Diamonds
A guide to understanding the 4 C's
At Harrison Beasant, every diamond is carefully selected for its unique fire, brilliance, and vitality. We believe that the best stones are not only of exceptional quality, but also carry a distinct character of their own. Like a fingerprint, each diamond is one of a kind—defined by its cut, colour, clarity, and carat weight, known as the 4Cs.
Cut
We consider cut to be the most crucial of the 4Cs. It directly influences how a diamond reflects and refracts light—affecting its brilliance, sparkle, and overall presence. A well-cut stone, with balanced proportions, symmetry, and fine polish, brings a diamond to life. Without it, even high-quality material can appear dull.
Clarity
Clarity refers to the natural features within a diamond and reflects both its purity and rarity. Each stone is assessed under 10x magnification to identify any internal or surface characteristics. These inclusions can range from tiny black marks to subtle white feathers—each one telling part of the diamond’s natural story.
Colour
Colour plays a key role in a diamond’s overall appearance, influencing how bright and clear it looks to the eye. Diamonds with lower colour grades may show a subtle yellow tint, while those closer to colourless appear crisp, bright, and more sought after.
Another factor to consider is fluorescence. While it can sometimes lower a diamond’s market value or slightly soften its appearance, in other cases it may enhance the perceived brightness of the stone.
All natural diamonds carry a slight trace of colour—truly colourless stones are rare and highly prized.
Carat
Carat refers to the weight of a diamond, not its visual size. One carat equals 0.200 grams. While carat weight is often associated with how large a diamond looks, it’s the cut that truly determines how much presence the stone has.
Two diamonds with the same carat weight can appear noticeably different in size due to variations in their proportions. That’s why it’s essential to consider carat weight alongside cut, rather than on its own.