When does yellow become orange, and orange become red? The question may sound a bit philosophical until you tie it to colored diamonds, where slight variations in color can mean huge differences in price.

This stunning collection shows the vast spectrum of color available in colored diamonds.

Determining the color of a diamond is no easy task. There are a number of factors that make it especially challenging.

To start, two people can see the same color differently.  Color Vision scientist Joseph Carroll went so far as to say, “I think we can say for certain that people don’t see the same colors.” One person’s velvety blue might be another person’s deep blue.

Now throw in color memory, which can be faulty. We rely on the past to decide what the color is of the object right in front of us. The red rose we admired last spring becomes the reference for the red rose this spring. But as a species, we have poor color memory: the deep red rose of last spring might have been brighter than you remembered.

Terminology is another challenge. Try describing “periwinkle”or “mauve.” In order to communicate color accurately, we need clearly defined terms and color references that can be shared.

Because the issue of color perception and communication is so complicated, an objective color standard is vital – especially when colored diamonds can sell for millions of dollars. GIA researchers had to take these factors into account when they developed a color grading system for colored diamonds.

The GIA Colored Diamond Color Grading Systemhad its origins in the 1950s, when the Institute started receiving numerous client requests to determine if colored diamonds had been treated to improve their color. GIA continued enhancing the system by assembling masterstones (reference diamonds) in the 1960s, and creating official terminology to describe colored diamonds. It was refined once again in 1994, and this is the GIA Colored Diamond Color Grading System  we know today.

GIA’s proprietary collection of masterstones may well be one of the largest of any grading laboratory in the world. GIA continually assesses the collection and these masterstones serve as permanent color references for graders.

GIA’s Pink Diamond Color Chart shows how the depth of color transitions between stones. (Note that these samples are representative only; not all diamond appearances are included. These gemstones are also not precisely positioned within the grades.)

GIA researchers also recognized that the surrounding environment, the viewer, and the light source all affected color perception.  For example, the color of a red diamond can appear warmer or cooler depending on the lighting.  For this reason, GIA uses the Macbeth Judge II Light Box for grading because it provides a neutral color environment and produces color-balanced lighting.

Another way GIA ensures consistency and accuracy in its grading is in its selection of colored diamond graders. Potential graders have to pass a series of tests and complete special training before they become preliminary colored diamond graders.

The result of these efforts is the GIA Colored Diamond Color Grading System – a repeatable process that removes subjectivity and ensures that a colored diamond is described accurately.

The color circle above shows the GIA hues for colored diamonds.

GIA’s system is recognized as the universal language for colored diamonds by virtually every gem and jewelry professional around the world, so it’s no surprise that that many of the world’s most important colored diamonds have been graded by GIA.

GIA graded this 59.6-carat diamond, named the Pink Star. Other important GIA-graded colored diamonds include: the blue Hope, the blue Heart of Eternity, the orange Pumpkin Diamond, the Moussaieff Red, the Wittelsbach Blue (renamed the Wittelsbach-Graff), and many others. Photo courtesy of Sotheby’s.

With GIA’s  reliable system in place, buyers around the world can shop confidently for these rare beauties.

The post Decoding Color: The GIA Colored Diamond Color Grading System appeared first on GIA 4Cs Blog.

When you’re shopping for a diamond, its brightness and sparkle will draw you to the jewelry counter, and keep you captivated long after you’ve made your diamond purchase. Achieving maximum brightness and sparkle requires excellent cutting technique, which is reflected in the diamond’s cut grade. Of the 4Cs, no other ‘C’ has more impact on a diamond’s appearance.

When people think of “cut,” they often think of the shape of a diamond rather than its cut quality. Cut is all about a diamond’s fire, sparkle, and brightness, and as a value factor, it refers to a diamond’s proportions, symmetry and polish; those factors that determine the cut quality or the fourth ‘C.’

In January 2006, GIA began assigning cut grades for round brilliant cut diamonds. Based on a comprehensive study that included 70,000 observations on more than 2,300 diamonds, GIA’s cut grading system assigns a diamond a grade of Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, or Poor.

A number of complex factors are considered when evaluating a diamond’s cut grade: its proportions, the symmetry of its facet arrangements, and the quality of its polish or finish. The cut grade reflects the diamonds appearance

In this post, we’ll focus on proportions – represented by the diamond diagram that appears on all GIA Diamond Grading Reports and GIA Diamond Dossiers. By learning about proportions, you’ll also learn the basics of a diamond’s anatomy, and gain an understanding of one factor that goes into setting a cut grade, determined from a combination of measured parameters.

Before we begin the Diamond Anatomy lesson, let’s be clear that no single proportion measurement is an indicator of what that diamond’s cut grade will be. GIA researchers proved that while every individual facet matters, a diamond’s appearance arises from the combined contribution of all its proportions. Even though all of a diamond’s parameters might be within the limits for a particular grade, a diamond might actually receive a lower cut grade when the parameters interact in a negative way to lessen a diamond’s appearance.

Therefore, for round brilliant cut diamonds, GIA considers how a diamond’s proportions relate to each other, rather than considering individual proportions in isolation.

