All About Diamonds
The 4 C’s
The 4 C’s of Diamonds Shopping
Welcome to Designworks Goldsmiths Studio, your premier destination for exquisite diamond and gold jewellery in Cork, Ireland. Specializing in stunning engagement rings and timeless wedding rings, we’re passionate about crafting pieces that celebrate love and individuality.
Discover everything you need to know about diamonds—from the 4 C’s to cut quality—and why our Cork jewellery shop is the perfect choice for your next treasure.
When choosing diamond jewellery, such as engagement rings or wedding rings, understanding the 4 C’s—Cut, Clarity, Colour, and Carat—is essential.
These factors determine a diamond’s beauty, value, and brilliance, ensuring you select the perfect piece from our Cork showroom.
Clarity
Clarity measures a diamond’s internal inclusions and surface blemishes. Our Cork jewellery shop offers diamonds across the GIA grading scale—from Flawless (FL) to Included (I)—examined under 10x magnification for pristine quality you can trust.
Diamond clarity is the quality of the visual appearance of the internal characteristics of a diamond (inclusions), as well as surface defects (blemishes).
Inclusions are solids, liquids, or gases that were trapped in the diamond as it formed. These inclusions can change the clarity grade of a diamond, which is assigned based on the overall appearance of the stone under ten times magnification (the standard for loupes used in the gem world).
The GIA diamond grading scale is divided into six categories and then grades…
Flawless category (FL), Internally Flawless category (IF), Very Very Slightly Included (VVS), Very Slightly Included category (VS), Slightly Included category (SI) and finally the Included category (I).
Cut
A diamond cut is a style or design guide used when shaping a diamond for polishing such as the brilliant cut.
The cut defines how well a diamond reflects light, creating that iconic sparkle. At Designworks Studio in Cork, our expert goldsmiths prioritize precise workmanship to maximize proportions and symmetry, delivering exceptional light return in every diamond engagement ring and wedding band.
In order to best use a diamond gemstone’s material properties, a number of different diamond cuts have been developed. A diamond cut constitutes a more or less symmetrical arrangement of facets, which together modify the shape and appearance of a diamond crystal. Diamond cutters must consider several factors, such as the shape and size of the crystal, when choosing a cut.
Color
From colourless to fancy hues, a diamond’s colour impacts its allure. We stock a range of diamonds, including rare fancy colour options, perfect for unique gold engagement rings or custom wedding jewellery in Cork. Diamonds occur in a variety of colours from steel grey to white, blue, yellow and a range of darkening colours through to black.
The majority of diamonds that are mined are in a range of pale yellow or brown color that is termed the normal color range. Diamonds that are of intense yellow or brown, or any other color are called fancy color diamonds. Diamonds that are of the very highest purity are totally colorless, and appear a bright white. The degree to which diamonds exhibit body color is one of the four value factors by which diamonds are assessed.
Diamonds have a color grading system that refers to the absence of color. This system goes from D to Z. The more colorless a diamond is, the rarer and more valuable it is because it appears white and brighter to the eye.
Carat
Carat refers to a diamond’s weight, not size. Measured precisely in points (100 points = 1 carat), our Cork jewellers help you find the ideal carat weight for your dream ring, balancing elegance and budget. Diamonds are sold by the carat and although most people think of a carat in terms of size, it is actually a unit of weight. The word “carat” may come from the “carob” seed, the original unit of measure for diamond traders.
Today, a carat is equal to exactly 0.2 grams (about the weight of a paper clip). Each carat can be subdivided into 100 ‘points’. This allows very precise measuring and a jeweler may describe the weight of a diamond below one carat just by its ‘points’ value.
Diamond Anatomy & Cut Quality
Precise workmanship is required to ensure that the proportions and symmetry provide the stunning light return that only a diamond gives.
A diamond’s cut is more than its shape—it’s about precision. At Designworks Goldsmiths Studio in Cork, Ireland, we understand that expert cutting enhances a diamond’s brilliance. Whether it’s a classic brilliant cut or a bespoke design, our skilled artisans ensure every facet shines. This dedication makes us a top choice for diamond engagement rings and gold wedding rings in Cork, where quality meets artistry.
Looking for a custom piece? Our Cork jewellery workshop crafts one-of-a-kind diamond rings, blending traditional goldsmithing with modern design. Visit us to see how we transform raw diamonds into stunning jewellery.
Are you looking for that perfect ring?
Shopping for diamond engagement rings or wedding rings in Cork has never been easier. At Designworks Studio, we offer:
Expert Guidance:
Our team in Cork provides personalized advice to help you choose the perfect diamond and gold jewellery.
Bespoke Designs:
Create a unique engagement ring or wedding band with our custom jewellery service, handcrafted in our Cork workshop.
Ethical Sourcing:
We prioritize responsibly sourced diamonds, ensuring your purchase supports sustainability.
Whether you’re proposing with a diamond engagement ring or sealing your vows with a gold wedding ring, our Cork jewellery shop delivers exceptional quality and service.