Diamond Cut Vs. Clarity: What’s More Important – Diamond Clarity or Cut?

Should you choose a flawless diamond or one that shines the brightest?  The debate of diamond cut vs clarity is not uncommon, and can leave most customers in a dilemma. Even a small change in any of the 4Cs can leave a great impact on the overall price of the diamond ring. This is why it's important to know which one is more important within the 4 C's of diamond when it comes to diamond cut vs diamond clarity.

This blog explains the differences between diamond cut and diamond clarity and helps you understand which one impacts a diamond's appearance more. By the end of this blog, you will be able to make a smart choice within your budget when it comes to purchasing lab-grown and natural diamonds Vancouver.

The 4Cs of Diamond Quality: What Are They?

The quality of natural and lab grown diamonds Vancouver is determined using the 4 Cs: Cut, Clarity, Color, and Carat weight. It was first coined by the founder of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Robert M. Shipley, in the 1940s. Each of these factor play an important role in the appearance and price of the diamond. Learn more about them here:

• Cut – The diamond cut refers to how well a diamond's facets can interact with the light. It affects the sparkle of the diamond.
• Clarity – The diamond clarity refers to how flawless the diamond is. Most diamonds have small imperfections called inclusions (internal) or blemishes (external).
• Color – This measures how colorless a diamond is. This does not include "fancy colored" diamonds.
• Carat weight – The carat weight of the diamond is a measurement unit for the diamond's weight. It must be noted that two diamonds of the same carat weight can look completely different in size because of the diamond cut and shape.

Recommended: The 4Cs of Diamond Quality: What You Should Know as a Buyer

What Is Diamond Cut?

The diamond cut determines how well the diamond reflects light. It’s not the same as the diamond shape (like round or emerald).

The diamond grades to evaluate a diamond's cut include:

• Excellent
• Very Good
• Good
• Fair
• Poor

A diamond with an excellent cut can reflect all the light that enters the diamond. This means it will shine the brightest when compared to diamonds of lower grades. Even if a diamond has great color and clarity, it won’t sparkle much if the cut is poor. It should not be confused with diamond shapes, such as round brilliant and emerald cut shapes.

What Is Diamond Clarity?

The diamond clarity measures the absence of imperfections within a diamond. These flaws are called inclusions if they are found inside the gemstone, and blemishes if they are found on the surface of the diamond.

The clarity grades (from best to lowest) of the diamond are:

• Flawless (FL)
• Internally Flawless (IF)
• Very Very Slightly Included (VVS1, VVS2)
• Very Slightly Included (VS1, VS2)
• Slightly Included (SI1, SI2)
• Included (I1, I2, I3)

In diamonds with clarity grades between VS1 and FL, you won’t be able to see any internal flaws without 10X magnification using professional equipment. These diamonds are considered "eye clean".

Diamond Cut vs Clarity: Which One Affects The Diamond's Appearance More?

Let’s look at a comparison between diamond clarity vs cut to understand what affects the diamond's appearance more:

Read Also: Wedding Band Guide: Things to Consider Before Buying Wedding Bands

Cut vs Clarity: Which Should You Choose First?

When asked which one is more important, cut or clarity, experts and gemologists believe that the cut of a diamond should be given more priority.

Here’s why:

• A well-cut diamond means more sparkle and brilliance.
• Flaws in diamonds are often too small to notice without professional equipment.
• You will get better value per carat when you prioritize cut over clarity.

Example: Choosing Between Two Diamonds

Let’s compare two diamonds to understand which one you should choose - diamond cut quality or diamond clarity:

Diamond A

• 1 carat
• Excellent cut
• VS2 clarity
• H color

Diamond B

• 1 carat
• Good cut
• VVS1 clarity
• H color

Though Diamond B has a higher clarity grade, Diamond A will look more brilliant and attractive due to it being an excellent cut diamond. Unless you are using professional equipment for 10X magnification, you won’t notice the tiny inclusions in Diamond A, but you will definitely notice its brilliance and sparkle.

This proves that a high quality diamond depends more on the cut than the diamond clarity. It has a greater impact on the quality of a diamond when compared with the diamond's clarity.

Other Factors to Consider When Buying a Diamond

Aside from cut and clarity, here are a few more things to keep in mind when choosing the perfect diamond:

1. Always Check the Diamond Report

Before you purchase a diamond, make sure to check the grading report of the diamond online. Reputable gemological institutions such as GIA and IGI provide grading reports online. This helps customers to verify information about the diamond's cut, clarity grade, diamond color, or carat weight online.

2. Set a Realistic Budget

Set a proper budget before you visit any diamond store. This helps you to find the best diamond within a specific price range. Remember, you can always compromise slightly on clarity and color grade to stay within your budget, especially if the diamond still looks clean, bright, and colorless to the naked eye.

3. Understand Carat Weight

A higher carat weight means a larger diamond, but the size doesn't determine a diamond's beauty. A smaller diamond with an excellent cut can outshine a bigger one with poor proportions.

4. Factor in Diamond Color

Choose a diamond color grade that complements your ring's metal. D–F grade diamonds are colorless. G–H are nearly colorless, with no color visible without a trained professional.

5. Balance All 4 Cs Together

Don’t just focus on one of the 4 Cs of diamonds. A diamond with great cut, eye-clean clarity, a good color grade, and the right carat weight will look better compared to the diamond that has the best grade in only one area.

Read More: Lab Grown Diamond Report: Grading and Authenticity Analysis

Final Thoughts

When it comes to diamond cut vs clarity, we have understood that cut matters more than clarity. If you want a diamond that truly sparkles, try to get the diamond with the best cut grade within your budget.