The 4 c's

All diamonds are precious, but the most valuable are those combining the highest qualities of carat, clarity, cut, and color – the four C's. We will help you make an informed decision about which combination of the four C's makes a diamond just right for you.

Carat
A diamond's weight is measured in carats. There are five carats in a gram, and 100 points in each carat. For example, a 50-point diamond is the same as a half-carat. In general, larger diamonds are more rare and valuable. But size does not determine a diamond's beauty, brilliance and fire. Two stones of the same carat weight can have very different values, depending on their cut, color and clarity.

Images may not reflect actual carat size, which may vary with your browser and computer display size.

Clarity
The more clear a diamond is, the more rare it is. Most diamonds contain natural 'inclusions' that look like tiny crystals. These are the diamond's birthmarks, making each stone unique. The number, size and position of these inclusions affects the value. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) clarity scale ranges from Fl (flawless) to I3 (many inclusions visible to the naked eye).

Colour
Diamonds are graded on the GIA color scale from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow). At either end of the scale, diamonds are very costly because of their rarity, although not necessarily their beauty. At NUVO, you can choose from a wide range of diamond colors.

Cut
Nothing is more important to the brilliance and fire of a diamond than its cut. A well proportioned diamond reflects light from one facet to another and through the top of the stone. If the pavilion angle is cut too deep, your diamond will look dark. If it is too shallow, your diamond will look watery.