Diamond Buying Guide: Types, 4Cs and Shapes

Whether you’re an avid collector, preparing to propose or purchasing your first fine jewelry piece, knowing how to buy a diamond will help you choose the best and brightest. Our diamond guide covers everything from the all-important 4Cs (cut, color, clarity and carat) to common questions about the coveted stones. Learn what you need to know in our diamond buying guide, then browse Belk’s selection of dazzling rings and other fine jewelry.

The Diamond 4Cs

When it comes to the diamond industry, there are 4 “C”s that help determine a stone’s value—cut, color, clarity and carat. But they’re more than a casual way of describing a diamond’s best qualities. They were developed by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in the 1940s and 50s as a way of categorizing and communicating the quality of these stones. Since then, the diamond 4Cs have become the international standard for grading diamonds, giving us a consistent grading scale that comes in handy when shopping for fine jewelry.

Diamond Cut

Cut describes the proportions of the facets on a diamond, or how nicely the stone has been shaped. Ultimately, diamond cut determines the brilliance of a stone. Cut is graded from Excellent (maximum brilliance) to Poor (reflecting little light). A beautifully shaped diamond with balanced proportions means lots of sparkle and shine.

Diamond Clarity

Diamond clarity considers the internal and external flaws of a stone. This includes internal inclusions and external blemishes, essentially features that make a diamond less perfect. Diamonds are graded from Flawless (extremely pure, with no blemishes visible even under 10x magnification) to Included (blemishes that can be seen by the naked eye). Diamonds with higher clarity are purer and more expensive. Luckily, many diamonds will only show their imperfections under a microscope.

Diamond Color

The next C is color, which actually considers how colorless a diamond is. The traditional color of a diamond ranges from completely colorless to pale yellow. The diamond color scale goes from D (completely colorless) to Z (light yellow). The less color, the rarer and typically more expensive, the diamond. You’ll also find unique diamonds in hues like pink, yellow and even black.

Diamond Carat

The carat of a diamond is a measure of the stone’s weight—not its size, as some think. A single carat is equal to 200 milligrams. Because larger natural diamonds are less common, price increases exponentially as the carat increases. This is where you can start to imagine how balancing the 4Cs can give you a gorgeous stone with plenty of sparkle that still fits your budget.

Diamond Shape

Shape isn’t one of the diamond 4Cs, but it still plays a role in the look of a stone and its overall appearance when set in a ring or other piece of jewelry. You’ll find diamond shapes of all kinds as you shop, from classic round diamonds to pear, oval and even heart-shaped stones.

Lab-Created Diamonds

While the 4Cs are important qualities to consider when buying a diamond, you should also consider the origin of your stone. Lab-made diamonds are an excellent alternative to mined diamonds. Apart from their source, the two are essentially the same both chemically and physically. Lab-created diamonds offer the same sparkle and beauty as natural diamonds. Even better, they’re less expensive and more environmentally friendly. If budget is a main factor in your shopping decision, consider going with a lab-made diamond.

Types of Diamond Rings

There are so many types of diamond rings, from ethereal engagement rings to sleek wedding bands and bridal sets. Sometimes it’s hard to know what you want until you see it. Whatever style of diamond ring you’re dreaming of, you’ll find it at Belk. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular types of diamond rings that will add sparkle and shine to every outfit.

Engagement Rings

Diamond engagement rings bring big-time brilliance to ring fingers. Drop some hints about your preferences or browse Belk’s selection of diamond engagement rings together to find a style that speaks to you. Not sure what type of engagement ring is the right one? Bring it back to the 4Cs when you think about the stone itself, but also consider the rest of the engagement ring, from the band and setting to the metal. If you wear mostly silver jewelry, for example, a sterling silver or white gold band will complement the rest of your accessories. You could also add color with a mixed metal ring or other precious stones like emeralds.

Anniversary Rings

Traditionally, the 60th and/or 75th anniversary gift is the diamond—but we say any occasion is a good occasion to shine. Celebrate your anniversary in style with a dazzling diamond anniversary ring. From modern two-piece ring sets to vintage-inspired designs, there’s a type of ring for everyone.

Bridal Ring Sets

Bridal set rings are a great way to create a cohesive look from your engagement to your wedding day and beyond. These bridal sets consist of an engagement ring and a wedding band. You’ll find all types of bridal set rings at Belk, from simple but stunning bands to diamond-encrusted sparklers sure to catch the light in any room.

Wedding Bands

A classic diamond wedding band brings romance and shine to an unforgettable day. Whether you keep things simple with smaller stones set in an elegant band or go for a ring that makes a sparkling statement, we have the perfect piece for you in our selection of diamond wedding bands. You’ll find styles for both women and men, making it simple to pick out a matching or complementary pair.

Diamond Buying FAQs

Once you have a clear understanding of what to look for in a diamond, you’re all set to add something stunning to your collection. Here are a few final diamond FAQs that can help you pick out the perfect piece.

What is a diamond?

Known for their unparalleled hardness and brilliance, diamonds are coveted gemstones that form under high pressure deep in the earth over billions of years. Today, they can also be made in a lab. These stones are cut, polished and crafted into gorgeous jewelry like earrings, necklaces and engagement rings. Who can resist a little sparkle?

How is a diamond measured?

Diamonds are graded according to the 4Cs (color, cut, clarity and carat). This gives an overall understanding of the quality of a stone. Diamonds are measured by weight in carats.

What carat diamond is best?

The “best” diamond is the one that fits your unique style. A delicate .5-carat diamond might fit a petite ring finger much better than a larger stone. On the other hand, 2-carat diamonds and even larger stones are sure to make a statement.

What grade diamond is the best?

Diamonds with the highest grade in each of the 4Cs are technically the best, but these stones are quite rare—and they have the price tag to match. When shopping for a diamond, keep in mind that the right stone will be a good balance of the 4Cs while also fitting your budget.

Which of the 4Cs of diamonds is the most important?

Diamond cut is generally thought of as the most important quality out of the 4Cs because it determines the brilliance of the stone. If you want a real sparkler, cut is crucial.

How do the 4Cs affect a diamond’s price?

Just as the 4Cs impact the quality of a diamond, they also impact the price. Higher grades in each category typically mean a more expensive stone. That being said, many of the imperfections that the 4Cs consider are totally invisible to the naked eye. This means you can bring home a gorgeous diamond at the right price point with no visible imperfections.