Skip to primary navigationSkip to main contentSkip to footer
Shop our entire store online! Free in-store pick-up and shipping available!
  • My AccountToggle My Account Menu
    Forgot Password?

    Don't have an account? Sign up now

  • SearchToggle Search Menu
  • Wish ListToggle My Wishlist
Georgetown Jewelers logo
  • Diamonds
    • Diamond Education
      • 4 Cs of Diamonds
      • Diamond Buying Tips
    • Select Your Diamond
      • Diamond Search
      • Lab Grown Diamond Search
      • Gemstone Search
    • Antwerp Diamonds
  • Engagement
    • Find Your Perfect Ring
    • Shop Engagement Rings
    • Engagement Ring Designer
    • Men's Wedding Band Designer
    • After the Ring
  • Shop Jewelry
      Estate Jewelry
      Gold Estate ChainsReligious Estate JewelrySilver Estate JewelryGemstone Estate RingsDiamond Estate RingsGold Estate RingsGold Estate BraceletsDiamond and Gemstone Estate BraceletsDiamond Estate Necklaces and PendantsGemstone Estate Necklaces and PendantsGold Estate Necklaces and PendantsGemstone Estate EarringsDiamond Estate EarringsGold Estate EarringsEstate Pins and Brooches
      Engagement Rings
      Diamond Engagement RingsCustomizable Engagement Rings
      Wedding Bands
      Men's Precious Metal Wedding BandsWomen's Wedding BandsModern Metal Wedding BandsCustomizable Women's Wedding Bands
      Lab Grown Diamond Jewelry
      Lab Grown Diamond NecklacesLab Grown Diamond RingsLab Grown Diamond Stud EarringsLab Grown Diamond Bracelets
      Necklaces & Pendants
      Diamond Necklaces & PendantsDiamond Marriage SymbolColored Gemstone Necklaces & PendantsSilver Necklaces & PendantsGold Necklaces & PendantsPearl Necklaces
      Rings
      Colored Gemstone Stacking RingsDiamond Fashion RingsColored Gemstone RingsSilver RingsGold Fashion RingsPearl Rings
      Earrings
      Diamond Stud EarringsDiamond Fashion EarringsColored Gemstone EarringsGold EarringsSilver EarringsPearl Earrings
      Bracelets
      Diamond BraceletsColored Gemstone BraceletsGold BraceletsSilver BraceletsPearl Bracelets
      Watches
      Men's WatchesWomen's Watches
    • Family Jewelry
    • Chains
      Gold ChainsSilver Chains
      Men's Jewelry
      Men's BraceletsMen's Rings
      Religious Jewelry
      Silver ReligiousGold ReligiousDiamond ReligiousReligious EarringsChristian Marriage Symbol
    • Baby/Children's Jewelry
    • Add-A-Pearl
    • Cleaning Kits & Gifts
    • On Sale
  • Estate Jewelry
    • Estate Rings
      • Diamond Rings
      • Gold Rings
      • Gemstone Rings
    • Estate Earrings
      • Diamond earrings
      • Gold Earrings
      • Gemstone Earrings
    • Estate Necklaces & Pendants
      • Diamond Necklaces & Pendants
      • Gold Necklaces & Pendants
      • Gemstone Necklaces & Pendants
    • Estate Bracelets
      • Diamond & Gemstone Bracelets
      • Gold Bracelets
    • Estate Gold Chains
    • Religious Estate Jewelry
    • Silver Estate Jewelry
    • Estate Pins & Brooches
  • Education
    • Jewelry Education
    • Diamond Education
      • The Four Cs of Diamonds
      • Diamond Buying Tips
    • Choosing The Right Setting
    • Learn About Gemstones
      • Birthstone Guide
      • Gemstone Guide
    • Precious Metals
    • Jewelry Care
      • Caring for Fine Jewelry
      • Diamond Cleaning
      • Gemstone Cleaning
    • Anniversary Guide
    • Gold Buying Guide
  • About
    • Our Store
    • Meet Our Staff
    • Blog
    • Master IJO Jeweler
    • Testimonials
    • Rewards
    • Join Our Team
  • Our Services
    • All Services
    • Jewelry Repair
    • Custom Jewelry
    • Appraisals
    • Watch Repair
    • Layaway & Financing
    • Insurance Replacement
    • Jewelry Cleaning & Inspection
  • Contact
  1. Home
  2. The 4Cs of Diamonds

The 4Cs of Diamonds

0.25 Carat

4.1 mm

0.50 Carat

5.0 mm

0.75 Carat

5.8 mm

1.00 Carat

6.5 mm

1.50 Carat

7.4 mm

2.00 Carat

8.2 mm

The Carat Weight

The word carat derives from the word carob, a Mediterranean seed, which has an extremely consistent weight for measuring. The greater the carat weight, the rarer, and more valuable the diamond becomes. Five metric carats weighs exactly 1 gram.

