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Read on to learn more about how all diamonds are selected and graded, plus what makes Forevermark diamonds stand out.

Luckily, when you buy a Forevermark diamond, you can relax knowing that most of the hard work has already been done for you. As part of The De Beers Group of Companies, which has over 125 years of expertise in diamonds, Forevermark goes beyond the basics of the standard 4Cs to hand-pick the world’s most beautiful diamonds. And when it comes to the last of those 4Cs—cut—the company’s new Black Label collection rises above the rest.

the sparkle you see when the diamond moves

flashes of color seen within the diamond

white light reflected from the internal and external surfaces of the stone

A diamond’s cut is the only one of the 4Cs not determined by nature, and it directly affects how light reflects within the stone, creating brilliance, fire and scintillation. That’s why it’s a very important “C” to consider. In an ideal cut, the mirror-like facets will be perfectly polished and symmetrical, but when the proportions are off (say, if the cut is too deep or too shallow) or the facets aren’t perfectly symmetrical, the diamond’s sparkle won’t be as bright. Forevermark only accepts diamonds with the highest cut grades—Very Good or Excellent—and these top-of-the-line cuts command higher prices. The company’s new Black Label diamond collection goes even further when it comes to cut, with a focus on supreme symmetry and maximum light reflection. The difference lies in where and how the cuts are placed: Each is hand-crafted and measured down to the micron to produce a “Compass of Light™,” a symmetrical pattern of arrows within the stone’s geometry that makes that sparkle even more jaw-dropping.

CUT

While it’s technically not one of the 4Cs, a diamond’s shape may be the most important factor when it comes to style. Each rough diamond gets evaluated to determine the shape it’s best suited for. For example, more uniform natural stones are more likely to be cut into round diamonds, while less uniform stones might be better for a fancy shape.

SHAPE

Surprise! Carats measure the weight, not the size, of a diamond. So just because a stone has more carats, doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll look larger—other factors like shape and cut can affect the size. But of all the 4Cs, the carat weight has the biggest impact on price, especially since larger diamonds are more rare. (Think of the 45+-carat Hope diamond, estimated to be worth over $200 million!)

CARAT

Diamond color is graded on a scale from D (no hue) to Z (light color). However, the difference between colorless (D, E and F) and near colorless stones (G, H and I) is so subtle, you can’t tell just by looking at them. In the grading process, experts inspect a diamond’s color against a pure white background under carefully controlled lighting. Generally, the more colorless the stone, the rarer it is, and the higher the price—except in the case of extremely rare colors, like green or red. Forevermark only selects diamonds that are graded between letters D and L on the color scale.

COLOR

Clarity refers to the level of impurities (called inclusions and blemishes) visible when the diamond is examined under 10x magnification. Inclusions naturally take shape as the diamond is formed, while blemishes are marks on the surface of the stone that usually occur during processing. When a diamond is graded, an expert looks at it from every angle to see how these imperfections affect its overall appearance. Forevermark only selects from diamonds ranging from Flawless to Slightly Included, making sure any inclusions don’t affect the stone’s beauty.

CLARITY

Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring

Why mess with a classic?

Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring

of male and female same-sex couples choose diamond solitaires

Love the milgrain details

Vintage Diamond Engagement Ring

A split pavé band has a delicate feel

Ideal Square Engagement Ring

The double band looks like a cute bow tie!

Bow Tie Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring

Solitaire Channel Engagement Ring

of women want a setting with multiple diamonds

Odessa Diamond Band

Looks as great from the side as from the top!

