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4 c’s of diamond guide

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What is a Diamond?

Over a billion years ago, deep beneath the Earth's surface, carbon atoms bonded tightly under high temperatures and extreme pressure, resulting in the world's hardest natural mineral: diamond.

Hidden for millions of years, diamonds only reached the Earth's surface after volcanic activity transported them upward in magma. Then, in the 4th Century BC, the first diamonds were found in India. Today, as they have been for centuries, diamonds are one of the most beautiful and coveted objects on Earth.

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The gallerize jewels Difference

Since our founding in 2022, Gallerize Jewels has been on a mission to redefine the diamond industry. We introduced a new benchmark with our Gallerize Beyond Conflict Free™ Diamonds, going beyond the Kimberley Process to ensure our diamonds are not only stunning but also ethically sourced and sustainable. Our commitment to transparency allows us to trace the origins of each diamond, sharing that journey with you — so you can wear your Gallerize Jewels with confidence, knowing they make a positive impact.

Types of Diamonds

natural diamond

Natural diamonds form deep within the Earth under extreme conditions of heat and pressure. They are comprised of nearly 99.95% carbon, with the other 0.05% reflecting trace elements that aren't part of their essential chemistry — making diamond the only gemstone constructed of a single element. They are the hardest naturally occurring material found on Earth and one of the most sought-after.

lab diamond

Lab diamonds are optically, chemically, and physically the same as natural diamonds. In other words, they look, feel, and are identical. Their difference lies only in their origins — natural diamonds form within the Earth, and lab diamonds are grown by professionals with specialized equipment. Another difference relates to cost; as lab grown diamonds are less rare than natural diamonds, they often come at a much more accessible price.

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4 c’s of diamond

If you're wondering what to look for in a diamond, the best place to begin is by understanding the 4 C's: cut, color, clarity, and carat. Created by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in the 1940s, the 4 C's act as a universal scale to describe and determine the quality of diamonds.

cut

Cut is the proportion and arrangement of facets that determine a diamond’s gallerize jewels, sparkle, and fire. the scale ranges from excellent to poor.

Diamond Image
super ideal ideal very good Good fair

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d e f g h i j

Color

Color references the absence of color within a diamond. The scale ranges from D (colorless) to Z. Diamonds outside this range are considered 'fancy colored.'

Clarity

Clarity references the absence of internal inclusions and surface blemishes on a diamond. The scale ranges from Internally Flawless to Included.

Diamond Image
FL IF VVS1 VVS2 VS1 VS2 SI1 SI2

Diamond Image Hand Diamond

View with carat size: 1.08 carat

carat

Carat is a measurement unit that describes a diamond's weight, not its size. One carat is roughly the weight of a paperclip.

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Diamond Certification

Many diamonds, including all gallerize jewels, are certified by independent institutions such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the International Gemological Institute (IGI), HRD Antwerp, and the Gem Certification & Assurance Lab (GCAL). To grade a diamond, trained professionals use specialized equipment to assess cut, color, clarity, and carat. They may also plot a diagram of its clarity characteristics and graphic representation of its proportions. Certifications may also include notes on symmetry, polish, fluorescence, shape, or measurements.

Certifications are essential as they detail not only the quality characteristics of your stone but also its authenticity. During the certification process, most diamonds are laser inscribed with a unique number that correlates to the number on its certification — meaning that, under magnification, you'll always be able to visually confirm that the diamond you have is the same one that was certified. We digitally deliver to customers with their purchase. Providing digital certifications in lieu of paper certifications decreases our paper use, the size of our packaging, and our shipping emissions, therefore reducing our carbon footprint.

diamond shape

Shape refers to the external appearance of a diamond's outline. It is distinct from cut, which refers to a diamond's internal facet arrangement. The most popular shape is round, and any other shape (such as emerald, marquise, or oval) is considered a 'fancy shape.'

