Diamond Guide
Choosing a diamond is all about understanding what makes each stone unique. Our Diamond Guide breaks down diamond shapes and the 4 C’s—Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat Weight—so you can better understand diamond quality and make a confident, informed choice when selecting your perfect stone.
Whether you’re building an engagement ring or a timeless piece to celebrate a special moment, we’re here to help you find a diamond that reflects your style and story.
From timeless round brilliant diamonds to Asscher cut diamonds, an engagement ring center stone shape is the foundation upon which a design is built.
Perceived Size: Elongated shapes like oval, marquise, and pear can appear larger than rounds of the same carat weight.
Setting: Prong styles can enhance a diamond’s shape while protecting vulnerable points.
Style: Each shape creates a distinct look—from the bold, modern princess cut to the soft, vintage feel of oval and cushion shapes.
A diamond’s overall proportions, as well as the size and position of its facets, make up the cut. The consistency and balance of these can greatly affect how the stone captures light and reflects it back to the eye.
Diamond color is graded on a D-to-Z scale, measuring the absence of color. D–F diamonds are colorless, while G–J are near-colorless with subtle warmth. Lower grades show more visible yellow or brown tones, while fancy color diamonds feature distinct, vibrant hues.
A diamond’s clarity is measured by the existence or absence of visible flaws, graded from flawless to included.
Carat refers to the diamond’s weight. You may also hear the weight of a diamond referred to in points. One carat is equivalent to 100 points, so a 75-point diamond is equal to 0.75 carats. Because they are rarer, larger diamonds have greater value per carat. Therefore, the price of a diamond rises exponentially in regards to its size.
Whitmire Fine Jewelry has been helping customers discover and create unique pieces of jewelry since 1972. From engagement rings and wedding bands to custom-designed pieces and everyday jewelry, we offer a personal experience tailored to each customer. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone, searching for the perfect gift, or creating something truly one-of-a-kind, our knowledgeable team is here to help bring your vision to life.
