Carat: It's Weight, Not Size

Carat refers to a diamond’s weight, not its visible size, as commonly misconstrued. One carat equals 200 milligrams and is divided into 100 points, so a 0.50-carat diamond is commonly referred to as a 50-pointer in the industry. Two diamonds with the same carat weight can appear different in size because their proportions and weight distribution may vary. A well-cut diamond can distribute more of its weight toward the upper portion, giving it a larger face-up appearance. Moral of the story? Don't chase carat alone, it's only one piece of the puzzle.

Cut: The One That Actually Makes It Sparkle

If you only remember one C, make it this one. Cut is what decides how light bounces inside a diamond and comes back out as that gorgeous sparkle. Get the cut right, and even a smaller diamond can outshine a bigger, poorly-cut one.

Here's how the grades break down, from best to "please don't":

• Ideal Cut – The gold standard (pun intended). Near-flawless proportions and symmetry for maximum light return.

• Excellent Cut – Offers maximum brilliance with exceptional light reflection. 

• Very Good Cut – Almost as much sparkle as Excellent, for noticeably less money. A genuine sweet spot.

• Good Cut – Delivers average sparkle and brilliance, suitable for budget-friendly decision making.

• Fair Cut – This offers minimum sparkle as light escapes instead of bouncing back.

• Poor Cut – Appears dull and lifeless, no matter how big or "clean" the stone is.

Colour: How Does a Diamond Look?

Diamond colour grading runs on a scale from D to Z. D being completely colourless, and the further down the alphabet you go, the more warmth appears. .

• D, E, F (Colourless) – The most sought after  diamonds. Pairs beautifully with any metal.

• G, H, I, J (Near Colourless) – G and H diamonds show a very subtle hint of yellow that is almost invisible to the naked eye, while I and J diamonds display a slightly more significantly warm hue.

• K to Z (Faint to Light Yellow) – Significantly warmer tones. Not technically "colorless" diamonds anymore.

• Fancy Colours – Highly sought-after colours like pink, yellow, blue, they range from soft pastel shades to vivid, intense hues, with colour strength and rarity greatly influencing their value. 

Here's a little secret: most people can't spot the difference between a D and a G once it's set in a ring. Your eyes won't know, but your wallet definitely will.

Clarity: Nature Leaves Fingerprints Too

Every diamond forms under extremely high temperature and pressure so it's no surprise most carry tiny natural marks called inclusions (inside the diamond) or blemishes (outside the diamond). Clarity grades are categorized as follows:

• Internally Flawless (IF) – No visible inclusions under close professional inspection. 

• VVS1 / VVS2 – Inclusions so tiny even a trained grader finds it difficult to perceive.

• VS1 / VS2 – Minor inclusions, invisible to the naked eye. This is the sweet spot of “premium look for less price”.

• SI1 / SI2 – Visible on closer inspection , usually still visually clean depending on placement.

• I1 / I2 / I3 – Inclusions visible to the naked eye, these may affect the diamond’s overall appearance.

So... How Do You Actually Balance All This?

Most people start with a carat weight, because that's usually what's been dreamed about. Once that's set, the rest falls into place around it: pick the best Cut your for maximum sparkle, choose a Clarity grade that stays visually clean, and settle on a Colour that faces up bright. That's the whole strategy, carat sets the starting point, and the other three Cs shape the diamond around it.

Ekaraa's 4Cs: Because a Grading Report Isn't the Whole Story

 A grading report can tell you almost everything about a diamond. It can't tell you who designed it, who crafted it, or whether the people behind it actually care about getting it right for you. That's where our 4Cs come in. 

• Creativity – Every Ekaraa piece starts as an idea that goes beyond what's trending. We don't limit our creativity to gemstones, our design language stretches across materials like ceramic and gold of various carat, so there's a piece for every personality and occasion. Creativity, for us, means giving you more ways to express yourself. 

• Craftsmanship – Behind every Ekaraa piece is a team of skilled artisans who bring together traditional techniques and modern precision. From the first sketch to the final polish, every setting, prong, and edge is finished with care, so the piece doesn't just look good, it feels good to wear every single day.

• Credibility – With Ekaraa, what you see is what you get. We're upfront about your diamond's details, the materials used, and the process behind your piece, no fine print, no surprises. Our team is always around to guide you honestly, whether you're buying your first piece or your fifth. It’s this transparency and trust that keeps our customers coming back to us, time and time again. 

• Customisation –At Ekaraa, customisation is at the heart of what we do. Most of our clients come to us with an idea, a reference, or simply a vision they want to bring to life. We work closely with you to understand your preferences, translate them into a detailed 3D design, and refine every element together before production begins. Nothing moves into crafting until you’re completely happy with the design, so the final piece is created specifically for you, rather than chosen from a catalogue.  It's your piece, made your way, from the very first sketch.  

Because honestly? The perfect diamond isn't just the one with the best grade on paper, it's the one that actually means something to you.

Ready to find (or design) yours? Explore Ekaraa's collection and let's make it official.