Exquisite Diamond Jewelry – Timeless Elegance & Brilliance

Understanding the 4 C's of Diamond Excellence

The Art and Science of Diamond Excellence

At Malani Jewelers, we believe that understanding diamonds enhances your appreciation of their timeless beauty. Every diamond tells a unique story through its characteristics, and knowing the 4 C's—Cut, Clarity, Carat, and Color—empowers you to make an informed choice that will bring joy for generations.

Our expert gemologists carefully evaluate each diamond using internationally recognized standards to ensure you receive only the finest quality stones in our exquisite jewelry collection.

Explore the 4 C's of Diamonds

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Diamond Cut

The Foundation of Brilliance

The beauty of a diamond's sparkle is the result of how well it has been cut. The aspects of cut that contribute most to a diamond's beauty are proportion, symmetry and polish.

Although nature determines the characteristics of a piece of diamond rough, the hands of the master cutter release its fire and brilliance. When a diamond is cut to exacting proportions—neither too deep nor too shallow—light will reflect inside the stone from one mirror-like facet to another and reappear to the eye in a flash of spectral colors.

Cut Quality Factors:
  • Proportion: The relationship between size, angles, and ratios
  • Symmetry: How precisely the facets align and intersect
  • Polish: The smoothness and luster of the diamond's surface
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Perfect Cut Diamond
Light reflects beautifully through precisely cut facets
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Diamond Clarity

The Measure of Perfection

Almost all diamonds have slight internal and surface characteristics, most of them too small to be seen by the unaided eye. When viewed using a magnification of 10X, they can take various forms such as tiny crystals, clouds or feathers.

To determine a diamond's clarity grade, a gemologist will consider its size, location, quantity and nature. Diamonds possessing no such characteristics are categorized as Flawless (FL) or Internally Flawless (IF). In general, the greater the imperfections are in number and size, the lower the clarity grade.

Clarity Grading Scale:
FL - IF Flawless to Internally Flawless
VVS1 - VVS2 Very, Very Slightly Included
VS1 - VS2 Very Slightly Included
SI1 - SI2 Slightly Included
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10X Magnification
Professional clarity grading under precise conditions
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Diamond Carat Weight

Size and Rarity Combined

A diamond's size is measured by weight, expressed in carats divided into points. A carat equals 100 points or 1/5 of a gram. Diamonds of higher carat weight are generally more valuable because they are found less frequently in nature.

But diamonds of equal carat weight may vary greatly in value because they differ in the quality of their cut, color and clarity. Therefore weight alone is a poor guide for evaluating a diamond, since it is a complex combination of factors that determines a diamond's beauty and quality.

Carat Weight Reference:
1 Carat = 100 Points = 0.2 Grams
0.5 Carat = 50 Points = 0.1 Grams
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Precision Weighing
Accurate measurement to 1/1000th of a carat
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Diamond Color

The Absence of Color is Perfection

Though diamonds are transparent, almost all diamonds display some slight hint of color. A diamond's color is assessed against a scale from D through Z—based on a standardized color grading system that has been internationally accepted since the 1950s.

Diamonds from the top three grades (D, E, and F) are deemed colorless; they are the rarest and the most valuable.

Color Grading Scale:
D - F Colorless Exceptional white, rarest grade
G - J Near Colorless Excellent value, minimal color
K - M Faint Good value with slight warmth
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Color Grading
Professional assessment under controlled lighting

Diamond Fluorescence

In gemology, fluorescence refers to the property some diamonds have of glowing when exposed to ultraviolet light. When such diamonds are observed under incandescent or natural light, they can often have a milky appearance—even when they have good clarity.

Fluorescence Intensity Levels:

None 65-70%
Faint 15-20%
Medium 6-8%
Strong 3-5%

Your Diamond Selection Guide

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Expert Tip

Focus on cut quality first—it has the greatest impact on a diamond's beauty and brilliance.

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Best Value

Consider G-H color with VS2-SI1 clarity for the optimal balance of beauty and value.

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Eye Clean

Choose diamonds where inclusions are not visible to the naked eye for maximum beauty.

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Certification

Always select certified diamonds from reputable labs like GIA, AGS, or GCAL.

Discover Our Diamond Collection

Explore our expertly curated selection of certified diamonds, each chosen for exceptional beauty and quality.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Cut is generally considered the most important factor because it has the greatest impact on a diamond's beauty and brilliance. A well-cut diamond will appear more brilliant and fiery, even if it has lower grades in other areas.

The best way is to have the diamond examined by a certified gemologist using 10x magnification. For practical purposes, choose a diamond that appears "eye clean"—meaning no inclusions are visible to the naked eye when viewed face-up.

Fluorescence can affect both appearance and value. Strong fluorescence may cause a diamond to appear milky or cloudy in natural light, potentially reducing its value. However, faint to medium fluorescence often has minimal impact on appearance.

Carat refers to the weight of the diamond (1 carat = 0.2 grams), while size refers to the diameter and overall dimensions. Two diamonds of the same carat weight can appear different sizes depending on their cut proportions and depth.

This depends on personal preference and budget. Generally, a smaller diamond with excellent cut, good clarity, and color will appear more beautiful than a larger diamond with poor characteristics. Quality over quantity often provides better long-term satisfaction.

Look for diamonds certified by reputable, independent laboratories such as GIA (Gemological Institute of America), AGS (American Gem Society), or GCAL (Gem Certification & Assurance Lab). These provide unbiased, accurate grading reports.