What's more important clarity or color?

The color grade is more important than the clarity grade because cushion-cut diamonds tend to retain a lot of color. If you don't want any hints of color, look for a cushion cut diamond with a color grade of H or above.

Which is more important cut clarity or color?

A diamond's cut is ultimately more important than its clarity or color, particularly when it comes to brilliance. Before looking at color or clarity, limit your search to excellent or ideal cut diamonds only.

What is a good diamond clarity and color?

In general, the highest quality diamonds are totally colorless, whereas lower quality diamonds can often have a slight yellow tint. Diamond color is measured using the Gemological Institute of America, or GIA color scale which goes from D (colorless) all the way to Z (light yellow or brown in color).

What's more important cut or color in diamonds?

Cut is the most important determinant of the overall appearance of a diamond. No Clarity grade can help a poorly cut diamond; however, an excellent cut diamond can have a lower color (G-H) or clarity (SI1-SI2) and still look quite beautiful due to its superior ability to create sparkle and brilliance.

What is more important carat or clarity?

In diamonds over 1 carat (where clarity is more important, and SI2 inclusions are often easier to detect), an SI2 is often half the price of a VS1 diamond. About one third of diamonds sold fall into the SI1-SI2 range.

Diamond Color vs. Clarity, What's More Important?

What is most important when buying a diamond?

Out of the 4 C's of diamonds, the cut of the diamond is the most important. This is followed by color, clarity, and carat weight.

What is the most popular diamond clarity?

The most popular diamond clarity grade we see amongst our customers is VS1, closely followed by VVS2. These diamond clarity grades offer the greatest value, because they cost less than the rare grades like flawless and internally flawless, but still offer an eye-clean appearance.

Does color or clarity make a diamond sparkle?

You may think: the larger the diamond, the more sparkle. But in reality, diamonds with identical proportions, color and clarity have the same amount of sparkle regardless of size.

Is G clarity diamond good?

As the highest color grade in the “near colorless” range of the scale, G color diamonds offer outstanding looks with a lower price tag than diamonds in the “colorless” range. This is an absolutely stunning diamond from Blue Nile that I think would be a phenomenal choice for any of our readers.

Is VS1 or VS2 better?

A VS1 diamond has no visible inclusions and under 10x magnification, the inclusions are almost unidentifiable. These diamonds make up the top 5 percent of all gem-quality stones. VS2 diamonds will only have eye-visible inclusions 5 percent or less of the time, which are more common in stones over 1 carat.

Are D color diamonds worth it?

The difference that D color makes in your diamond's appearance is more subtle than the cut quality or carat weight of your diamond. D color diamonds are valuable because they are rare, not because they are noticeably more beautiful than other colorless diamonds.

What clarity diamond is best value?

Bottom Line: VS2 clarity diamonds offer the best value. VS2 diamonds have small inclusions, but are usually not visible to the naked eye. It will look like a flawless diamond. VS2 diamonds can cost as much as 15% less than Flawless clarity grades.

Is an F color diamond good?

F color diamonds look fantastic, with an almost completely colorless appearance that's ideal for both white and colored metals alike. As the least expensive color grade in the colorless area of the diamond color scale, an F color diamond offer slightly better value than a D or E diamond.

Is it better to have a bigger diamond or better quality?

In general, buying a higher-clarity diamond that is smaller is a better choice than getting a bigger stone of lower clarity. That is from a purely aesthetic standpoint.

How many carats should an engagement ring be?

In the United States, for example, the national average for an engagement ring is around one carat. In the United Kingdom, it's 0.6 carats, and in Europe it's even smaller, hovering at 0.5 carats.

Is VS1 clarity good?

A VS1 diamond is a high clarity grade with no visible inclusions and only small, hard-to-identify inclusions under 10x magnification. These diamonds represent the top 5 percent of all gem-quality stones. The most common VS1 inclusions are crystal (white or black), feather, indented natural, knot, or needle.

Is J color diamond good?

As we explained above, J color diamonds are the lowest color grade that's still considered near colorless by the GIA. Both of these diamonds are from James Allen. Aside from their color, they're identical in terms of quality — 1.00 carat, VS2, excellent cut round brilliant cut diamonds.

Is VS2 I color diamond good?

Diamonds with a VS2 clarity grade offer you the best balance of beauty and affordability. We think they are the best diamond value. Buying a diamond that has a lower clarity grade but still no eye-visible inclusions will leave more money in your budget to buy a larger, more beautifully cut diamond.

Are Costco diamonds real?

Costco offers our members high quality jewelry at an exceptional value. Our team of GIA Graduate Gemologists inspect every diamond to ensure it meets Costco's strict quality standards. We only sell natural and untreated diamonds.

Which of the 4 C's is most important diamond?

Diamond cut is the single most important of the 4Cs when it comes to the physical beauty of a diamond. Why? Because a diamond's cut determines how much it sparkles. The number of facets, the angle of the facets, and the symmetry and alignment of the shape will affect how the diamond returns light.

Which diamond cut is the cheapest?

Carat-per-carat, emerald and Asscher cuts are the least expensive. Because they are step-cut, there is less waste when these diamonds are cut off of the rough stone, which is going to cost the same no matter how it gets cut.

Which diamonds shine the most?

Round Brilliant is the most classic stone shape and is made up of 58 facets. Round engagement rings are by far the most popular of all the shapes as they're the diamond cut that sparkles the most.

What is the most desirable diamond color?

Best diamond color based on GIA standards

According to that GIA standard, the "best" diamond color is D. (Read more about D color diamonds here.) D color diamonds are the equivalent of IF or FL grade diamonds on the clarity scale — they're very rare, and their price definitely reflects that.

Is H color diamond good?

H Color Diamond (Near Colorless)

H color diamonds are an excellent value with a faint yellow hue that is difficult to detect unless compared side by side with other diamonds of a higher color grade. Typically, only a trained eye can see the difference between H and G color grades.

How do I pick the right diamond?