The Ultimate 5Cs
Ideal cut and the 5th C of diamonds
JOY COLORi only selects the ideal cuts, which make the diamonds shine the best colorful brilliance.
JOY COLORi’s lab-grown diamonds are not only graded based on the traditional 4Cs by international diamond grading institutes but also have the new 5th C of diamonds: green certificates such as Climate neutral, carbon neutral, and the ESG+ Certified Brand Butterfly Mark.
The "5 Cs" of diamonds
JOY COLORi offers a diverse range of options, whether you're looking for mined or lab-grown diamonds, you can find jewelry that meets your needs. The carefully selected diamonds with perfect cut proportions all come with certifications from internationally recognized diamond grading institutions such as GIA, IGI, or GCAL. In addition, the CVD lab-grown diamonds exclusively introduced by JOY COLORi even feature a distinctive 5th C.
The "4 Cs" of Diamonds
Cut
The cut of a diamond is considered an art of sculpting. A diamond’s cut grade is determined by three key factors: Cut Proportions, Symmetry, Polish. The cut grades for diamonds are as follows, from highest to lowest: Ideal Cut, Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor.
Ideal Cut
The Ideal Cut originates from the perfect diamond proportions proposed by Belgian mathematician Marcel Tolkowsky in 1919. This cut is based on precise adjustments to the diamond’s proportions, symmetry, and polish to achieve optimal optical performance. Only the most precise proportions of the Ideal Cut allow the diamond to showcase its maximum brilliance, sparkle, and fire, revealing the full spectrum of colorful flashes. This standard is the key to a diamond’s captivating, rainbow-like fire.
At JOY COLORi, we exclusively select AGS 000 Ideal Cut diamonds for our round diamonds, ensuring the highest level of brilliance and optical excellence.
photo credit: IGI
Carat
Carat is the standard unit of weight used to measure diamonds and is one of the key factors influencing a diamond’s value. One carat is approximately equal to 0.2 grams. For example, 0.50 carat equals 50 points, and 1.00 carat equals 100 points.
Each carat is also referred to as 100 points, symbolizing “100% happiness.” This is why many couples choose diamonds around 1 carat when selecting wedding rings. However, when two diamonds have the same carat weight, an Ideal Cut diamond, with its ability to emit maximum brilliance and colorful fire, will visually appear much larger and more stunning than a diamond with a standard cut.
Color
A diamond’s color range spans from colorless to light yellow, with the grading primarily based on its transparency. The grades range from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow). High-quality diamonds with an Ideal Cut should have colors that are as close to colorless as possible, as such diamonds will display a more brilliant, colorful fire under light.
- D (Colorless): The highest grade, exhibiting exceptional optical performance.
- E-F (Near Colorless): Almost colorless, with negligible color that is difficult to detect.
- G-H (Near Colorless): Slightly colored, but typically not noticeable in well-designed settings.
- I-Z (Light Yellow): Noticeable color that can affect the diamond’s value.
The Type IIa diamonds selected by JOY COLORi possess unique characteristics and a perfect cut. These diamonds are free from impurities and are graded as colorless (DEF) or near-colorless (GHI) according to the diamond grading standards.
photo credit: IGI
Clarity
Diamond clarity is an important factor in assessing the internal inclusions (or lack thereof) within a diamond. This characteristic influences both the diamond’s appearance and its market value. To evaluate clarity, gemologists use a 10x magnifying loupe. The clarity grades range from FL (Flawless) to I (Included), with the evaluation process typically involving two to four gemologists to ensure accuracy and objectivity.
- FL (Flawless): No internal inclusions or blemishes, even when viewed under 10x magnification.
- IF (Internally Flawless): No internal inclusions, but may have minor surface blemishes.
- VVS1-VVS2 (Very Very Slightly Included): Extremely small inclusions that are difficult to detect even under magnification.
- VS1-VS2 (Very Slightly Included): Small inclusions that are visible under magnification, but generally not noticeable to the naked eye.
- SI1-SI2 (Slightly Included): Noticeable inclusions that may be visible to the naked eye, but have a minimal impact on value.
- I1-I2-I3 (Included): Obvious inclusions that can affect the diamond’s appearance and beauty.
photo credit: IGI
The "5 Cs" of diamonds
JOY COLORi is committed to sustainability and has exclusively introduced CVD lab-grown diamonds with Carbon Neutral® or Climate Neutral certifications from the United States. These diamonds are registered as “JOY COLORi Future Diamonds.” Each diamond not only meets the strict 4C international diamond grading standards, including the Ideal Cut, but also aligns with global sustainability trends through the addition of the 5th C, focusing on environmental responsibility. Each diamond is engraved with a certification number on its girdle, ensuring full traceability of its origin.
Carbon Neutral®
Climate Neutral
JOY COLORi introduces diamonds certified as Climate Neutral, with SCS Global Services providing the international, independent environmental certification. This certification evaluates the environmental and social impacts of gemstone and diamond production and processing. By achieving the SCS-007 Sustainability Certification, these diamonds are fully climate neutral.
SCS Global Services, a leading third-party environmental and sustainability certification organization, is an international pioneer in environmental certification and standards development. The organization is dedicated to promoting a sustainable, innovative, and responsible future. Jewelry that passes this certification meets the highest ethical and environmental responsibility standards.
International Diamond Grading Certificate
Every diamond at JOY COLORi is certified by internationally recognized diamond grading institutions, including GIA (Gemological Institute of America), IGI (International Gemological Institute), and GCAL (Gem Certification & Assurance Lab). These institutions employ internationally recognized professional grading techniques to provide the most accurate and detailed diamond assessments. The diamond’s 4C grades are clearly listed in the certification, ensuring the authenticity and value of each diamond.
GIA: The Authority in Diamond Grading
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is a globally recognized professional diamond grading and gemology institution based in the United States. As a nonprofit organization, GIA not only focuses on grading services but also provides professional education and training. GIA introduced the 4C grading system in 1973, which is the core standard for assessing diamond value and is now the internationally accepted diamond grading system.
Gemological Institute Of America
IGI: The World’s Largest Gemological Institute
The International Gemological Institute (IGI) is the world’s largest network of jewelry grading laboratories. Its certificates provide detailed information on a diamond’s 4Cs (Cut, Carat Weight, Color, Clarity), as well as other important features like the diamond’s shape, proportions, and optical characteristics. IGI also collaborates with SCS (Sustainable Certification Services), ensuring the integrity and quality of its certifications, offering consumers comprehensive protection.
International Gemological Institute
GCAL 8X: Ultimate Diamond Cut Grade
The GCAL 8X Diamond Grading Certificate, provided by Gem Certification & Assurance Lab (GCAL), is a premium diamond grading service offering detailed information on eight key diamond qualities: polish, symmetry, cut proportions, brilliance, fire, sparkle, optical symmetry, and a full heart and arrow pattern. If a diamond achieves the highest grade (EXCELLENT) in all eight categories, it is considered to have exceptional brilliance and quality. Less than 1% of diamonds worldwide achieve the EXCELLENT grade across all eight criteria.
Gem Certification & Assurance Lab
HRD: Europe’s Leading Authority
HRD (Hoge Raad voor Diamant) is a prestigious diamond grading authority based in Belgium. In addition to its grading services, HRD is dedicated to advancing education and training within the jewelry industry. The HRD certificate follows ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standards for diamond grading, ensuring transparency and consistency throughout the evaluation process. HRD certification is widely recognized across Europe, guaranteeing the high quality and value of diamonds.