The Four C's

One of the most wonderful facts about diamonds is that no two are ever alike. Even though they may sometimes look identical, all diamonds have slight variations either in cut, clarity, color, or carat weight. These four characteristics are known as the Four C's they are what determine the quality and value of every diamond.

Cut

Forget what you've heard about size: The lively Gabrielle Diamond® is proof positive that the cut is more important. Giving a diamond its fiery sparkle, the cut is what separates a dull, listless diamond from a lively, brilliant gem. The facets (polished surfaces) of the diamond refract and reflect the light back out through the top. The number of facets and their proper alignment can exponentially increase the gem's brilliance. Although the standard brilliant cut offers only 58 facets, the Gabrielle Diamond's® patented diamond cut has given the world its most dazzling gem to date--a diamond with 105 eye-catching, light-reflecting facets that's available in all seven of today's most popular shapes (except the carré and the emerald shapes, which feature 81 facets each).

Color

Color (except in fancy colored diamonds) actually refers to the diamonds lack of color. White diamonds are graded on a scale that starts with "D", indicating a colorlessness and then going down the alphabet to the lesser grades. You can see the difference by asking your jeweler to show you several diamonds in different colors, for instance one "F", one "H" and one "L," and then comparing for yourself. Some smart shoppers test the whiteness of loose diamonds by placing them upside down on a white sheet of paper. Gabrielle Diamonds® come in color grades D through J, as well as in all fancy colors.

Clarity

This C refers to a diamond's lack of inclusions. Because diamonds are formed by nature, most do contain some inclusions, but many are microscopic and can be glimpsed only under powerful magnification. It is the lack of these inclusions that influences the price. From flawless on down, Gabrielle Diamonds® are available in all clarity grades to help the shopper find a ring that conforms to their dreams as well as to their budget.

Carat

The final C, carat, refers to the carat weight of the diamond and, contrary to popular belief, not to its size. A one-carat diamond weighs .02 grams. Jewelers, however, refer to diamonds using carats and points (percentage of a carat): 100 points equals one carat, 50 points a half-carat, 75 points is three quarters, etc. Make sure that you get your diamond's carat weight in decimal points (e.g. 1.49-carats) as opposed to fractions (e.g. 11/2 carats), so that you know the exact figure your diamond registers on the carat scale. Also, keep in mind that because of its singular halo effect, the Gabrielle Diamond® will actually look bigger and will be visible from greater distances than a regular well-cut diamond of the same size. No matter what your diamond needs, Gabrielle Diamonds® can fill any order, from a .25-carat diamond to 10-carats and beyond.