Skip to main content
Puckett's Fine Jewelry logo
  • My Account
  • Wishlist
  • My Cart
  • Engagement Rings
    • Start With The Setting
    • Start With The Diamond
    • Shop Engagement Rings
    • Gabriel & Co Bridal
    • Learn About Ring Settings
    • Learn About Diamonds
  • Fine Jewelry
    • Bridal Jewelry
      • Engagement Rings & Bridal Sets
      • Diamond Wedding and Anniversary Bands
      • Plain Bands and Alternative Metal Bands
      • Silicone Bands
    • Ladies Fine Fashion Jewelry
      • Bracelets
      • Earrings
      • Necklaces
      • Rings
    • Mens Fashion Jewelry & Gift
      • Fashion Jewelry
    • Ladies Boutique Fashion Jewelry
      • Fashion Bracelets
      • Fashion Earrings
      • Fashion Necklaces
      • Fashion Rings
    • Pendants
      • Charms
      • Beads
    • Engagement Rings
    • Semi-mount Engagement Rings
    • Gemstone Rings
    • Diamond Pendants
    • Pearl Earrings
    • Chains
    • Gemstone Fashion Rings
    • Earring Jackets
    • Wedding Bands
  • Designers
    • Allison Kaufman
    • Chisel
    • Citizen
    • Elle Jewelry
    • Frank Reubel
    • Gabriel & Co
    • Galatea
    • Imperial Pearls
    • Kendra Scott
    • Overnight
    • Qalo
    • Romance Bridal
    • Stuller
    • Valina Bridal
    • Victor
  • 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
    • Repairs
    • Meet The Team
    • Testimonials
    • Make An Appointment
  • Contact
    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 Puckett's Fine Jewelry 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 Puckett's Fine Jewelry and is typically not recommended.

    Excellent
    Very Good
    Good
    Fair
    Poor
    Not carried by Puckett's Fine Jewelry

    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

    Puckett's Fine Jewelry
    1012 Main Street
    Benton, KY 42025
    (270) 527-3040
    Store Information
    Hours
    Monday:Closed
    Tuesday - Friday:10:00am - 4:00pm
    Saturday:10:00am - 2:00pm
    Sunday:Closed
    Jewelry
    • Bridal Jewelry
    • Ladies Fine Fashion Jewelry
    • Mens Fashion Jewelry & Gift
    • Ladies Boutique Fashion Jewelry
    • Pendants
    • Engagement Rings
    • Semi-mount Engagement Rings
    • Gemstone Rings
    • Diamond Pendants
    • Pearl Earrings
    • Chains
    • Gemstone Fashion Rings
    • Earring Jackets
    • Wedding Bands
    Our Store
    • About Us
    • Services
    • Repairs
    • Testimonials
    • Meet The Team
    • Custom Projects
    Newsletter Sign-Up

    © 2023 Puckett's Fine Jewelry. All Rights Reserved. Website designed, maintained, and hosted by Punchmark. Accessibility Statement.