The Four Cs | How to evaluate a diamond

The four Cs

How to evaluate a diamond

carat, cut, clarity and color.

The four Cs

The four Cs are a common language for jewelers all over the world. Each diamond is evaluated by carat, cut, clarity, and color, and together they determine the stone's appearance and value. None of them tell the whole story on their own.

1. Carat (weight)

Carat (ct) is the unit of measurement for the weight of a diamond. 1 carat is equivalent to approx. 0.2 grams and is divided into 100 points, so a 0.50 ct diamond is often called a "fifty-pointer".

But weight is not the same as size. A good cut can make a diamond look larger than a heavier stone that is poorly cut.

2. Cut (slip)

The cut is the only one of the four Cs that is shaped by human hands. It concerns the diamond's proportions, symmetry, and polish – and how well the stone captures light.

In a well-cut diamond, light enters through the top, reflects off the facets at the bottom, and is sent back toward the eye. This is what provides brilliance, fire, and sparkle. If the stone is cut too deep or too shallow, light leaks out through the bottom, and the diamond appears duller.

The cut is graded on a five-point scale:

3. Clarity

Almost all diamonds have small, natural inclusions from when they were formed deep within the earth millions of years ago. You can think of them as the stone's own fingerprint – no two diamonds are alike.

Clarity is graded using a 10× loupe, based on the size, number, and location of the inclusions. In most grades, they are completely invisible to the naked eye.

4. Color

Color is graded on a scale from D to Z – from icy white to warm, golden shades. In the Nordic countries, specific names are also used for the grades, which you will often see in stores and on certificates.

The whitest stones are the rarest and most expensive. At the same time, a warmer tone can be beautiful, especially when set in yellow or rose gold, where the metal provides a warm hue anyway.

How Arven selects diamonds

At Arven, the selection of diamonds is based on long-term perspective, trust, and responsibility. We have worked closely with our diamond supplier for over 60 years—a partnership built on knowledge, transparency, and shared requirements for quality and ethical standards.

All our diamonds are carefully selected with regard to quality, origin, and responsible conditions. For diamonds over 0.30 carats, an internationally recognized GIA diamond certificate is included, documenting the diamond's characteristics. For diamonds under 0.30 carats, Arven issues its own diamond certificate, based on our professional assessment of quality.

At Arven, you can always be confident that our diamonds are chosen with respect for the craftsmanship, the material, and the people behind them. Quality, origin, and ethical standards are a natural part of every single piece of jewelry we create.

Handmade by Arven