A diamond is the hardest natural substance known to mankind. That, along with its brilliance and fire, has made the diamond the symbol of timeless, enduring love. Diamonds are made of the earth's simplest element, carbon. Diamonds are formed over millions of years beneath the earth's surface by heat and pressure, which causes the carbon to crystallize. Once mined, the stones are precisely cut and polished by skilled craftspeople, thereby giving them the dazzling appearance we all love and admire. The Four C's of diamond knowledge --- Color, Clarity, Cut, and Carat Weight, are the foundation of the universal diamond grading system that is recognized by all diamond laboratories, such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), International Gemological Institute (IGI), American Gem Society (AGS), European Gemological Laboratory (EGL), and others. If you still have questions, please e-mail us at info@kingjewelrydesign.com