Two diamonds can have the same carat weight and still look noticeably different. One may give off lively flashes of light; the other may appear flatter or smaller when viewed from above. Their grading details often explain why. The four Cs—cut, color, clarity and carat weight—offer a common language for evaluating diamonds. They help compare natural and laboratory-grown stones, although their reports can differ. Use the chart to narrow your options. The Four Grades, Side by Side Factor Typical Scale What It Tells You Cut Excellent to Poor for GIA-graded…
