Natural Diamond Quality Guide

Every natural diamond is extraordinary in its own way. Understanding its color, clarity, cut and carat weight reveals the characteristics that make each creation unique. Discover the world of exceptional natural diamonds.

The Fundamentals

The Four Cs of Diamonds

Four internationally recognized characteristics help describe a diamond's quality and individuality.

C

Color

The degree to which a diamond is colorless, measured on the internationally recognized D–Z scale.

C

Clarity

The presence or absence of natural internal and external characteristics.

C

Cut

The proportions, symmetry and polish that influence a diamond's brilliance.

C

Carat

The measurement of a diamond's weight, rather than its physical dimensions.

01 — Color

The Pinnacle of Diamond Color

At the highest end of the international diamond color scale are D, E and F — the three grades classified as colorless. These grades represent the most colorless diamonds within the D–Z grading system.

E
Exceptional Colorless

E is the second-highest color grade. Classified as colorless, with differences from D that are extremely subtle.

F
Exceptional Colorless

F is the third-highest color grade, completing the internationally recognized colorless category.

The Complete Diamond Color Scale

D–F Colorless
G–J Near Colorless
K–M Faint
N–R Very Light
S–Z Light

Illustrative color progression only. Actual diamond color is assessed through standardized gemological grading.

Did you know? D, E and F are all classified as colorless. The differences between these grades can be so subtle that they require controlled grading conditions and trained gemologists to distinguish.
02 — Clarity

Understanding Diamond Clarity

Clarity measures the presence of internal characteristics called inclusions and external characteristics called blemishes. Diamonds are graded under 10× magnification.

Grade Classification Understanding the Grade
FL Flawless The highest clarity grade. No inclusions or blemishes visible under 10× magnification.
IF Internally Flawless The second-highest clarity grade. No inclusions visible at 10×; minor external blemishes may exist.
VVS1–VVS2 Very, Very Slightly Included Exceptional clarity. Inclusions are extremely difficult to detect under 10× magnification.
VS1–VS2 Very Slightly Included Very high clarity. Minor inclusions range from difficult to somewhat easy to observe at 10×.
SI1–SI2 Slightly Included Inclusions are noticeable to a trained grader under 10× magnification.
I1–I3 Included Inclusions are obvious at 10× and may affect transparency, brilliance or durability.
The Highest Clarity Grades: FL and IF represent the two highest clarity classifications, followed by the exceptional VVS1 and VVS2 grades. VS1 and VS2 also offer very high clarity.
03 — Cut

The Art of Brilliance

A diamond's cut influences how effectively it reflects and returns light, contributing to its brightness, fire and scintillation. Precise proportions, symmetry and polish are important elements of craftsmanship.

Cut is different from shape. Round, oval, marquise and pear describe diamond shapes. Cut quality describes how successfully a diamond interacts with light. Formal cut grading varies by laboratory and diamond shape.
04 — Carat

Understanding Carat Weight

Carat is a unit of weight used for gemstones. One carat equals 0.20 grams. Diamonds of identical carat weight can appear different in size depending on their proportions and shape.

An important distinction: A higher carat weight does not automatically mean higher quality. Color, clarity, cut and carat weight together contribute to a diamond's overall characteristics.
The Divienne Standard

Our Diamond Selection

Divienne focuses on exceptional natural diamonds, with an emphasis on the highest color and clarity classifications. Our collections celebrate the extraordinary beauty of carefully selected natural diamonds.

High Grade Selection
E–F · VVS / VS

Colorless natural diamonds with exceptional clarity, selected for beauty, brilliance and refinement.

These are Divienne's brand-defined selection categories, not official combined gemological grading classifications. Individual creations may feature other clearly disclosed diamond grades.

Authenticity

Diamond Certification

Independent gemological reports provide important information about a diamond's identity and graded characteristics, supporting transparency and confidence.

GIA

Gemological Institute of America. Internationally recognized for gemological research and diamond grading standards.

IGI

International Gemological Institute. An internationally recognized gemological laboratory providing independent diamond grading and identification reports.

Certification varies by creation. Please refer to the individual product specifications for details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Discover More About Diamonds

What is the highest diamond color grade?

D is the highest possible grade on the internationally recognized D–Z diamond color scale. D, E and F together form the colorless category.

Are E and F diamonds colorless?

Yes. E and F diamonds are officially classified as colorless, alongside D. Their differences are exceptionally subtle and generally require controlled grading conditions to distinguish.

What are the highest diamond clarity grades?

FL (Flawless) is the highest clarity grade, followed by IF (Internally Flawless). VVS1 and VVS2 represent the next exceptionally high clarity classifications.

What grades of natural diamonds does Divienne offer?

Divienne's new collections focus on high-grade natural diamonds, featuring E color, VVS clarity and above.

Our One in a Million collection represents the pinnacle of our diamond selection, focusing on the highest D color grade paired with Flawless (FL) clarity.

Each creation reflects Divienne's commitment to exceptional quality, rarity and timeless beauty.

Does a higher carat weight mean higher quality?

No. Carat measures a diamond's weight, while color, clarity and cut describe other important characteristics. These factors should be considered together.

Are Divienne diamonds certified?

Divienne offers natural diamonds accompanied by GIA or IGI documentation as specified for each creation. Certification details are provided in individual product specifications.

At Divienne, every natural diamond is a celebration of rarity, beauty and individuality. Discover natural diamond jewelry for the one in a million.

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