You've heard of the 4Cs: Color, Clarity, Carat Weight and Cut. Scroll down to learn more.

Color grade measures the diamond's natural body color, based on an internationally recognized scale, from D, the rarest, or colorless, to Z, a progressively deeper tint of either yellow or brown. Color in diamonds can be enhanced by attractive jewelry settings.

Clarity is determined by objectively evaluating a diamond's purity under high magnification. It measures the presence of tiny, often microscopic characteristics that are called "inclusions" or nature's birthmarks. The highest clarity grades, Flawless (F) and Internally Flawless (IF), are given to the rarest diamonds. More common grades are VVS, VS, SI, and I, where the V stands for "very," the S for "slightly," and the I for "Included." Most inclusions do not compromise the beauty of a diamond.

A Carat is a unit of weight, 200 milligrams, or 1/5 gram. Gemstones are measured in carats and points, with 100 points equal one carat (ct).

Cut is sometimes referred to as the "make." It describes how a diamond has been proportioned and finished to maximize its beauty. The height of the crown (top part of the diamond) in ideal proportion to the depth of the pavilion (distance from the culet to the girdle) allow for maximum fire and brilliance.

4Cs video courtesy of Sarin Technologies. For more about Sarin, visit www.sarin.com