The 4 C's - Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat of diamond quality is the universal method for assessing the quality of any diamond, anywhere in the world. With over 30 years of experience sourcing, selecting and designing jewelry with the worlds finest diamonds, Martin Katz is about to share his industry knowledge with you.
Cut
A diamond's cut grade is really about how well a diamond's facets interact with light. The cuts (or shapes) of diamonds include emerald, round, asscher, cushion, oval and marquis. Precise artistry are required to fashion a stone so its proportions, symmetry and polish deliver the magnificent return of light only possible in a diamond. Martin's marquise cut diamond ring (featured to the left) is an exquisite example this high-quality cut workmanship. His personal favorite is the moval cut which is a cross between a marquis and an oval.
Color
In Martin’s opinion, this is the most important of all the C’s. It’s what can be easily seen when examining a diamond. Martin provides the perfect analogy...
"Imagine a white shirt in your closet that always was white to you until you bought a brand new white shirt and put them next to each other. Now your original shirt is not so white anymore and instead contains a hint of yellowness. As the grade goes down the alphabet from D, the color of a diamond begins to have a more and more of a yellow tinge making it easy to see the difference in quality."
Clarity
Clarity plays a very important role in the value of diamonds. Depending on the size and placement of the inclusions in the stone, it directly affects the price and beauty of the diamond. Many inclusions and blemishes are too tiny to be seen by anyone other than a trained diamond grader. This is why expert and accurate assessment of clarity is extremely important.
Carat
To most, the carat size is the most important of the C’s and as many know...
" diamonds have a way of shrinking the longer you get to know them."
Diamond carat weight is the measurement of how much a diamond weighs. Diamond price increases with carat weight, because larger diamonds are more rare and more desirable.
Martin's Final Thoughts
“Pick the shape you love, pick a beautiful diamond and go for the highest color of the diamond. Find that balance that speaks to you and that will always be the best stone you can buy for yourself. Consider budget, quality and a great meld of all 4 C’s. I welcome you to my Beverly Hills boutique and look forward to helping you select the perfect diamond."
Watch the full series on the "4 C's: A Diamond Education with Martin Katz" by following our Instagram HERE.
About Martin Katz Jewels
Founded in Beverly Hills in 1988, Martin Katz is one of the world's leading luxury jewelry brands. Martin’s passion for gems has earned him wide acclaim for designing beautifully-crafted, couture-quality pieces inspired from his love of vintage jewelry – contemporary pieces with an ‘old soul.’
To learn more, visit www.martinkatz.com