Carat · the weight
Carat tells you how heavy the diamond is, like weighing a little stone on a scale. It does not tell the whole face-up size: shape and measurements matter too.
A simple guide to diamond and gold quality
What makes a diamond sparkle—and how do you know your gold is pure?
A diamond report is its fact card; a gold hallmark is its quality mark. Learn what each one tells you, what to look for, and how to check it before you buy.
Start with the four CsDIAMOND GRADING REPORT4Cs
Independent grading
IDENTITY
ORIGIN
CARAT · COLOR · CLARITY · CUT
MEASUREMENTS & OTHER DETAILS
A pretend example · your report describes your individual diamond
The four Cs · four clues about a diamond
Four little clues. One big picture.
No one number can tell you if a diamond is right for you. Look at the clues together, then decide what you love most.
Color · the tint
Color tells you how white or warm a diamond looks. On the usual white-diamond scale, closer to D means less visible tint. Tiny differences can be hard to see once set.
Clarity · tiny marks
Clarity is about tiny natural or growth marks. Think of a window with little specks: some marks are easy to see with a magnifier but hard to spot without one.
Cut · the sparkle-maker
Cut is how well the diamond's tiny faces are shaped and lined up. Like a mirror, a good cut can send more light back to your eyes, making the diamond look lively.
Why cut can change the look
A diamond is a tiny light-bouncer.
Light enters the top, meets the diamond's tiny faces, then bounces back out. When those faces are shaped well, more light can return to your eyes. That is why cut often makes a big difference to sparkle.
This simple drawing is only a guide. Real diamonds and lighting are more complicated.
More light comes back
Often looks bright and lively
More light slips away
May look less bright
Good, better, best · what do those words mean?
The best diamond is the one that looks best to you.
These are shopper-friendly ways to compare—not official grades used by grading laboratories.
Lovely and sensible
Looks bright to your eyes, feels right for your budget, and has a report that matches the stone.
A balance you love
Put more of your budget toward the details you notice most — often sparkle and face-up size — then balance the rest.
Worth the extra?
Top grades can be wonderful, but a higher letter or number may be hard to see without a magnifier. Pay more only when that difference matters to you.
A diamond can have a top grade and still not be your favourite. Look at the actual stone, not just the scorecard.
A simple way to shop
Six steps before you say “this one.”
- Pick your budget.Decide what feels comfortable before comparing diamonds.
- Choose a shape you love.Round, oval, pear, and other shapes each look different.
- Look for sparkle.Compare cut details and watch how the diamond looks in ordinary light.
- Check the size in millimetres.Carat is weight. Measurements tell you more about how wide the diamond looks from above.
- Balance color and clarity.Ask what you can see without a magnifier, especially once the diamond is in its setting.
- Read and verify the report.Make sure the report describes the same diamond you are buying.
First, check what kind of diamond it is
Natural or laboratory grown? The report should tell you.
Both are diamonds, but they have different origins. Look for the diamond description and origin on the report so you know exactly what you are choosing. Then compare the 4Cs within that category.
Look for the diamond description and origin wording on the report. If you are unsure what a particular line means, ask the jeweller to walk you through it.
Gold has a quality mark, too
What does a BIS hallmark tell you?
Think of it as a tiny quality label on your gold jewellery. In India, BIS hallmarking gives you a way to check the gold's stated purity—and a unique number you can verify.
At VAIRIS, our gold jewellery is BIS hallmarked. It matters because gold purity affects what you are buying, and the mark gives you something specific to inspect instead of relying on a promise alone.
BIS22K · 916HUID · A1B2C3
Illustrative example only. Markings and fineness vary by item.
- BIS markShows the hallmark is under the Bureau of Indian Standards system.
- Purity / finenessShows the declared gold content. For example, 22K 916 means 916 parts gold per 1,000.
- HUIDA unique six-character alphanumeric ID for that hallmarked article.
How to check before you buy
Look for the BIS mark, fineness and HUID on the jewellery. Open the official BIS Care app, choose “Verify HUID,” and enter the HUID to check the hallmarked item details. If anything does not match, pause and ask the jeweller to explain it.
Have a report number?
Check it with its grading lab.
Think of the report number like a library-book number. Use it on the grading laboratory's official website to find the matching report and compare its details with the diamond.
- 1Find the report number
Look near the top of the printed or digital grading report.
- 2Visit the grading laboratory's website
Use its official report lookup or scan the report's QR code.
- 3Compare the details
Check the origin, shape, measurements, and 4Cs on the online copy against the report and product you are buying.
- 4Ask about a tiny inscription
If the diamond has a laser inscription, ask a jeweller to check that number under magnification against the report.
Not every diamond has a laser inscription. Matching the online report is useful, but the stone and its details should still be checked together.
A useful distinction
A grading report is information, not a price tag.
A grading report is an expert's description of a diamond — not a promise that it will be your favourite, and not a price tag. It is not an appraisal, warranty, or guarantee of resale value. The jewellery price also includes things like the setting, metal, craftsmanship, and taxes.
Common questions
No. Each diamond has its own combination of measurements and grades. Two diamonds with the same carat weight can still differ in cut, color, clarity, and appearance.
No. A grading report records gemological observations; it does not set a retail price or insurance value.
Start with origin, then compare the 4Cs together. Shape, proportions, setting, and how you plan to wear the piece matter too.
More to explore
Stories and guides from VAIRIS.
Keep learning about the details, stories, and care behind fine jewellery.
THE 4Cs
What makes a diamond sparkle?
A friendly guide to diamond grades, reports, and choosing what matters to you.
Explore guide →A PERSONAL STORY
Keep a loved one close
Discover how a personal sample becomes a diamond keepsake, step by step.
Explore guide →SHOP WITH CONFIDENCE
Returns, made simple
See how returns and exchanges work, from request to resolution.
Explore guide →THE VAIRIS WAY
Fine jewellery for real life
Learn what we believe makes choosing and wearing fine jewellery feel easier.
Explore guide →Learn more: GIA's 4Cs and grading guide, IGI's 4Cs guide, BIS hallmarking FAQs, and BIS consumer protection guidance.