When you think of diamonds, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Sparkle, of course! But behind every dazzling gem, there are four key factors (the 4 Cs) that play an essential role in determining a diamond’s quality. So let’s dive into all the elements that make sure your diamonds are up to snuff. After all, the best pair to beach sand is diamonds and we want to make sure we have the best quality of both for you!

1. Carat

The first C is the most well-known, you’ll often hear jewelry commercials saying “1 carat diamond”, but what does that truly mean? The carat is the unit of measurement for a diamond’s size, so the larger the carat, the larger the diamond. However, it’s not all about size when it comes to selecting your diamonds. Smaller carat diamonds can be more practical and comfortable to wear, especially if you like to wear your diamonds in an everyday work setting. Their understated elegance is perfect for a stunning and practical choice. 

2. Cut

A diamond’s signature sparkle comes from the “Cut”. This second C refers to how a diamond has been shaped in the polishing process, which directly affects how well it will reflect light.  A well-cut diamond will catch the sunlight and send it shining! The cut also creates an aesthetic appeal with symmetry and balance, which makes diamonds the perfect choice for a jewelry piece. 

3. Color

Although we think of diamonds as their own unique hue, diamonds actually come in various colors – from icy white to warm yellow and rare fancy hues. A colorless or near-colorless diamond beautifully complements any piece of jewelry and therefore is highly-prized. As diamonds add slightly more yellow or brown color they become less valuable, but certainly still retain their stunning appearance. 

4. Clarity

The final “C” of diamond quality is known as clarity. When diamonds are formed and found, they have been embedded in the elements for millions of years. This means the diamonds have interacted with all sorts of elements, and sometimes these elements can become a part of the diamond while it forms. These flaws are known as inclusions or blemishes. A high-clarity diamond will have fewer inclusions, while a lower clarity diamond could have blemishes visible to the naked eye. A diamond will maintain its beauty no matter the clarity, but the most flawless gems are the highly sought-after.

Now that you’ve had a quick course on the 4 Cs of diamond quality, it’s time to introduce another C: Cultured. Cultured diamonds are lab-grown, also known as synthetic diamonds. These diamonds are nearly identical to natural diamonds; they have the same chemical composition and hardness and are just as dazzling! Their main difference being the time it takes to make them; Cultured diamonds can be formed in just a few weeks. Dune Jewelry uses Cultured diamonds in our pieces because of the plethora of benefits.

As ocean lovers, the preservation of nature is of utmost importance to us. The mining of diamonds can have negative impacts on the environment, so to avoid any unwanted harm coming to nature, Dune uses lab-grown diamonds! This also works out well for you, because Cultured diamonds are typically less expensive natural diamonds. You can get just as much sparkle for a fraction of the price! Nothing goes better with beach sand than stunning diamonds. 

So yes ladies, it is true, diamonds are a girl’s best friend (especially cultured ones). Browse our selection of Dune Diamonds to get your perfect diamond jewelry today!