Skip to main contentSkip to navigationSkip to footer
Parris Jewelers is located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.  We specialize in diamond engagement rings, diamonds, earrings, colored stones, sterling silver gifts, pearls, fine diamond jewelry, custom jewelry design,  jewelry repair, anniversary bands, wedding bands, fashion jewelry,  gold chains, diamond hoop earrings, diamond studs, wedding rings, birthstone rings, birthstone jewelry, jewelry, jeweler, trusted jeweler
  • Engagement Rings
    • Engagement Rings
  • Designers
    • Bassali
    • Bertucci Watches
    • Midas
    • Obaku Watches
    • Royal Chain
    • EXCLIV
    • Gumuchian: designed by women for women
    • Uneek
    • Dilamani
    • Fana
    • Raymond Mazza
    • S. Kashi & Sons
    • Samuel B.
    • VLORA
    • Bridal by Fana
    • Rembrandt Charms
    • Salisbury Fine Metal Artisans
    • Imperial Pearls
    • Malo Bands
    • Designs by Parris
    • William Henry Studio
    • Vahan
    • All Collections
  • Jewelry & Gifts
    • Charms
    • Earrings
        Diamond Stud EarringsDiamond Hoop EarringsDiamond Fashion EarringsColored Stone EarringsPearl Earrings Hoop Earrings No Stones Children's EarringsDiamond EarringsGemstone EarringsHoop EarringsDangle EarringsDrop EarringsHuggies EarringsStud EarringsFashion Earrings
    • Engagement Rings
        Engagement Rings Semi-Mountings Engagement Rings Complete (Center-Stone Set)Engagement Rings Under $3,000Wedding BandsFashion RingsGemstone Fashion RingsEternity BandsAnniversary RingsDiamond RingsDiamond Engagement RingsDiamond Three Stone RingsDiamond Eternity RingsMen's Diamond Wedding BandsDiamond Anniversary BandsGemstone Rings
    • Bracelets
        Diamond Bracelets Colored Stone BraceletsPearl BraceletsBracelets No Stones Children's BraceletsBracelet CharmsBangle BraceletsGemstone BraceletsSilver BraceletsLink BraceletsTennis BraceletsCuff BraceletsChain BraceletsDiamond Bangle BraceletsGemstone Bangle BraceletsCharm BraceletsFashion Bracelets
    • Necklaces
        Diamond CrossesDiamond NecklacesColored Stone NecklacesCustom NecklacesPearl NecklacesLocket PendantsChildren's NecklacesSilver NecklacesChainsFashion NecklacesGemstone Necklaces
    • Rings
        Diamond Fashion RingsColored Stone RingsStackable RingsCustom RingsPearl RingsChildren's RingsWedding bands for himWedding bands for her
    • Knives
    • Watches
    • Giftware
    • Featured under $500
        PinsOtherSetsCufflinksPensClasps
    • Diamond Pendants
    • Pearl Pendants
    • Gemstone Pendants
    • Brooches
    • Fashion Pendants
    • All Jewelry
  • Our Designs
  • Services & Policies
    • Repairs
    • Computer Engraving
    • Antwerp Diamond Buying Trip
    • Watch Services
    • Financing
    • Layaway
    • Our Return Policy
  • My AccountToggle My Account Menu
  • SearchToggle Search Menu
  • AboutToggle About Menu
    • About Us
    • Meet Our Staff
    • Our Areas of Expertise
    • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  1. Home
  2. Education
  3. Diamonds

Learn About Diamonds

The Four Cs of Diamonds

Our Four C's of Diamonds guide can help you decide on the most important factors when shopping for a diamond.

  • Carat
  • Cut
  • Color
  • Clarity

The Carat Weight

The word carat derives from the word carob, a Mediterranean seed, which has an extremely consistent weight for measuring. The greater the carat weight, the rarer, and more valuable the diamond becomes. Five metric carats weighs exactly 1 gram.

Some people want the largest diamond possible. If size is a priority, we at Parris Jewelers can help you classify the proper cut, color and clarity to fit your budget economically, and fit your jewelry beautifully. Many of our engagement rings can fit diamonds up to 5.00 carats, but each ring has different size constraints based on its size and the type of setting. Prong settings can be manipulated to fit virtually any size diamond, but tension-set diamonds and bezel set diamonds have more limitations on size.

The Cut

The true definition of cut is the quality of the proportions and symmetry of the diamond. Your diamond's proportions make a vast difference on how brightly your diamond shines. An 'ideal cut' diamond is one that allows the maximum amount of light to return through the top of the diamond, which takes into consideration the depth, table size, crown height and angle, girdle thickness and more. Our diamond professionals will be happy to assist you in selecting the best diamond cut.

After a rough diamond is mined, it is evaluated to determine its best possible cut, in order to maintain the maximum clarity, color, and carat weight. The term 'cut' is often confused with diamond 'shape', such as round brilliant or princess cut.

Excellent

This is the rarest cut grade and reflects the most light.

Very Good

This cut grade reflects nearly as much light as an Excellent cut grade, but for a lower price.

Good

This cut grade reflects most of the light that enters the diamond, but not as much as a Very Good cut grade.

Fair

This cut grade may appear dull or even glassy, and is very inexpensive.

Poor

This cut grade is not carried by Parris Jewelers and is typically not recommended.

Excellent
Very Good
Good
Fair
Poor
Not carried by Parris Jewelers

MORE DIAMONDS

The Color

Color is one of the more noticeable attributes of a diamond and has a heavy impact on the price of the stone. Diamonds range from colorless to yellow or light brown, and are sometimes found in a spectrum of fancy colors, including yellow, blue, and even red diamonds. The less color, the rarer the diamond. After 'Z' on the color scale, diamonds become fancy yellow, which cost more because of their rarity.

Z-N
M-K
Noticeable Color
J
I
H
G
Near Colorless
F
E
D
Colorless
Z-N
M-K
J
I
H
G
F
E
D
Noticeable Color
Near Colorless
Colorless

The Clarity

Diamonds are composed of mostly carbon. During the heating process, other elements become trapped inside, giving each diamond its own unique fingerprint. These inclusions help identify the clarity of your diamond. All diamonds are viewed through a 10x magnification lens by diamond graders.

Flawless

No inclusions or blemishes are visible to a skilled grader.

Internally Flawless

No inclusions and only blemishes are visible to a skilled grader.

Very Very Slightly Included

Inclusions are difficult for a skilled grader to see.

Very Slightly Included

Inclusions are clearly visible but can be characterized as minor.

Slightly Included

Inclusions are noticeable to a skilled grader.

Included

Inclusions are obvious and may affect transparency and brilliance.

FFlawless
IFInternally Flawless
VVS1
VVS2
Very Very Slightly Included
VS1
VS2
Very Slightly Included
SI1
SI2
Slightly Included
I1
I2
I3
Included

MORE DIAMONDS

Shop Loose Diamonds

Highway 98 Location
6254 US Highway 98 West
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
(601) 264-1764
Store Information
Mon - Fri:10:00am - 5:30pm
Saturday:10:00am - 2:00pm
Sunday:Closed
Information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Return Policy
Connect With Us

© 2025 Parris Jewelers. All Rights Reserved. Website designed, maintained, and hosted by Punchmark. Accessibility Statement.

Learn how we use cookies in our Privacy Policy or manage cookie preferences.