Diamond & Brilliant: the 4 Cs simply explained

Diamond and brilliant refer to the same gemstone – just in different forms: Every brilliant is a diamond, but not every diamond is a brilliant. The term brilliant describes a diamond in the round brilliant cut with 57 facets – the most common and brilliant cut. How well a diamond sparkles and what it is worth is determined by the so-called 4 Cs: carat, color, clarity, and cut. This guide explains them clearly – so you know exactly what matters when buying.

The two words are often used synonymously but are not the same. A diamond is the gemstone itself – pure, crystallized carbon and the hardest natural material in the world. A brilliant, on the other hand, refers to the cut: a round diamond in full cut with 57 (or 58) facets. This cut was developed to optimally refract and reflect light within the stone – the famous sparkle.

Important to know: The term “brilliant” is reserved exclusively for the round brilliant cut. Other cuts like princess, oval, or emerald are also diamonds but may not be called brilliant. Because the round brilliant cut is by far the most popular, many people commonly refer to “brilliants” when they mean diamond jewelry.

The value and beauty of a diamond cannot be judged at first glance, but by four measurable criteria – the 4 Cs. They come from English and are the worldwide standard for evaluation:

• Carat: the weight of the diamond.
• Color: how colorless the stone is.
• Clarity: how free it is from inclusions.
• Cut: how precisely it was cut – the C with the greatest influence on the sparkle.

The four criteria always work together. A small but perfectly cut and pure diamond can appear more lively than a larger one with a weak cut. Let’s look at the four Cs individually.

Carat (Ct.) is the weight unit for diamonds – not to be confused with carat in gold, which indicates purity. One carat equals 0.2 grams. Larger stones are rarer and therefore disproportionately more expensive: A diamond with 1.00 Ct. costs significantly more than two stones of 0.50 Ct. each.

In everyday jewelry, smaller carat weights are very popular because they sparkle elegantly without appearing bulky. A pendant with a 0.10 Ct. brilliant already sets a beautiful, lively accent. In our gold chains with brilliant, you will find pieces ranging from delicate solitaires to sparkling pavé rows.

The color of a diamond is rated on a scale from D (completely colorless) to Z (noticeably yellowish). The more colorless, the rarer and more precious. For jewelry, grades D to H are especially sought after: They appear clear and white without a visible slight yellow tint.

• D–F: colorless – the highest and rarest category.
• G–H: nearly colorless – an excellent balance of beauty and value.
• I–J: still almost colorless, with a slightly warmer tone.

Set in yellow gold, a brilliant of grade G or H harmonizes wonderfully with the warm gold tone. In white gold, a stone as colorless as possible stands out especially clearly.

Almost every natural diamond carries tiny inclusions – small features formed over millions of years during its creation. Clarity indicates how visible these are. The common scale ranges from flawless to visibly included:

1. IF: flawless, no inclusions at 10x magnification.
2. VVS1–VVS2: very, very small inclusions.
3. VS1–VS2: very small inclusions, not visible to the naked eye.
4. SI1–SI2: small inclusions, usually invisible to the eye – a popular price-performance level.

For a beautiful look in jewelry, the grade SI is a smart compromise: Inclusions are generally not visible to the naked eye, the diamond sparkles fully – and the price level remains pleasant. That's exactly why you will find pieces like a necklace with a 0.10 Ct. H/SI brilliant with us.

The cut is the most important of the four Cs – because it determines how much light the diamond captures and reflects. Even a colorless, pure diamond looks dull if poorly cut. A precise brilliant cut, on the other hand, makes the stone sparkle vividly. The cut is usually graded from Excellent through Very Good to Poor.

The round brilliant cut with its 57 facets is considered the brightest – the reason why brilliant diamonds are so sought after. When buying, it’s worth not skimping on the cut: it has the greatest influence on the impression a diamond jewelry piece makes.

There is no perfect combination – but there is the right balance for your budget. A proven rule of thumb for everyday jewelry:

• Don’t skimp on the cut – it creates the sparkle.
• Color G–H appears clear and white, often without a visible difference to more expensive grades.
• Clarity SI is usually "eye-clean" and budget-friendly.
• Carat as desired – preferably a bit smaller but better cut.

This creates a piece that sparkles vividly in the light without every euro going purely into size. If you are looking for a ring, Splendido Jewelry offers a special selection of gold rings with brilliant diamonds – for example, a 585 gold ring with a brilliant diamond in an open setting.

A brilliant diamond only reveals its true effect through the precious metal that holds it. At Splendido Jewelry, diamonds are set in genuine 585 gold – nickel-free, skin-friendly, and tarnish-resistant, ensuring the jewelry remains beautiful over time. Yellow gold emphasizes warmth, while white gold makes a colorless stone appear especially clear, as in this white gold necklace with a 0.10 Ct brilliant diamond.

Splendido Jewelry does not manufacture diamond jewelry itself but carefully selects each piece from Italian goldsmiths. If you want to decide between precious metals in general, our guide on 585 or 925 and the detailed article on 585 gold will help you.

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