Like mined diamonds, lab made diamonds are assessed for excellence using gemology’s 4Cs – cut, clarity, color and carat weight. Mastering diamond grading for these four characteristics enables identifying the finest lab diamonds.
Cut:
Cut determines how well a diamond refracts and reflects light. Precise faceting angles and alignments create optimal brilliance and fire. Lab diamonds are often cut with greater precision than natural diamonds, receiving higher “excellent” and “ideal” cut grades for maximum sparkle.
Clarity:
Most lab diamonds achieve flawless or internally flawless clarity ratings. Their manufactured growth in regulated lab settings minimizes imperfections unlike natural diamond formation deep underground. Only minor blemishes visible under 10x magnification will lower lab diamond clarity grades.
Color:
Colorless diamonds with ratings of D-F are most desirable. Lab diamonds commonly fall within this near colorless or completely colorless range, exhibiting icy white brilliance without yellowish tints. Strict monitoring during creation prevents chemical impurities that induce color.
Carat:
Larger lab diamonds over 1 carat remain costly but still undercut equivalent mined diamond prices. Given identical ratings in the other 3Cs, opting for a higher carat lab diamond compared to mined offers more size and sparkle for budget.
Overall, grading lab diamonds using the 4Cs shows they meet or surpass natural diamond quality standards. Labs control the production variables that dictate cut, clarity and color ratings. This enables delivering pristine stones surpassing what geology alone can produce. Scrutinizing the 4Cs proves lab diamonds’ deserved status among the diamond elite.