Center of my Universe™ Halo Engagement Ring

prefer white gold or platinum settings

You can’t go wrong with a truly timeless style

New Aire Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring

Rose gold accents are so on-trend

Vintage Engagement Ring

Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring

Cushion cut stones are becoming a more popular pick

A halo plus pavé equals maximum sparkle

Center of my Universe® Halo Engagement Ring

A cool twist on a classic solitaire

Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring

An eye-catching partner for any engagement ring

Eternity Diamond Wedding Band

5 halo settings make a shimmering statement

Center of My Universe Halo Diamond Band

of women prefer a pavé setting

Two Row Diamond Engagement Ring

Halo settings are more popular than ever! (22% of women rock this style)

Flowerette Engagement Ring

Pair your ring with line of cushion-cut diamonds

Silk Cushion Cut Diamond Anniversary Band

A filigree setting gives it vintage flair

Vintage Engagement Ring

You can’t go wrong with any of these beauties, all featuring Forevermark Black Label diamonds.

Radiant

Asscher

Pear

Marquise

Heart

Oval

Square

Cushion

Princess

49% of women wear this most popular shape

Round

Source: 2015 Jewelry & Engagement Study

of women wear this most popular shape

Shape

While technically not one of the 4Cs, shape is an important style factor.

of women had a preference for stone shape/cut

CUT

A diamond’s cut is the only one of the 4Cs not determined by nature

of grooms would rather buy a smaller, better quality diamond than a larger stone of lesser quality.

of women would rather have a smaller, better quality diamond than a larger stone of lesser quality.

Source for all stats: The Knot 2015 Jewelry & Engagement Study

CARAT

CT 2.00

CT 1.50

CT 1.00

Surprise! Carats measure the weight, not the size

CLARITY

Clarity refers to the level of visible impurities

Included

Slightly Included

Flawless

COLOR

Diamond color is graded on a scale from D to Z

Light (Z)

Very Light Yellow (N)

Colorless (D)

Compass of Light™ Oval

Compass of Light™ Square

Compass of Light™ Round

Compass of Light™ Cushion

Good

Very Good

Excellent

Standard Square

Black Label Square

Learn about the most common characteristics used to assess a diamond’s quality.

Click to Read More

We know that buying a diamond comes with plenty of big decisions—how much to spend, what setting to choose, what shape you like best. But trying to assess its quality can be the most intimidating part of all. How can you tell the difference between two diamonds that look so similar, but come with such very different price tags? Don’t panic! Whether you’re shopping for an engagement ring, your wedding bands or another special piece of jewelry, we’re here to help with an easy guide to picking diamonds like a pro.

The Mark of Approval After all testing is complete, the elite diamonds are inscribed with the Forevermark icon and a unique number. While it’s invisible to the naked eye, this inscription allows the owner to register the diamond in his or her name.

The Ultimate Test At the Forevermark Diamond Institute, highly-experienced experts use state-of- the-art technology to examine the finished cut diamonds, putting them through a rigorous 17-step testing process to make sure each one meets Forevermark quality and beauty standards.

Cushion, Square, Oval and Round

A Cut Above the Rest Each diamantaire carefully cuts and polishes the rough diamonds with exact precision, making sure every facet reflects the maximum amount of light. With the Black Label collection, Forevermark raises the bar even higher. Available in four different shapes, Black Label diamonds are hand-cut in new patterns that are optimized for unmatched sparkle. Compared side by side with standard cut stones, they clearly outshine any other diamond.

Sorted to Find the Best After leaving the mine, diamonds are sorted by expert diamantaires—skilled craftsmen who assess their natural color, size and shape. Only those that meet Forevermark’s high standards move on to the next step, cutting and polishing.

Sourced Responsibly Forevermark diamonds only come from mines that meet stringent business, social and environmental practices. And throughout the diamond’s journey, as it goes from rough stone to that sparkler on your finger, the company also makes it a priority to support the advancement of women and to protect the natural world. 39% of brides and 36% of grooms would pay more for ethically sourced stones.

Here’s why less than one percent of the world’s diamonds meet the Forevermark standard.

Find your nearest Forevermark Authorized Retailer.

Get up close and personal with the supreme symmetry of Black Label diamonds that allows the Compass of Light™ to emerge.

Follow @forevermarkUSA and don’t forget to add #Forevermark and #TheKnotRings to all of your engagement ring photos.