Some people want the largest diamond possible. If size is a priority, we at Georgetown Jewelers can help you classify the proper cut, color and clarity to fit your budget economically, and fit your jewelry beautifully. Many of our engagement rings can fit diamonds up to 5.00 carats, but each ring has different size constraints based on its size and the type of setting. Prong settings can be manipulated to fit virtually any size diamond, but tension-set diamonds and bezel set diamonds have more limitations on size.


Too Shallow

Ideal Cut

Too Deep

The Cut

The true definition of cut is the quality of the proportions and symmetry of the diamond. Your diamond's proportions make a vast difference on how brightly your diamond shines. An 'ideal cut' diamond is one that allows the maximum amount of light to return through the top of the diamond, which takes into consideration the depth, table size, crown height and angle, girdle thickness and more. Our diamond professionals will be happy to assist you in selecting the best diamond cut.

After a rough diamond is mined, it is evaluated to determine its best possible cut, in order to maintain the maximum clarity, color, and carat weight. The term 'cut' is often confused with diamond 'shape', such as round brilliant or princess cut.


D

E-F

G-J

K-M

N-R

S-Z

The Color

Diamonds range from colorless to yellow or light brown, and are sometimes found in a spectrum of fancy colors, including yellow, blue, and even red diamonds. The less color, the rarer the diamond.

D - Colorless
E-F - Colorless
G-J - Near Colorless
K-M - Faint Yellow
N-R - Very Light Yellow
S-Z - Light Yellow

After 'Z' on the color scale, diamonds become fancy yellow, which cost more because of their rarity.


F-IF

VVS1-VVS2

VS1-VS2

SI1-SI2

I1

I2-I3

The Clarity

Diamonds are composed of mostly carbon. During the heating process, other elements become trapped inside, giving each diamond its own unique fingerprint. These inclusions help identify the clarity of your diamond.

F - No inclusions or blemishes are visible to a skilled grader.
IF - No inclusions and only blemishes are visible to a skilled grader.
VVS1-VVS2 - Inclusions are difficult for a skilled grader to see.
VS1-VS2 - Inclusions are clearly visible but can be characterized as minor.
SI1-SI2 - Inclusions are noticeable to a skilled grader.
I1-I3 - Inclusions are obvious and may affect transparency and brilliance.

*All diamonds are viewed through a 10x magnification lens by diamond graders.

Georgetown Jewelers Address
Georgetown Jewelers
351 Georgetown Square
Wood Dale, IL 60191
(630) 766-4137
Store Information
Store Hours
Monday:Closed
Tues - Fri:10:30am - 6:00pm
Saturday:10:00am - 4:00pm
Sunday:Closed
Jewelry
  • Estate Jewelry
  • Engagement Rings
  • Wedding Bands
  • Lab Grown Diamond Jewelry
  • Necklaces & Pendants
  • Rings
  • Earrings
  • Bracelets
  • Watches
  • Family Jewelry
  • Chains
  • Men's Jewelry
  • Religious Jewelry
  • Baby/Children's Jewelry
  • Add-A-Pearl
  • Cleaning Kits & Gifts
  • On Sale
Collections
  • Add-A-Pearl
  • AVA Couture
  • Citizen
  • Benchmark
  • Charles Garnier
  • Christian Marriage Symbol
  • Customized Family Jewelry
  • Dee Berkley Jewelry
  • Diamond Marriage Symbol
  • Diamonds from Antwerp
  • ELLE
  • Heavy Stone Rings
  • INOX
  • Jewelry with a Past
  • Lafonn
  • Valina
Our Store
  • Our Store
  • Custom Design Services
  • Your Master IJO Jeweler
  • Jewelry Repair
  • Watch Repair
  • Create a Wish List
  • Insurance Replacement
  • Gold Buying Guide
  • Testimonials
  • Financing
  • Layaway
  • Return Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
Mailing List

Sign up for special offers and discounts

  • Gemological Institute of America
  • Independent Jewelers Organization
  • Retail Jewelers Organization

© 2025 Georgetown Jewelers. All Rights Reserved. Website designed, maintained, and hosted by Punchmark. Accessibility Statement.

Learn how we use cookies in our Privacy Policy or manage cookie preferences.

Have a Question? Message us here.