The Four Cs

For many people searching for that special diamond piece, particularly those in the market for an engagement ring, one of the first things you will probably come across in your research is the 4 C’s: colour, clarity, cut and carat.

First thought up by GIA director Robert Shipley in the 1940s, it would be yet another decade before universally agreed methods of classifying diamonds in these categories came about. A relatively modern invention in the long history of the diamond, the 4 Cs were developed in conjunction with the round brilliant cut, a cut of diamond which has the same standardised angles and facets.

1. Colour refers to the whiteness of the diamond and is measured on a scale of D-Z, D being colourless.
2. Cut refers to how the diamond interacts with light. However this factor can only be applied for modern round brilliant cuts.
3. Carat has been the universally agreed measure of weight since the 1500s, with 1 carat = 200 milligrams.
4. Clarity refers to the position, size, and visibility of any inclusions in the diamond.

In order to grade a diamond accurately it requires the diamond to be loose, or removed from its setting and sent to a lab to be assessed under specific conditions. GIA remains at the forefront of diamond grading, with their certificates providing the most fair and accurate results of all labs.

Diamond grading was invented long after many antique diamonds were set into jewellery. For most of history, diamonds have been hand-cut and faceted with age-old techniques that are no longer time or cost effective to employ, and priorities were different. Where today the focus is on getting the most yield out of one stone, in the past, it was all about achieving the most beauty.

Each diamond would be cut with its own physical characteristics in mind to get the most beautiful and dazzling result. Therefore each antique diamond is utterly unique in its own right and does not rely on the 4 C’s as a means of differentiation.

Whilst many of the diamonds in our antique pieces come with certificates, produced in retrospect as they have become the industry standard, many do not, which is common when it comes to buying antique jewellery. We do ensure that when it comes to getting our diamonds graded we use GIA, as they have the highest standards and most stringent practices when it comes to assessing each stone.

Should you be interested in a diamond from our collection without a certificate, our GIA trained in-house gemmologists can provide a professional opinion. Alternatively, visit our showroom and have a look at the diamond yourself, both under the loupe and outside in daylight. We aim to provide utmost transparency when it comes to selecting your diamond.

Enjoying your diamond every day is important, and there are several factors to consider when choosing one for yourself or a loved one.

Do you like how it sparkles? Many old cut and old mine diamonds have a far superior scintillation in the natural light settings that you would be viewing your diamond in everyday, unlike modern brilliant cuts which are designed to sparkle most under bright white lighting.

Are you drawn to the design? Each antique engagement ring and piece of jewellery would have been crafted by hand and features unique designs. This allows you to find the jewel that speaks to your personality and style. The diamond is simply part of the overall piece, and it is the jewel as a whole that you will be seeing every day.

At Berganza, we believe that selecting and presenting jewellery should be an emotive experience. We aim to guide all our customers into choosing a piece that speaks to them, or their loved one. To look down at your hand and love what you see is the most important consideration when it comes to engagement ring shopping.