Skip to primary navigationSkip to main contentSkip to footer
Midtown Diamonds logo
  • Toggle My Account Menu
  • Toggle My Wishlist
  • Toggle Shopping Cart Menu
  • Toggle Search Menu
  • Engagement Rings
    • Search Diamonds
    • Find the Perfect Setting
    • Shop Engagement Rings
    • Shop Lab Grown Engagement Rings
    • Diamond Education
  • Wedding Bands
    • Women's Wedding Bands
    • Men's Wedding Bands
    • Anniversary Rings
  • Custom Design
  • All Jewelry
    • Engagement
        Engagement RingsLab Grown Engagement RingsSemi-Mount Rings
    • Wedding Bands
        Womens Wedding BandsMens Wedding BandsAnniversary Bands
    • Fashion Rings
        Diamond Fashion RingsLab Grown Diamond Fashion RingsColored Stone RingsGold Fashion RingsSilver RingsPearl RingsEternity BandsStackable Rings
    • Earrings
        Diamond EarringsLab Grown Diamond EarringsColored Stone EarringsGold EarringsSilver EarringsPearl Earrings
    • Pendants and Necklaces
        Diamond PendantsLab Grown Diamond PendantsColored Stone PendantsGold PendantsSilver PendantsPearl PendantsDiamond NecklacesColored Stone NecklacesGold NecklacesSilver NecklacesPearl Necklaces
    • Bracelets
        Diamond BraceletsGold BraceletsMens Gold BraceletsSilver Bracelets
    • Chains
        Gold ChainsSilver Chains
    • Watches
        Ladies WatchesMens Watches
    • Create a Wishlist
  • Services
    • Jewelry Appraisals
    • Jewelry Repairs
    • Cleaning & Inspection
    • Custom Designs
    • Gold & Diamond Buying
    • Jewelry Restoration
    • Pearl & Bead Restringing
    • Rhodium Plating
    • Ring Resizing
    • Tip & Prong Repair
  • Our Story
  • Diamonds
  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 Midtown Diamonds 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.

Midtown Diamonds
Midtown Diamonds - Midtown
777 South Center Street #102
Reno, NV 89501
(775) 825-3499
Store Information
Hours
Monday:Closed
Tues - Fri:10:00am - 6:00pm
Saturday:11:00am - 4:00pm
Sunday:Closed
Jewelry
  • Engagement
  • Wedding Bands
  • Fashion Rings
  • Earrings
  • Pendants and Necklaces
  • Bracelets
  • Chains
  • Watches
  • Create a Wishlist
Main Menu
  • About Midtown Diamonds
  • Your Master IJO Jeweler
  • Create A Wish List
  • Custom Jewelry Design
  • Jewelry Appraisals
  • Jewelry Repairs
  • Contact Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter

© 2025 Midtown Diamonds. 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.