamond Necklaces and PendantsSilver Necklaces and PendantsGemstone Necklaces and PendantsPrecious Metal Necklaces and PendantsFamily NecklacesInfinity Necklaces
    • Chains
        Link ChainsChain NecklacesChain Bracelets
    • Earrings
        Diamond EarringsGemstone EarringsPrecious Metal EarringsEarring JacketsHoop EarringsDiamond Stud Earrings
    • Bracelets
        Diamond BraceletsGemstone BraceletsPrecious Metal BraceletsTennis BraceletsInfinity BraceletsBangle BraceletsBolo Bracelets
    • Custom
        Custom Engagement RingsCustom Fashion JewelryCustom EarringsCustom Pendants
    • Pearls
        Pearl RingsPearl EarringsPearl Necklaces and PendantsPearl BraceletsClasps
    • Men's Jewelry
        Men's RingsMen's BraceletsMen's Necklaces and PendantsMen's Earrings
    • Sets
        Bridal SetsGift Sets
    • Charms and Charm Bracelets
        Single CharmsCharm Bracelets
    • Anklets
    • Cufflinks
  • Collections
    • Berco
    • Bridal Bells
    • Charles Garnier Paris
    • Chatham
    • Citizen
    • Gems One
    • Imperial Pearls
    • Jewelry Innovations
    • Lafonn Jewelry
    • Leslie's
    • Master IJO Jeweler
    • Midas
    • Movado
    • Overnight
    • Patterson's Designs
    • Phillip Gavriel
    • Rembrandt Charms
    • Rhythm of Love
    • Royal Chain
    • Stuller Wedding Bands
    • Unique Settings
  • Custom
  • Education
    • Jewelry Education
    • Diamond Education
      • The Four Cs of Diamonds
      • Diamond Buying Tips
    • Choosing The Right Setting
    • Learn About Gemstones
      • Birthstone Guide
      • Gemstone Guide
    • Precious Metals
    • Jewelry Care
      • Caring for Fine Jewelry
      • Diamond Cleaning
      • Gemstone Cleaning
    • Anniversary Guide
    • Gold Buying Guide
  • Our Store
    • About Us
    • Services
    • Your Master IJO Jeweler
    • Create a Wish List
    • Gold Buying Guide
    • Testimonials
    • Our Blog
  • Contact
  1. Home
  2. The 4Cs of Diamonds

The 4Cs of Diamonds

0.25 Carat

4.1 mm

0.50 Carat

5.0 mm

0.75 Carat

5.8 mm

1.00 Carat

6.5 mm

1.50 Carat

7.4 mm

2.00 Carat

8.2 mm

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 Patterson's Diamond Center 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.


Too Shallow

Ideal Cut

Too Deep

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.


D

E-F

G-J

K-M

N-R

S-Z

The Color

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.

D - Colorless
E-F - Colorless
G-J - Near Colorless
K-M - Faint Yellow
N-R - Very Light Yellow
S-Z - Light Yellow

After 'Z' on the color scale, diamonds become fancy yellow, which cost more because of their rarity.


F-IF

VVS1-VVS2

VS1-VS2

SI1-SI2

I1

I2-I3

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.

F - No inclusions or blemishes are visible to a skilled grader.
IF - No inclusions and only blemishes are visible to a skilled grader.
VVS1-VVS2 - Inclusions are difficult for a skilled grader to see.
VS1-VS2 - Inclusions are clearly visible but can be characterized as minor.
SI1-SI2 - Inclusions are noticeable to a skilled grader.
I1-I3 - Inclusions are obvious and may affect transparency and brilliance.

*All diamonds are viewed through a 10x magnification lens by diamond graders.

Patterson's in Mankato
1031 Madison Ave
Mankato, MN 56001
(507) 625-1625
Store Information
Hours
Mon - Wed:9:00am - 5:00pm
Thursday:9:00am - 6:00pm
Friday:9:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday:9:00am - 3:00pm
Sunday:Closed
Patterson's in New Ulm
117 N. Minnesota St.
New Ulm, MN 56073
(507) 354-2613
Store Information
Hours
Monday:9:00am - 6:00pm
Tues - Wed:9:00am - 5:00pm
Thursday:9:00am - 6:00pm
Friday:9:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday:9:00am - 3:00pm
Sunday:Closed
Jewelry
  • Design a Ring Online
  • Custom Jewelry Design
  • Search for Diamonds
  • The Four Cs of Diamonds
  • Jewelry Education
  • Diamonds from Antwerp
  • Our Store Services
  • Master IJO Jeweler
  • Privacy Policy
  • Blog
Education
  • Jewelry Education
  • The Four Cs of Diamonds
  • Diamond Buying Tips
  • Choosing the Ring
  • Birthstone Guide
  • Gemstone Guide
  • Precious Metals
  • Caring for Fine Jewelry
  • Diamond Cleaning
  • Gemstone Cleaning
  • Anniversary Guide
  • Gold Buying Guide

© 2025 Patterson's Diamond Center. All Rights Reserved. Website designed, maintained, and hosted by Punchmark. Accessibility Statement.

Learn how we use cookies in our Privacy Policy or manage cookie preferences.