True love is like a diamond. It's resilient, radiant and perfectly unique. No two relationships are identical, just like no two diamonds are alike. At Occasions Fine Jewelry, we believe in preserving memories and creating new ones. So, to help you make your moment unforgettable, we've put together a guide to the 4C's of diamonds. By understanding these components, you can choose the diamond that fits your setting, price point and your incredible love story.

Cut

Many believe that cut is the most important of the 4 C's because it has the biggest impact on the diamond's appearance. Some think it refers to the shape of the diamond, such as round, pear, princess and oval. However, it actually describes how the diamond is proportioned and faceted, creating the ideal symmetry to reflect the maximum amount of light. In short, the cut determines how light flows through the diamond, creating sparkle and shine.

Color

Color is the second most important C and actually refers to the lack of color in a diamond. Diamonds naturally come in a variety of colors including gray, white, yellow, green, brown and pink. But the highest quality and rarest diamonds are colorless, making them almost icy in appearance. GIA values color on a scale of D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown). D, E, F graded diamonds will cost more than diamonds lower on the scale, such as K diamonds, which have a faint color.

Clarity

Clarity refers to how natural imperfections in the diamond are evaluated. Surface flaws are known as "blemishes" while internal defects are called "inclusions". Diamonds with the smallest amount of inclusions receive the highest clarity grades making them more expensive.

But diamonds are unique, not perfect. Natural diamonds are born in the depths of the earth's crust under high pressure and temperature. This means that inclusions and blemishes will inevitably occur. In fact, less than 1% of all diamonds are categorized as "flawless", because it's rare to find a diamond free of inclusions.

Carat

The term carat is often misunderstood. It refers to the diamond's actual weight, not the diamond's size. The word carat comes from "carob" seed, the original unit of weight used by diamond traders. Today a carat weighs about as much as a paperclip.

When it comes to carat, two diamonds of equal carat weight might have different cost depending on cut, color and clarity.

Uncover Your Perfect Diamond at Occasions Fine Jewelry

If you're ready to continue your love story by popping the question, we're here to help you find the perfect diamond for your engagement ring. At Occasions Fine Jewelry, we have an incredible selection of diamonds for you to choose from. And remember if you have any questions, don't hesitate to visit us at 2308 West Loop 250 today. We can't wait to share your special moment with you!