Before you spend thousands on a diamond, understand the 4 Cs. Not to become an expert — but to make smarter tradeoffs. At Solomon Jewelers in Wichita, we walk every customer through this.
Cut — The Most Important C
Cut is the single biggest factor in how beautiful a diamond looks. A well-cut diamond reflects light brilliantly. Cut grades run from Excellent/Ideal down to Poor. Never compromise on cut. If budget is tight, sacrifice color or clarity before cut. Read why in our budget guide.
Color — Less Is More
Diamond color is graded D (colorless) to Z (yellow/brown). In practice, G or H color is the sweet spot — near-colorless, beautiful, and meaningfully less expensive than D–F. Choosing between lab and natural? Read our lab vs natural comparison.
Clarity — Most Inclusions Are Invisible
VS2 or SI1 is the sweet spot for most buyers. Inclusions at these grades are not visible to the naked eye. You need a loupe or microscope to find them.
Carat — It's Weight, Not Size
Carat is a unit of weight (1 carat = 0.2 grams), not physical size. A well-cut 1-carat round can look bigger than a poorly cut 1.2-carat. Shape also matters — read our oval vs round guide for how shapes affect perceived size.
See Diamonds in Person
Grading reports tell you a lot, but nothing replaces seeing a diamond in person. Come into Solomon Jewelers in Wichita and we'll show you diamonds at different grades side by side.