The four basic characteristics that define the quality of any diamond are called The 4 C's.  They are:  color, clarity, cut and caret weight. These four basic characteristics apply to both diamonds and colored gemstones. Color, Clarity and Caret weight are determined by Mother Nature, but the Cut is directly influenced by the diamond cutter.  We have developed some easy to remember Key Points that will help you in selecting the best value in a diamond. Just click on the subjects listed below for a more detailed explanation of each of the 4-C's.