Skip to main content
  • Events
  • Education
  • About
  • Contact
  • Log In
  • Wishlist
  • Shopping Bag
Blue Water Jewelers logo
(0)
  • Diamonds & Engagement
    Engagement Rings
    Shop all Engagement RingsGabriel BridalDesign Your Own RingLooking for Something Custom?
    Shop by Designer
    SylvieGabriel & CoBlue Water DesignsForevermark
    Wedding Bands
    Shop All Wedding Bands
    Loose Diamonds
    Shop for Your Perfect DiamondForevermark DiamondsAntwerp Diamonds
    Financing
    Financing Options

    Explore All Diamonds & Engagement
  • Designers
    A. JaffeA. LinkAlameaCrown Ring
    De Beers ForevermarkElle JewelryExclivGabriel & Co
    MFITMidasOrisRoman + Jules
    Shy CreationSylvieTi Sento - Milano

    Designers
  • Jewelry
    ORIS Watches
    ORIS
    Custom JewelryWedding Bands
    Rings
    Women's Diamond Fashion RingsPearl RingsWomen's Gold Fashion RingsSilver RingColored Stone RingsSilicone RingsStainless Steel Jewelry
    Earrings
    Diamond Stud EarringsDiamond EarringsColored Stone EarringsPearl EarringsGold EarringsSilver EarringsCostume Earrings
    Bracelets
    Diamond BraceletsCostume BraceletsGold BraceletsSilver BraceletsColored Stone Bracelets
    Necklaces
    Popular ChainsDiamond NecklacesCostume Pendants/NecklacesColored Stone NecklacePearl NecklaceSilver ChainsSilver CharmsGold Pendants / CharmsDiamond PendantsColored Stone PendantsPearl PendantsSilver Pendants/Necklaces

    Jewelry
  • Wedding Bands
  • Oris Watches
  • Sale
  • Gift Ideas
    Gift Ideas
    Giftware & Collectables Gift Cards
    Gifts by Price
    Gifts Under $100 Gifts From $100-$500Gifts Over $500
    Gifts by Designer
    John HardyElle JewelryShy Creation

    Explore All Gift Ideas
  • About Us
    About Blue Water
    Our ServicesMeet The TeamFinancingReviews & TestimonialsCustom Jewelry DesignReturns and Exchanges
    Our Social Media
    Our Social Media
    Our Blog
    Our Blog

    Explore All About Us
Location
My Cart (0)
Checkout
Log In
Call Us
  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 Blue Water Jewelers 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 Blue Water Jewelers and is typically not recommended.

Excellent
Very Good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not carried by Blue Water Jewelers

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

Blue Water Jewelers
Anastasia Island
500 Anastasia Blvd.
Saint Augustine, FL 32080
(904) 829-5855
Store Information
Mon - Fri:10:00am - 6:00pm
Saturday:9:30am - 5:00pm
Sunday:Closed
Private Appointments:Call for Private After Hour Appointments
Information
  • Montage Jewelry Care Program
  • Wells Fargo Financing
  • First Responder & Military Discount
  • Lifetime Upgrade
  • Price Match Guarantee
Jewelry
  • ORIS Watches
  • Custom Jewelry
  • Wedding Bands
  • Rings
  • Earrings
  • Bracelets
  • Necklaces
  • St. Augustine Jewelry
  • Colored Stones - Loose
  • Financing
About Us
  • Our Store
  • Meet the Team
  • Financing
  • Our Services
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
Follow Us
  • Independent Jewelers Organization
  • Gemological Institute of America
  • Retail Jewelers Organization

© 2023 Blue Water Jewelers. All Rights Reserved. Website designed, maintained, and hosted by Punchmark. Accessibility Statement.