Who came up with the 4C's evaluation method? What does it have to do with diamond evaluation and grading?

Good question!
It was GIA who developed the 4 C's as a universal way for people to understand the characteristics by which diamond quality is assessed: cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. This system is used throughout the world, helping people better understand what they are buying when they buy a diamond. A grading report from GIA is not only a very important part of diamond shopping, but it is the most accurate assessment of the 4 Cs available in the industry.

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Good Question. Robert Shipley came up with this criteria. It was first used in the GIA labs in the 1930s. The Diamond Trading Council – part of DeBeers – standardized this criteria and basically mainstreamed it to the diamond market from wholesale to retail.

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GIA (Gemological Institute of America) is actually the creator and developer of the world renowned and internationally acknowledged 4C's evaluating system. The GIA's Diamond Grading Report is centered around the 4C's method which evaluates diamonds through four distinct categories (all beginning with the letter "C", and hence the name "4C's").

1. Carat: First, diamonds are evaluated according to Carat. A carat is the standardized measurement by which all diamonds and precious gems are measured. In terms of weight, 1 carat is equal to 0.2 grams. Another way of referring to carat weight is by points, where each carat is actually divided into 100 points. For example, a 50 point diamond is just another way of referring to a 0.5 carat diamond. Precision in such measurement is crucial because even the slightest fraction of a carat can make a serious difference in cost.


2. Color: The second aspect of the evaluation is Color. Diamonds are valued according to how colorless they are, i.e. the less color - the higher the value. The scale uses a chart consisting of 24 letters that each represents a different shape, starting from the letter D (which represents "colorless") to the letter Z (which represents "light yellow"). This color chart has become an absolute worldwide standard in the diamond industry. GIA's professionals are able to distinguish between color subtleties that appear to be invisible to the untrained eye. However slight these differences are, they make a very big difference in diamond quality and price.


3. Clarity: The third C in the list of the 4C's evaluation criteria stands for Clarity. Diamonds often contain unique birthmarks, either internal (inclusions) or external (blemishes). Diamond clarity refers to the absence of these inclusions or blemishes. Diamonds without these birthmarks are rare, and rarity is an important factor when calculating the diamond's value. Using the GIA International Grading System, the clarity value of each diamond is carefully assessed. The scale ranges from flawless clarity (FL) at best to obvious inclusions (I3) as worst.


4. Cut: The fourth and final C in GIA 4C's represents Cut. A diamond's cut is greatly responsible for showcasing a diamond's fire, sparkle and brilliance. Being able to analyze and evaluate a diamond by its cut is extremely difficult and could be done only by professionals who use special equipments to do so. The cut of any diamond is basically graded according to three different attributes: brilliance (the total light reflected from a diamond), fire (the dispersion of light into the colors of the spectrum), and scintillation (the flashes of light, or sparkle, when a diamond is moved). These attributes are extremely difficult to assess as cuts can be as small as two millimeters in diameter.

The 4C's method developed by GIA over 50 years ago has become internationally accredited throughout the diamond industry. Based on this evaluation method, GIA is able to provide Diamond Grading Reports to both wholesale and retail customers. Such reports really provide the peace of mind necessary with such expensive purchases, and there is no doubt that they will continue to do so in the foreseeable future.

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