The 4Cs of Diamonds

Choosing a diamond is a deeply personal and meaningful decision one that marks life’s most important moments. At Appleby Jewellers, we combine decades of expertise with a commitment to excellence, guiding you every step of the way. This guide will help you understand the key elements of diamond quality so you can select a piece that’s truly exceptional.

Every diamond is unique, but jewellers use four universal measures to assess their quality: Cut, Colour, Clarity, and Carat.

Diamond Cut

Making Light Dance

Of the 4Cs, we say the cut is the most crucial when it comes to a diamond’s sparkle. It’s the cut that determines how well a diamond reflects light, creating that unmistakable sparkle and fire.

A well-cut diamond reflects light beautifully — creating brilliance (white light), fire (rainbow flashes), and scintillation (the sparkle as it moves). Even a high-carat diamond can appear dull if poorly cut.

Applebys Jewellers use the most skilled and experienced diamond expert cutters in the world to bring out the diamond's sparkle. Every facet of an Appleby diamond is carefully angled to maximise brilliance, allowing light to travel through the stone and reflect back with dazzling intensity.

Diamond Colour

A whiter shade of pale

The GIA grades diamond colour from D (colourless, rare, and most valuable) to Z (light yellow or brown). Colourless and near-colourless diamonds (D–H) are prized for their purity and beauty.

At Appleby Jewellers, we select only the top tiers of the colour scale, ensuring each diamond appears bright, white, and full of life. Even subtle differences in colour can influence a diamond’s sparkle and value.

Diamond Clarity

Clarity measures the presence of natural inclusions within the stone. We focus on eye-clean diamonds, meaning any tiny inclusions are invisible to the naked eye.
Most Appleby diamonds fall in the VS1–SI1 range, striking the perfect balance between purity and value. If a diamond looks flawless to the eye, don’t overpay for a higher clarity grade that doesn’t visibly enhance it.

Diamond Carat

Carat refers to the weight of a diamond, not its size — and it’s only one part of a diamond’s overall beauty.

Carat refers to weight, not size. A well-cut 1.00ct diamond can appear larger and more brilliant than a poorly cut diamond of greater carat weight. Balance between carat and cut is key.

As diamond size increases, so does its rarity and value. Larger diamonds are found far less frequently in nature, making them significantly more rare — and therefore more precious. A one-carat diamond is not simply twice the value of a half-carat; its worth increases exponentially.

GIA Certified Natural Diamonds

At Appleby Jewellers, we believe in complete transparency and trust. That’s why we offer GIA-certified diamonds graded by the Gemological Institute of America, the world’s most respected authority in diamond evaluation. A GIA certificate provides an independent, internationally recognised assessment of a diamond’s cut, colour, clarity, and carat weight, ensuring you know exactly what you’re buying.

Every GIA-certified diamond is laser-inscribed with a unique number and comes with a detailed report, giving you confidence in both the quality and the provenance of your stone. When you choose a GIA-certified Appleby diamond, you’re choosing excellence with integrity.

Engagement Ring FAQs

How Much Should I Spend On A Diamond Engagement Ring? What Diamond Shape Sparkles the Most? Should I insure my ring? We understand there are so many questions!

In this ultimate guide, we share our expertise, from diamond shapes to precious metals, so you can explore your options, feel inspired, and discover the ring that is truly right for you.

Read The Guide