4Cs of Lab Grown Diamonds
The 4Cs, made simple.
Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds. They’re created in a controlled environment and have essentially the same chemical, physical and optical properties as natural diamonds. The 4Cs help you understand the sparkle, appearance and weight of the stone you choose.
Our starting point: prioritize sparkle. Then balance color, clarity and carat to suit your style and budget.
Cut brings a diamond to life.
Cut describes how a diamond’s proportions and craftsmanship affect its interaction with light. A well-cut stone looks bright and lively. Shape describes its outline, such as round, oval or emerald.
Color is about subtle warmth.
For diamonds in the D–Z range, color grades describe the amount of yellow or brown tint. D–F is colorless; G–J is near colorless. Fancy-colored diamonds use a different system.
colorless
Colors shown are illustrative, not exact diamond shades.
Clarity looks beneath the surface.
Clarity describes internal features called inclusions and surface features called blemishes. Graders assess them at 10× magnification. Many are too small to notice with the unaided eye.
internally
flawless
slightly
included
included
included
Carat measures weight.
Carat tells you how much a diamond weighs. Its shape, depth and proportions affect how large it looks, so two diamonds of the same weight can look different in size.
A simple way to choose.
-
Start with your style.
Choose a shape and setting you love, then set a comfortable budget.
-
Compare what you can see.
Look at sparkle, color and visible inclusions alongside the stone’s measurements.
-
Check the details together.
Review the specific diamond’s report and ask us to explain its grades before deciding.
A few helpful answers.
Are lab-grown diamonds the same as moissanite or cubic zirconia?
No. Lab-grown diamonds are diamonds. Moissanite and cubic zirconia are different materials that can resemble diamonds. A gemological laboratory can identify a diamond’s natural or laboratory-grown origin.
Do I need the highest grade in every category?
No single combination is right for everyone. Compare the appearance of individual stones and decide which differences matter to you. A higher clarity or color grade may describe a difference that is difficult to see without magnification or a side-by-side comparison.
What’s the difference between center carat weight and total carat weight?
Center carat weight refers to the main diamond. Total carat weight, often written CTW or TCW, adds together all the diamonds in the piece. For example, a 2.00 ct center plus 0.50 ct of accent diamonds equals 2.50 CTW. Confirm which measurement a product’s carat option refers to.
What should I check on a diamond report?
Check the laboratory, report number, laboratory-grown identification, shape, measurements and quality information. Report formats differ: IGI provides individual 4Cs grades, while GIA’s current assessment for colorless-to-near-colorless lab-grown diamonds uses Premium or Standard. Older reports may look different. Ask to see the report that applies to your chosen diamond.
Let’s find your diamond.
Explore our engagement rings, or visit us to compare stones and talk through the details with our team.
Further reading: IGI’s guide to the 4Cs · GIA laboratory-grown diamond reports