Cut, colour, clarity and carat drive both the look and the price of a diamond — but not equally. Here's what actually changes how a stone looks on the hand.
Governs brilliance — how well the stone returns light. This matters most of the four: an Excellent-cut diamond will always out-sparkle a larger, lower stone.
Graded D (colourless) to Z (visibly warm). Most eyes can't tell D from H face-up in a setting, so this is where you can often save without a visible trade-off.
Measures internal inclusions. VS1–VS2 stones are eye-clean at arm's length and offer the best value; flawless stones command a premium few eyes can justify.
Simply the stone's weight, not its size. Two 1-carat diamonds can look noticeably different depending on cut and shape proportions.
If you're balancing trade-offs, spend on cut first, clarity second, colour third, and let carat be the number that flexes. This order gives the most visible brilliance for the money.
| Grade | Recommended range |
|---|---|
| Cut | Excellent / Ideal |
| Colour | F – H |
| Clarity | VS1 – VS2 |
Every certified stone we sell ships with its full grading report and a video — no surprises on arrival.
How certification works