New Diamond Collection
How to choose a diamond
Review carat weight, colour, clarity and cut together when choosing a diamond. Set a budget and decide which aspect of appearance matters most to you, then compare the recorded product details with its laboratory report.
Updated: 2026-10-30What do the 4Cs describe?
Carat measures weight: 1 ct equals 0.2 grams. The GIA D-Z colour scale runs from colourless to light colour. Clarity evaluates internal and surface characteristics. Cut concerns the facets and proportions that affect how a diamond interacts with light.
Which C should take priority within a budget?
If brightness matters most, start with cut. The GIA cut grade discussed here applies to standard round brilliant diamonds in the D-Z colour range. If apparent size is your priority, compare millimetre dimensions alongside carat weight. For colour and clarity, compare reports and images within your budget instead of assuming one grade suits everyone.
Who can use this approach?
This is a starting point for a first purchase or a comparison of similar pieces. For fancy-colour, treated or laboratory-grown diamonds, also check the assessment system used by the particular report. This guide cannot grade a stone from a photograph or establish its future resale value.