Why “The Four Cs” Apply To Diamond Simulants

Diamond Nexus gemstones are created under tremendous heat and pressure in a time-compressed process that is very similar to how actual diamonds are formed in nature.  The result is a flawless, man-made crystalline substance whose physical and optical properties are an almost-exact match for natural diamonds.  In most cases, scientific testing is needed to tell the difference, although some jewelers are able to distinguish Diamond Nexus gemstones from mined diamonds on the basis that all mined diamonds contain some flaws, whereas Diamond Nexus gemstones do not.  In essence, no natural diamond could possibly be so perfect.

To see how Diamond Nexus gemstones stack up scientifically beside real diamonds, see our side-by-side comparison chart.
Because Diamond Nexus Labs’ gemstones are indistinguishable to the naked eye from natural diamonds, we use the same grading scale to describe their quality.  As certified by the American International Gemologists (AIG), all of our stones are color grade D, clarity grade IF, and cut grade Ideal.  This means that the Diamond Nexus gemstone standard is the highest quality grade possible: so high, in fact, that mined diamonds at this grade are almost completely impossible to obtain.

The Four Cs
COLOR: Classifications of color grade range from D through Z.  Colorless diamonds (D) are extremely scarce in nature and are the peak of color quality.  Slight tints of color – yellows, browns, and sometimes reds or blues – make diamonds less rare, less brilliant, and therefore less valuable.  As letters increase – H, I, J, K, L, M, etc… – so does the color, decreasing the stone’s ability to refract light.  This is why grade D colorless stones, like Diamond Nexus gems, are prized most highly.

CLARITY: This is the degree to which a diamond is free of inclusions.  Inclusions are little flaws that occur during the natural formation of the diamond, which hinder light refraction and reduce brilliance. Virtually every mined diamond has some internal or external flaws, including fractures, scratches, birthmarks, or cloudiness.  Diamond Nexus Labs gemstones have no flaws, meeting rigorous standards of first-class quality.

CUT: The art of diamond cutting has been refined to precise mathematical formulas.  A good cut is determined by its light-reflecting properties and light dispersion.  In addition, the cut itself actually refers to two separate aspects of the stone’s appearance: (1) shape, and (2) quality of workmanship.  Even an excellent stone with a poor cut will suffer in quality because of it.  Diamond Nexus gemstones are all precision-cut by master cutters for the optimum number and angle of facets.


CARAT-WEIGHT: The size of a diamond is measured in “carats.”  This measure originated in ancient times when stones were sold by a standard unit of weight equal to one carob bean.  A stone that weighed the same as “two carobs” was, obviously, bigger and more valuable than a “one carob” or “half carob” stone.  “Carob” evolved to “carab,” which eventually became “carat.”