If you work with diamonds, you’ve likely heard of the 4 Cs: Cut, Clarity, Color, and Carat. These are the industry-standard factors that determine a diamond’s beauty, quality, and value. But at Rising Star Diamond, we like to take it one step further by introducing a 5th C — Certification — because in today’s market, transparency and flexibility are just as important as the diamond itself.
Whether you’re sourcing a single center stone or an entire layout for your next design, here’s what you need to know about the 5 Cs—and how Rising Star Diamond can help you find the perfect match.
Cut: The Key to Brilliance
Cut is what gives a diamond its sparkle. It determines how light enters the stone, bounces around, and returns to the eye. A well-cut diamond is bright, fiery, and full of life. A poorly cut one, even with high clarity and color, can appear dull or flat.
There are three key components of a great cut:
- Cut Quality – Precise angles and proportions maximize brilliance and fire.
- Symmetry – Every facet must be in perfect alignment to reflect light properly.
- Polish – A high-quality polish creates a glassy, reflective surface that enhances overall sparkle.
At Rising Star Diamond, we specialize in well-cut diamonds across a variety of shapes and sizes—ideal for solitaires, side stones, and fully matched layouts.
Color: Less is More
In the world of diamonds, color isn’t about how much pigment a stone has—it’s about how little. The GIA color scale ranges from D (completely colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown). The less color present, the more rare and valuable the stone.
We offer a full spectrum of white diamonds, from icy D color to warmer near-colorless hues. Our inventory includes both certified and non-certified options, giving you the flexibility to choose what works best for your design and budget.
A note on fluorescence: Some diamonds glow under UV light, typically blue but sometimes yellow or orange. While faint fluorescence can enhance lower-color diamonds, strong fluorescence in high-color stones can cause a hazy look—something to consider when sourcing.
And don’t forget fancy colors. Pink, blue, green, and yellow diamonds occur naturally and fall outside the traditional scale. These rare gems are prized for their uniqueness and are graded differently than white diamonds.
Clarity: What’s Inside Counts
Clarity measures how clean a diamond is from the inside out. Natural imperfections, called inclusions (internal) and blemishes (external), form as the diamond grows.
The clarity scale ranges from FL (Flawless) to I3 (Included), based on how visible these imperfections are under 10x magnification.
- Internal inclusions may look like pinpoints, clouds, or crystals.
- External blemishes can include scratches or surface marks.
Each certified diamond will include a diagram showing the type and location of these features — internal ones marked in red, and external in green.
At Rising Star Diamond, we carry everything from eye-clean SI goods to VVS and higher. Whether you're designing a luxury engagement ring or a fashion-forward piece, we’ll help you find a clarity grade that aligns with your aesthetic and price point.
Carat: Size vs. Scale
Carat refers to a diamond’s weight, not necessarily its visual size. One carat equals 0.20 grams, and while heavier stones are generally more valuable, they should always be evaluated in context.
For example, a 1.00ct diamond with poor cut may look smaller—or perform worse—than a well-cut 0.90ct stone. The other Cs still matter.
Our team at Rising Star Diamond can help you find stones that balance size and quality, especially when matching stones for eternity bands, earrings, or custom layouts.
Certification: The 5th C
In today’s diamond world, Certification is crucial. A reputable grading report, such as one from GIA, provides third-party assurance of a stone’s attributes—giving both you and your client peace of mind.
We offer:
- GIA-Certified Diamonds – Ideal for clients who value verified quality and detailed reports.
- Non-Certified Goods – Perfect for layouts, accent stones, or budget-conscious projects where flexibility is key.
Whether you’re sourcing a single certified diamond or building out a large non-certified parcel, our team will guide you through the options that align with your design needs.
Let’s Source Smarter
At Rising Star Diamond, we’re not just here to sell—we’re here to support your sourcing process with expert guidance, tailored service, and stones you can count on.
Have a specific layout or shape in mind? Need to work within a budget? Let’s talk—we’re ready to find your perfect match.
