Skip to main content
Rolex New Watches 2023 Discover the Collection
  • CA  |  $ CAD
    United States Canada
La Mine d'Or logo
  • Rolex
    Discover Rolex
    Rolex at La Mine d'OrThe Rolex CollectionNew Watches 2023Servicing Your RolexOur HistoryOur TeamOur ShowroomContact Us About Rolex
    Discover the Collections
    Rolex Cosmograph DaytonaRolex 1908Rolex Yacht-MasterRolex Sky-DwellerRolex GMT-Master IIRolex ExplorerRolex Oyster Perpetual
    Discover the Collections
    Rolex Day-DateRolex DatejustRolex Lady-DatejustRolex Air-KingRolex Sea-DwellerRolex Submariner
    Explore the Collection
    Explore the Collection

    Explore All Rolex
  • Bridal
    Engagement RingsDe Beers ForevermarkShop Under $5,000Diamond BandsGold Wedding BandsMen's BandsCustom DesignLoose DiamondsDiamond Education
    Shop Engagement Rings
    Shop Engagement Rings
    Shop Diamond Bands
    Shop Diamond Bands
    Shop Men's Bands
    Shop Men's Bands

    Explore All Bridal
  • Jewellery
    BraceletsBanglesEarringsNecklacesPendantsRingsMen's JewelleryAccessoriesShop Under $999Custom Design
    Shop Under $999
    Shop Under $999
    Shop Rings
    Shop Rings
    Shop Gold Jewellery
    Shop Gold Jewellery

    Explore All Jewellery
  • Designers
    La Mine d'OrDe Beers ForevermarkFOPEMikimotoGucciVahanMontblancWilliam HenryElleWolf
    Shop Fope
    Shop Fope
    Shop Mikimoto
    Shop Mikimoto
    Shop Gucci
    Shop Gucci

    Explore All Designers
  • Watches
    RolexCorumHamiltonGucciCitizenWatch Accessories
    Corum
    Corum
    Gucci
    Gucci
    Hamilton
    Hamilton

    Explore All Watches
  • EDUCATION
  • About
    About La Mine D'orLocationBlogEducationServicesFAQ'sFinancingCustom DesignMake an Appointment
    About La Mine D'or
    About La Mine D'or
    Store Services
    Store Services

    Explore All About
  • Search
  • Call Us
  • Sign Up/Sign In
  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 La Mine d'Or can help you classify the proper cut, color and clarity to fit your budget economically, and fit your jewellery 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 La Mine d'Or and is typically not recommended.

Excellent
Very Good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not carried by La Mine d'Or

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

Shop
  • Rolex
  • Bridal
  • Jewellery
  • Designers
  • Watches
La Mine d'Or
  • About Us
  • News & Events
  • Services
  • Custom Design
  • Financing
CONTACT US
  • Location
  • Make an Appointment
  • Return Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • FAQs
Our Newsletter

Subscribe for information on new products, exciting offers, and updates.

Follow Us

© 2022 La Mine d'Or. All Rights Reserved.

© 2023 La Mine d'Or. All Rights Reserved. Website designed, maintained, and hosted by Punchmark. Accessibility Statement.