The 4Cs stand for *Cut, Color, Clarity,* and *Carat Weight*. They are the global standard for assessing the quality of a diamond.

You can verify authenticity through a professional jeweler, a certificate from a gemological lab (e.g., GIA), or at-home tests like checking for fog, water buoyancy, or magnification.

Natural diamonds are formed over billions of years in the earth, while lab-grown diamonds are created in controlled environments. Both have identical physical and chemical properties.

Certification is an independent lab's assessment of a diamond's quality based on the 4Cs. Reputable certifications include GIA, IGI, and AGS.