When purchasing a diamond, you'll hear mention of the 4Cs. This method of evaluating stones relies on four factors: cut, color, clarity and carat size. Nature dictates the qualitative characteristics color, clarity and carat. It is the cut of a diamond that is the only factor crafted by the human hand.

Diamonds are alive, just because two diamonds look the same "on paper" does not mean they actually look the same: a diamond cannot be evaluated by the 4Cs alone.

A diamond is a single element of pure or nearly pure carbon. It is the purest of all the earth's gem minerals.

A well-cut diamond, regardless of its shape determines the fire and brilliance of the diamond. The hands of a skilled craftsman release its fire, sparkle and beauty. If a diamond is cut to perfect proportions - light will reflect and refract, making it seem to radiate from within.

Diamonds are graded on a color scale of D through Z, based on the degree to which the diamond approaches colorlessness. While many diamonds may appear transparent to an untrained eye, the majority of stones contain slight tints of color. Salvatore and Company can demonstrate the different grades of diamonds by showing stones side-by-side.

By rare accidents of nature, diamonds may occur in colors which are called Fancies. Fancy colored diamonds are much sought after because of their extreme rarity, particularly yellows, pinks and blues. Their quality is judged by the intensity of the hue, and unlike white diamonds, the more color the rarer the stone.

Clarity refers to the number of imperfections, or inclusions that exist within a diamond. Virtually all diamonds contain identifying characteristics or birthmarks, most of them too small to see with the naked eye. These so called "inclusions", when viewed under magnification may look like feathers, clouds or crystals. Diamonds with the fewest inclusions possess the highest clarity and are the most valuable. In general, the greater the number and size of inclusions the lower the clarity grade and less rare the diamond.

Grade	Clarity Grading Scale
FL - IF	Infernally Flawless
V VS1 | V VS2	Very Very Slight inclusions
VS1 | VS2	Very Slight inclusions
SI1 | SI2	Slight inclusions
I1 | I2 | I3	Imperfect

Carat weight is the standard measure of a diamond's size. Each carat is equal to 100 points. Thus, a 0.50-carat diamond is the same as a 50-point or ½ carat stone. Diamonds of equal carat weight may vary greatly in brilliance depending on their symmetry and cut, so carat weight alone cannot determine a diamonds worth.

The combined carat weight of a grouping of several smaller stones is not as valuable as a single stone of the same carat weight.

Note: Carat is a measurement of WEIGHT, not SIZE and so the overall diameter (mm) could differ slightly larger or smaller even though the carat weight is correct.

		Round Brilliant - The round brilliant is the modern version of the round. By far the most popular shape and has the best facets and angles for maximum brilliance.
		Oval - Popular for three stone anniversary rings, with two matching diamonds on the sides.
		Princess - A square cut diamond that has refractive properties almost near round brilliant.
		Emerald - A more traditional shape, exuding old world elegance.
		Radiant - The radiant has more facets than a princess, but has the corners trimmed like the emerald shape.
		Heart - A heart shape diamond has sentimental purpose and meaning.
		Marquise - A traditional shape.
		Pear - Shaped in a tear drop and has good proportions to refract light.