Diamond Education Centre
From the 4 Cs to certification — your complete guide to understanding diamonds before you buy. Expert knowledge from Velor's certified gemologists.
Understanding the 4 Cs
The 4 Cs — Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat — are the universal language of diamond quality, established by GIA. Every diamond we supply is graded on all four criteria by an independent laboratory.
C1 Cut
Cut is the most important of the 4 Cs — it determines how well a diamond interacts with light. An excellent cut maximises brilliance (white light), fire (rainbow dispersion) and scintillation (sparkle).
Excellent (EX)
Maximum light reflection and scintillation. The ideal cut. We recommend EX for all buyers.
Very Good (VG)
Reflects most light entering the diamond. Slight deviations from ideal proportions.
Good (G)
Reflects most light. Great value when prioritizing carat or clarity over cut.
C2 Colour
Completely colorless. Highest color grade. Extremely rare.
Near colorless. Excellent value, color imperceptible when set.
Faint yellow tint detectable by expert. Great for yellow gold settings.
Yellow tint visible to naked eye. Budget-friendly choice.
Yellow tint clearly visible. Valued for unique warm appearance.
C3 Clarity
No inclusions or blemishes visible under 10× magnification. Rarest grade.
No internal inclusions. Minor surface blemishes only.
Inclusions so minute, even experts struggle to see under 10× magnification.
Minor inclusions. Invisible to naked eye. Excellent value.
Inclusions are noticeable under magnification. Usually eye-clean.
Inclusions visible to naked eye. Affects brilliance and transparency.
C4 Carat Weight
Carat is the measure of a diamond's weight. One carat = 200 milligrams = 0.2 grams. Larger carat weight often means higher price, though two diamonds of the same carat weight can vary greatly in value based on cut, colour and clarity. We supply diamonds from 0.10 ct (melee) to 10+ ct VVS/FL stones.
Diamond Shapes
Round
Princess
Oval
Cushion
Pear
Emerald
Marquise
Heart
Radiant
Asscher
GIA vs IGI vs HRD — Which is Best?
| Aspect | GIA | IGI | HRD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1931, USA | 1975, Belgium | 1973, Belgium |
| Head Office | Carlsbad, California | Antwerp, Belgium | Antwerp, Belgium |
| Global Acceptance | Highest worldwide | Very widely accepted | Strong in Europe |
| Lab Grown Certs | Yes – LG report | Yes – primary lab | Yes |
| Natural Diamonds | Gold standard | Widely used | Strong in Europe |
| Best For | Highest resale value | Lab grown diamonds | European buyers |
Browse Our Shapes or Send Your Requirements
Our experts are available Monday–Saturday to help you find the perfect diamond for your needs and budget.