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Diamond Hardness

Diamond is the hardest naturally occurring mineral found on Earth. It is so hard that it ranks at the highest hardness level (a 10) on the Mohs scale, a rating system developed in 1822. The hardness of a diamond signifies its resistance to scratching — and it's true that only a diamond can scratch a diamond. Therefore, diamonds are ideal for everyday wear, making them perfect as center stones in jewelry as well as engagement rings.

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Diamond Fluorescence

Diamond fluorescence refers to the effect that ultraviolet (UV) light has on a diamond. It is graded on the intensity of the diamond's reaction to long-wave UV, which is an integral part of daylight. Fluorescence may cause diamonds to emit a blue or yellow glow under UV light, but it does not have a noticeable effect on diamond appearance under regular lighting, nor does it affect the structural integrity of the stone.

diamond price

Diamond price varies greatly depending on rarity and quality. Diamonds with higher grades in cut, color, or clarity, or diamonds with a larger carat weight, are rarer and therefore more expensive than those with lower grades or carat weights. Lab grown diamonds are less rare than natural diamonds found in the Earth and are therefore less expensive.

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Diamond Grading Scale

Diamonds are graded on a scale developed by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) that analyzes cut, color, clarity, and carat. These 4 C's are universally acknowledged as the accepted standard in describing and determining the quality of any diamond.

How to Buy Diamonds

When deciding on your dream diamond, it's essential to do the following:

  • 1. Study up on the 4 C's. To find the best diamond for you, learn to balance the 4 C's with your budget. If you're looking for a high-carat stone, you may have to sacrifice cut, color, or clarity to keep it affordable. Or vice versa, if you're looking for a colorless stone, you may have to sacrifice carat, cut, or clarity. And remember, no two diamonds are identical, and there's no right answer to how a diamond should look.

  • 2. Pick your favorite shape. While round brilliant diamonds are the most popular, remember that there are many other shapes to choose from. Here at Gallerize, we offer eight shapes in addition to round: oval, cushion, princess, radiant, emerald, marquise, pear, and asscher.

  • 3. Make sure that it's certified. Your diamond must come with a digital or physical certification from an independent institution such as GIA, IGI, HRD, or GCAL to prove its authenticity and quality. All Gallerize diamonds are certified, and any other diamond you're considering purchasing should be, too.

At Gallerize, we're proud to offer our customers an incredible assortment of sustainable and ethical diamonds — in all shapes and sizes — so we suggest using our filters to navigate our diamond searches best. Once you've determined the shape and 4 C's you're hoping for, filter away to narrow it down to the perfect piece.

Our experts are also available 24/7 via chat, phone, text, and email to assist with questions big and small. If you're interested in viewing diamonds in person, schedule an appointment and come see us.

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diamond quiz

Do you need help finding your dream diamond? Our quiz is here to help you discover the perfect one.

diamond facts

  • The word diamond derives from the Greek "adamas," which means invincible or indestructible.

  • The Cullinan Heritage Diamond is an egg-sized stone and the biggest diamond ever discovered in a rough, uncut form. Originally weighing 3,106 carats, it was eventually cut into nine stones, including a 530 carat and a 317 carat. Both are now part of the Crown Jewels in the United Kingdom.

  • The first known engagement ring is from 1477, when Archduke Maximillian of Austria proposed to Mary of Burgundy with a gold ring featuring an M spelled in diamonds.

  • The world's rarest diamonds are natural diamonds of a red or orange color.

  • The Hope Diamond, a 44.52-carat blue diamond, is the largest of its kind and is said to be cursed. Originally 115 carats and of Indian origin, it was stolen by a merchant who recut it after taking it from the eye of a Hindu statue, incurring the wrath of the priests who then allegedly cursed it.

  • Scientists have discovered a star fifty light years from Earth that's comprised of a ten billion-trillion-trillion-carat diamond. They named it Lucy (fitting, as it's in the sky with diamonds).

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