Skip to primary navigationSkip to main contentSkip to footer
Welcome! Please browse our site, find the perfect item, and then call us or come by the store to view in person or purchase.
  • SearchToggle Toolbar Search Menu
  • WishlistToggle My Wish List
  • AccountToggle My Account Menu
Goldmart Jewelers logo
  • All Jewelry
    Bracelets
    Chains
    Earrings
    Candlelight Facets of Fire
    Colored Gem Jewelry
    Gold Jewelry
    Knives
    Men's Accessories
    Men's Collection
    Necklaces & Pendants
    Pearls
    Rings
    Watches
    Giftware
    Unique Items
    Cameo Jewelry
    Maps by A.Jaffe
    Anniversary Guide
    Birthstone Guide
    Caring for Fine Jewelry
    Colored Gem Guide
    Learn More About Jewelry
    The Vault
    Bridal
    Bridal
    Facets of Fire
    Facets of Fire
    Shop by Brand
    Shop by Brand

    Explore All All Jewelry
  • Diamonds
    Facets of Fire Bridal
    Loose Diamonds
    Diamond Earrings
    Diamond Bands
    Diamond Necklaces
    Diamond Rings
    Diamond Bracelets
    Choosing the Ring
    Diamond Buying Tips
    Diamond Cleaning
    Ethically Sourced
    Facets of Fire
    Facets of Fire
    Diamond Engagement Rings
    Diamond Engagement Rings
    Diamond Jewelry
    Diamond Jewelry

    Explore All Diamonds
  • Bridal
    Choosing an Engagement Ring
    Choosing the Ring
    Custom
    Diamond Buying Tips
    Engagement Rings
    Anniversary Rings
    Gabriel Custom Ring
    Gemstone Cleaning
    Men's Wedding Bands
    Vintage Bridal
    Wedding Bands
    Facets of Fire
    Facets of Fire
    Shop by Brand
    Shop by Brand
    Loose Diamonds
    Loose Diamonds

    Explore All Bridal
  • Brands
  • Vintage & Estate
    Antique & Vintage
    Georgian Jewelry (1714-1837)
    Victorian Jewelry (1837-1901)
    Edwardian Jewelry (1901-1915)
    Art Nouveau Jewelry (1890-1910)
    Retro Jewelry (1939-1950)
    Mid-Century Modern (1950-1965)
    Cameo Jewelery
    Learn more about Jewelry
    Art Deco Jewlery
    Art Deco Jewlery
    Retro Jewelry
    Retro Jewelry

    Explore All Vintage & Estate
  • Custom
    Custom Design Gallery
    Custom Design Gallery
    Gabriel Custom
    Gabriel Custom
    Redesign or Remount
    Redesign or Remount
    Start A Custom Project
    Start A Custom Project

    Explore All Custom
  • Services
    Redesign & Custom Modification
    Diamond Matching
    Free Jewelry Cleaning & Inspection
    Appraisal
    Appraisal
    Repair
    Repair
    Custom
    Custom

    Explore All Services
  • We Believe
    • Goldmart Staff
    • Our Community
    • Ethical Sourcing
    • Our Commitment
  1. Home
  2. Education
  3. Diamonds

Learn About Diamonds

The Four Cs of Diamonds

Our Four C's of Diamonds guide can help you decide on the most important factors when shopping for a diamond.

  • Carat
  • Cut
  • Color
  • Clarity

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 Goldmart 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.

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.

Excellent

This is the rarest cut grade and reflects the most light.

Very Good

This cut grade reflects nearly as much light as an Excellent cut grade, but for a lower price.

Good

This cut grade reflects most of the light that enters the diamond, but not as much as a Very Good cut grade.

Fair

This cut grade may appear dull or even glassy, and is very inexpensive.

Poor

This cut grade is not carried by Goldmart Jewelers and is typically not recommended.

Excellent
Very Good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not carried by Goldmart Jewelers

MORE DIAMONDS

The Color

Color is one of the more noticeable attributes of a diamond and has a heavy impact on the price of the stone. 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. After 'Z' on the color scale, diamonds become fancy yellow, which cost more because of their rarity.

Z-N
M-K
Noticeable Color
J
I
H
G
Near Colorless
F
E
D
Colorless
Z-N
M-K
J
I
H
G
F
E
D
Noticeable Color
Near Colorless
Colorless

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

Flawless

No inclusions or blemishes are visible to a skilled grader.

Internally Flawless

No inclusions and only blemishes are visible to a skilled grader.

Very Very Slightly Included

Inclusions are difficult for a skilled grader to see.

Very Slightly Included

Inclusions are clearly visible but can be characterized as minor.

Slightly Included

Inclusions are noticeable to a skilled grader.

Included

Inclusions are obvious and may affect transparency and brilliance.

FFlawless
IFInternally Flawless
VVS1
VVS2
Very Very Slightly Included
VS1
VS2
Very Slightly Included
SI1
SI2
Slightly Included
I1
I2
I3
Included

MORE DIAMONDS

Shop Loose Diamonds

Goldmart Jewelers
Redding Location
1191 Hilltop Drive
Redding, CA 96003
(530) 221-4653
Store Information
Hours
Monday:Closed
Tues - Sat:10:00am - 5:30pm
Sunday:Closed
Jewelry
  • Graduation
  • Bridal
  • Cross
  • Bujukan
  • Halo
  • Vintage and Estate
  • Sterling Silver Jewelry
  • Men's Collection
  • Men's Accessories
  • Knives
  • Platinum Jewelry
  • Enamel
  • Giftware
  • Facets of Fire
  • Colored Gem Jewelry
  • Gold Jewelry
  • Loose Diamonds
  • Unique Items
  • A. Jaffe Maps
  • Rings
  • Earrings
  • Pendants
  • Necklaces
  • Bracelets
  • Chains
  • Pins & Brooches
  • Watches
Education
  • Jewelry Education
  • The Four Cs of Diamonds
  • Diamond Buying Tips
  • Choosing the Ring
  • Choosing an Engagement Ring
  • Birthstone Guide
  • Gemstone Guide
  • Precious Metals
  • Caring for Fine Jewelry
  • Diamond Cleaning
  • Gemstone Cleaning
  • Anniversary Guide
  • Gold Buying Guide
Our Store
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
Email Sign Up

Signup for special offers and events.

Socials

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