The 4Cs — What You'll Actually See
Cut, colour, clarity, carat — explained through what matters in real life, not on paper

Free comparison tool
Enter the specs for two diamonds and see the real differences: how they compare in size, what they cost, and where the value actually is.
How each diamond appears when viewed from above — the way you actually see it on a ring.
A — 1.0ct
6.5mm face-up
B — 1.5ct
7.4mm face-up
Diamond A — 1.0ct Round Natural
£NaN – £NaN
Diamond B — 1.5ct Round Natural
£NaN – £NaN
| Spec | Diamond A | Diamond B |
|---|---|---|
| Carat | 1.0 | 1.5 |
| Shape | Round | Round |
| Cut | Excellent | Excellent |
| Colour | G | H |
| Clarity | VS1 | VS2 |
| Type | Natural | Natural |
| Face-up size | 6.5mm | 7.4mm |
| Est. price | £NaN – £NaN | £NaN – £NaN |
Browse certified diamonds with 360-degree views, exact specs, and transparent pricing.
Find jewellers for these specsNumbers only tell half the story. These guides explain what each spec actually means on her hand.
Cut, colour, clarity, carat — explained through what matters in real life, not on paper
Same stone, different story. The real facts without the spin from either side
How to read a GIA or IGI certificate in 30 seconds and know exactly what you are buying
From diamond to setting to the ring on her finger — the complete buyer's guide
The prices shown are indicative ranges based on current Hatton Garden market data and publicly available pricing from certified diamond databases. Actual prices vary by jeweller, specific stone characteristics not captured in the basic 4Cs (like fluorescence, symmetry, and polish), and current market conditions. Use these figures to understand the ballpark — then get real quotes from jewellers for the exact stone you want.
Not necessarily. Colour grades D-F are considered colourless and command a premium, but the difference between an F and a G is essentially invisible to the naked eye — even to most jewellers without a loupe and a white comparison card. For most people, a G or H colour in a white gold or platinum setting looks identical to a D at a fraction of the price. The money saved is often better spent on a larger carat or better cut.
Cut determines how a diamond handles light — the sparkle, brilliance, and fire that make a diamond look alive. A well-cut 0.9ct diamond will look more impressive than a poorly cut 1.1ct diamond because it returns more light to your eye. The other three Cs affect rarity and price, but cut is what you actually see when you look at the ring on your hand. Always prioritise Excellent or Very Good cut.
Chemically, physically, and optically — yes. A lab-grown diamond has the same crystal structure, hardness, and light performance as a natural diamond. The only difference is origin: one formed underground over billions of years, the other was created in a lab over weeks. A jeweller cannot tell them apart without specialist equipment. The key trade-off is resale value — lab-grown diamonds currently have lower resale value than natural diamonds.