What Are the C's Of Modern Jewelry
When it comes to purchasing a necklace, ring, or any other piece of jewelry, you might be confused about what to look for when making your purchase. How can you ensure that you're getting a high-quality piece of jewelry worth the money you're investing?
There are several characteristics that can give you insight into the value and quality of a piece of jewelry. These factors are what we call the “C’s of Modern Jewelry": cut, color, clarity, and carat. Let's take a closer look at each factor and see how they impact your choices when purchasing new pieces of jewelry.
What Does Cut Mean?
The cut of a diamond is the most essential aspect of its value because it directly impacts the other "C's" of jewelry. Cut refers to how the diamond is shaped.
If a diamond is cut too shallow or too deep, you won't be able to see its brilliance or observe its sparkle. If you want to get the most out of your diamond, you need to make sure that it is cut correctly.
To check the cut of a diamond, make sure that you can see its outline when you hold it up to a light source. If the outline is too thick or too thin, you’ll know that the diamond has been cut incorrectly.
There are many different cuts to choose from. Some of the most popular include:
Oval
Brilliant
Emerald
Princess
Trilliant
Briolette
Cabochon
Pear
Octagon
Triangle
What Does Color Mean?
Diamonds are graded based on their color, so a diamond with a light hue would be considered a colorless diamond. In order for a diamond to be considered colorless, it needs to be completely clear.
Let's face it, very few of us have the budget for a completely colorless diamond. So, if you are looking for a diamond that is nearly colorless, the best you can do is try to find one that has a slight hint of yellow.
When grading color, you'll typically see two letters: H and I. H stands for "near-colorless," and I stands for "slightly yellow." So, if you want a diamond that is nearly colorless but you can't afford a completely colorless diamond, a near-colorless diamond is a good option.
However, diamonds do not only come in clear or light yellow. There are dozens of color combinations available. Some of the most common diamond colors include:
Red
Green
Pink
Brown
Orange
Blue
Bright yellow
What Does Clarity Mean?
Clarity refers to the number of inclusions that a diamond has. Inclusions are basically defects that you are able to see with the naked eye. The fewer inclusions a diamond has, the more valuable it is.
Diamonds specifically are graded on how pure the gem looks both on the inside and the outside. Internal flaws are referred to as inclusions, but those on the outside of the gemstone are called blemishes.
You will typically see clarity grading for diamonds on a scale from F to VS. F is the lowest grade, and VS is the highest grade, meaning it has the fewest inclusions. If you're looking to find a diamond that has no inclusions, you're going to have to pay a higher price tag for it.
What Does Carat Mean?
Carat refers to the actual weight of the diamond. However, it’s not an accurate way to gauge the value of a diamond because carats don’t take into account the cut of the diamond.
If you have two diamonds with the same carat weight, but one is cut well, and the other is not, the one that's been cut well is going to be worth much more than the one that hasn't been cut properly. If you want to get the most out of your diamond, make sure that it's been cut properly.
Adding In a Fifth C - Customization
Going beyond cut, color, clarity, and carat, there is also the aspect of customization to consider. What you get out of your jewelry is also factored out of what you put into it. If you go with a simple ring with a metal band and stone on top, for example, then the value of the ring is in the metal and the stone. However, if you customize that ring further, the value increases.
You could opt to change out the gem, add etching to the band, or even surround the focal point gem with other gemstones. This simple choice makes the ring more beautiful and valuable at the same time.
What can you customize? You can truly customize any and every aspect of your jewelry. You can pick the metal the jewelry is made from, the actual design of the jewelry, the carat weight of the diamond, and more. You can customize anything that is part of your jewelry.
Importance of Getting Custom Jewelry
If you want to get the most out of your money, you need to at least consider getting custom jewelry. By getting custom jewelry, you can get the highest-quality materials for your budget while still choosing a design that is meaningful to you and your partner.
You get to select the materials, carat weight, design, and everything else that goes into making your jewelry. This means that when you get custom jewelry, you get to maximize the value of your money.
You get to get the best diamonds, pearls, or other materials for the best price. This also makes the jewelry more meaningful because you are able to select the design and materials yourself without having to follow someone else’s design.
Customization gives you a chance to get creative and put a personal touch on your jewelry. You can include things like birthstones, your partner's favorite gemstones, or even a special inscription that only the two of you will know about.
Getting the Best Quality Of A Piece Of Jewelry By Knowing Its C’s
Now that we know what each “C” of modern jewelry means, we can better understand how they impact the value of a piece of jewelry. Let’s take a look at a few examples.
Example one: You are shopping for a diamond engagement ring, and you want to make sure you are getting a diamond that has been cut properly. This means that the diamond is going to shine the brightest, and it will have the highest value possible. Now you know to look for the proper cut, and you know what the codes mean so you can ensure you get the best quality gem possible.
Example two: You are shopping for a diamond necklace, so the same applies. However, because the diamond is resting against your skin, you want to make sure it doesn’t have any inclusions or blemishes that would impede the sparkle of the gem. This can be hard to do when shopping online.
Example three: You are shopping for diamond stud earrings where a lower-quality diamond is okay. This is because the diamond is being viewed from the side, and you don't want to be able to see its flaws. The stud is also typically encasing the gem, making it more challenging to notice imperfections or slight color variations.
The more you understand about the modern C’s in jewelry, the more you will be able to stop a piece of jewelry that is an excellent investment. All fine jewelry purchases must be given the same respect as a long-term investment. The right piece of jewelry will gradually gain value over time.
Carats & Stones Is Here to Help with Your Modern Jewelry Selection
Jewelry has been around for thousands of years, and people have been purchasing it as a way to express themselves, show their love, or commemorate special occasions for almost as long. Before you make a purchase, you’ll want to make sure you know what the C’s of modern jewelry mean.
The more you know about jewelry before stopping into the store, the more confident you can be in making a purchase. Your other option is to find a jewelry store that can explain the C’s of modern jewelry to you so you can understand the overall value of the jewelry you are looking at.
The next time you want to find the perfect jewelry type that suits you and your partner, stop into Carats & Stones. We will take the time to explain what the C’s mean so that you feel confident in your purchases.
We also offer custom jewelry, so if you want to come in and design something special for someone in your life, we can help. You can pick out the gems, materials, designs, and more.
Contact Carats & Stones today. Let us know what you are looking for, and we will let you know how we can help!
