Jewelry Guides
The 4Cs, made simple
Every diamond gets four grades: cut, color, clarity and carat. Here's what each one means, in plain words, so you can pick with confidence.
Good to know: every diamond we sell already has top grades for cut, color and clarity.
The quick guide
Short on time? Start here.
| Grade | What it means | What to pick |
|---|---|---|
| Cut | How much it sparkles | Excellent or Ideal |
| Color | How white it looks | D, E or F |
| Clarity | How clean it looks | VS2 or better |
| Carat | How big it is | The size you love |
Cut changes the sparkle the most. Carat changes the price the most.
We already picked the best grades
We only sell diamonds with great cut, color and clarity. So with us, you just choose two things: the shape you love and the size that fits your budget.
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Cut: the sparkle
Cut is the most important C. It decides how much your diamond sparkles.
What it means
A diamond has many tiny flat sides. When they're cut just right, light bounces around inside and shines back out. That's the sparkle.
Cut is not shape
Round, oval and pear are shapes. Cut is how well the shape was made. The best grade is Excellent.
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Color: how white it looks
Most diamonds have a tiny hint of yellow. Less yellow looks whiter.
The letters
Color goes from D to Z. D is the whitest. Z is light yellow. We only sell D, E and F, the whitest grades.
Your gold changes the look
White gold and platinum make a diamond look icy white. Yellow and rose gold make it look a little warm. Want warm gold and an icy diamond? Pick two-tone, with white gold prongs.
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Clarity: how clean it looks
Almost every diamond has tiny marks, like freckles. Clarity tells you how many there are and how easy they are to see.
The grades
Flawless means no marks, even under a magnifier. Included means you can see marks with your eyes. VS2 is in between.
What you'll see
Most marks are so small you can't see them without a magnifier. All our diamonds are VS2 or better, so they look clean to your eye.
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Carat: how big it is
Carat is how much a diamond weighs. Heavier diamonds look bigger.
Size and price
Bigger diamonds cost more. Carat changes the price more than any other C.
A size tip
Some shapes look bigger than others. An oval, pear or marquise often looks larger than a round diamond of the same carat.
How to pick in 3 steps
Pick your shape
Choose the shape you love most. There's no wrong answer.
Check the grades
Look for Excellent cut, D to F color and VS2 clarity or better. All our diamonds already have these.
Choose your size
Pick the size that fits your budget. Not sure? Text us your budget and we'll show you your best choices.
Lab grown or natural?
Both are real diamonds. They look the same and are made of the same thing. Lab grown diamonds are made by people. Natural ones are dug from the earth. Lab grown cost much less.
Questions people ask
What diamonds do you sell?
White diamonds with top grades: D to F color, VS2 clarity or better, and Excellent or Ideal cut.
What's the best shape?
The one you love! Round, oval, pear, emerald, princess and cushion are all popular.
Do I need a diamond certificate?
It's a good idea. A certificate is a report from an outside lab that lists your diamond's grades and size. It proves what you're getting, and insurance companies may ask for it.
What is fluorescence?
Some diamonds glow a little under black light. That's fluorescence. It mostly happens with natural diamonds, and most of the time you can't notice it.
Does my gold color change how my diamond looks?
A little. White gold and platinum keep it looking icy white. Yellow and rose gold add a warm glow. Two-tone gives you both.
Do diamonds hold their value?
Think of a diamond as something to love and wear, not an investment. If you sell any diamond later, you'll usually get back much less than you paid. Lab grown diamonds cost much less to start, so there's less money at stake.
How do I get the best diamond for my budget?
Tell us your budget and what matters most to you, like size or sparkle. We'll show you the best options. Text us anytime.
Still deciding?
We'll help you pick
Text us your budget and favorite shape. Or come see diamonds side by side at our studio in Huntington Beach.
