If you’re shopping for diamond jewelry, you’ve probably heard about the 4 Cs—Cut, Clarity, Carat, and Color. These four characteristics determine a diamond’s beauty, quality, and price.

At Aminov Jewelry Company, we believe in empowering our customers with knowledge. Whether you’re buying an engagement ring or a pair of diamond earrings, understanding the 4 Cs will help you make a confident, informed choice.

What Are the 4 Cs of Diamonds?

Developed by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the 4 Cs are the universal standard for grading diamonds. Let’s break them down:

1. Cut — The Sparkle Factor

Cut refers to how well a diamond has been shaped and faceted. It’s the most important C—because even a flawless diamond won’t sparkle if it’s poorly cut.

  • Excellent/Ideal Cut: Reflects light perfectly, maximum brilliance

  • Very Good Cut: Near-ideal, still very brilliant

  • Good to Fair: Less brilliance, more affordable

Tip: Prioritize cut above all if you want your diamond to truly shine.

2. Clarity — The Purity of the Stone

Clarity measures the presence of internal flaws (inclusions) or surface blemishes (blemishes). Most diamonds have some, but they’re often microscopic.

  • FL to VVS (Flawless to Very Very Slight): Rare and highly valuable

  • VS to SI (Very Slight to Slightly Included): Great balance of value and beauty

  • I (Included): Inclusions are visible to the naked eye

At Aminov, we only work with diamonds that balance clarity, brilliance, and beauty—many certified by GIA or IGI.

3. Carat — The Diamond’s Weight

Carat refers to a diamond’s weight, not its size. One carat = 200 milligrams.

  • Larger carat = higher price, especially in high clarity and cut grades

  • A well-cut 1.0 ct diamond can appear bigger than a poorly cut 1.2 ct stone

Pro Tip: Consider going slightly under full-carat weights (like 0.90 ct) for better value without sacrificing visual impact.

4. Color — How White Is the Diamond?

Diamonds are graded on a scale from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown).

  • D–F: Colorless, premium range

  • G–J: Near-colorless, great value and very white to the eye

  • K–Z: Faint yellow tones, more visible in larger stones

Note: Lab-grown diamonds often offer high color grades at a more accessible price point.

How the 4 Cs Work Together

No single C is more important than the others—they work together to create the diamond’s brilliance and personality. A 1-carat diamond with excellent cut, VS clarity, and G color may sparkle more than a larger one with lower grades.

Our Diamond Promise

At Aminov Jewelry Company, we curate every diamond with care, offering both natural and lab-grown stones, fully certified and ethically sourced. Whether you’re looking for a statement pendant or a custom engagement ring, we’ll guide you through the 4 Cs to find your perfect match.

Start Your Diamond Journey with Confidence

Visit our Downtown Miami showroom or browse our certified diamond collection online at aminovs.com.
💎 Custom designs, same-day shipping, and expert service available.