Table Size: The table is the top horizontal facet of the diamond. The average table size is expressed as a percentage of the diamond’s average girdle diameter. While an ‘Excellent’ grade diamond will have a table size between 52 and 62 percent, other proportions are important too. Remember that GIA doesn’t consider individual proportions in isolation.

Total Depth: The diamond’s overall depth from the surface of the table to the culet, expressed as a percentage of the average girdle diameter.

Pavilion Depth: The pavilion is the lower portion of a diamond from the bottom edge of the girdle to the culet. The pavilion depth is expressed as a percentage of the average girdle diameter. A pavilion depth that’s too shallow or too deep will allow light to escape from the side or bottom of the stone. A well-cut diamond will direct more light upward through the crown.

Pavilion Angle: Pavilion angle is another important dimension of the stone, especially as it relates to a diamond’s brightness. It is the average of the angles formed by the diamond’s pavilion main facets and its girdle plane. This should fall between 40.6 and 41.8 degrees to be considered “Excellent,” providing other parameters also fit their proper ranges.

Crown Height: The crown is the upper portion of the diamond, from the top edge of the girdle to the table. The average crown height is expressed as a percentage of the average girdle diameter. It can affect both the dispersion and brightness of a diamond.

Crown Angle: The crown angle is the angle that’s formed where the bezel facets meet the girdle plane. The crown angle in a well-cut diamond will be within 31.5 to 36.5 degrees. The crown angle has a large effect on the face-up appearance of a round brilliant cut diamond. The best range of crown angles provide a route for exiting light dispersion, as well as additional contrasting directions for entering light. Star Length: The horizontally projected distance from the point of the star facet to the edge of the table, relative to the distance between the table edge and the girdle edge. A well-cut diamond will range between 40 to 70 percent, when other parameters are within the correct ranges

Girdle Thickness: The girdle is the middle portion of a diamond, a narrow section separating the crown from the pavilion, and functions as the diamond’s setting edge. The girdle thickness is described as a range from its thinnest to thickest areas. A thick girdle is less desirable because it unnecessarily adds weight to the stone where it matters the least (making the diamond appear smaller). An extremely thin girdle is sometimes referred to as a knife-edge, and results in a diamond that is more fragile and susceptible to chipping. Therefore, a girdle that is “medium to slightly thick” is preferred.

Lower Girdle / Half Facet Length: This ratio is measured by calculating how long the lower girdle facets are relative to the length of the pavilion. This defines the contrast of a round brilliant cut diamond, which controls the brilliance of a diamond. The well-cut diamond will range between 65 to 90 percent. Diamonds with longer lower half facets will have a little more scintillation.

Culet: The culet is the small facet at the bottom of a diamond intended to prevent chipping and abrasion to the point. The culet size can affect face-up appearance and it’s described as the average width of the facet. Size is expressed as none, very small, small, medium, slightly large, large, very large, and extremely large. When there is no culet, it is sometimes referred to as a pointed culet. Preferably the culet will not be visible with the unaided eye, and when described as none (no culet), very small or small on a GIA report, it falls in the excellent range.

Now that you understand diamond proportions, you’re one third of the way to learning about the factors that influence a diamond’s cut grade. We’ll cover finish, polish, and symmetry in later posts.

An “Excellent” in GIA’s cut grading system will tell you what most people prefer. However, our best advice as you shop around is to do what GIA researchers did – look at a number of diamonds. After all, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and your own eyes will tell you whether or not a diamond’s cut is right for you.

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Jewelry connoisseurs have gone crazy for colored diamonds. And their appetites were practically insatiable in 2013.

In October 2013, an 8.77 carat cut-cornered rectangular modified brilliant-cut, GIA-graded Fancy Intense pink diamond sold for $6.3 million at Christie’s New York, coming in at $721,200 per carat. The same auction saw a 3.80 carat round-cornered rectangular modified brilliant-cut GIA-graded Fancy Vivid blue diamond (above) sell for nearly $4 million –a little more than $1 million per carat.

The Orange, a GIA-graded 14.82 carat Fancy Vivid orange diamond, sold for $35.5 million at a Christie’s auction Nov.11, 2013 in Geneva. Photo courtesy Denis Hayoun Diode SA Geneva

As it turns out, the October auction was a warm-up for the main events in November. A 14.82 carat pear modified brilliant-cut Fancy Vivid orange diamond (The Orange) sold for $35.5 million at Christie’s Geneva. This beauty was also graded by GIA, and at $2.4 million per carat, it earned the highest-ever per-carat price for a gemstone at auction.

Also in November, Sotheby’s Geneva saw the sale of the 59.60 carat the Pink Star – a GIA-graded oval mixed cut Fancy Vivid pink that sold for $83.2 million.  Renamed the Pink Dream  by its current owner, it was expected to fetch $60 million, until a bidding war started. As Russell Shor, senior industry analyst at GIA noted, the price of the Pink Dream was comparable to prices paid for artwork by some of the master painters.

The Pink Star, a GIA-graded 59.60 carat Fancy Vivid pink diamond, sold for $83.2 million at a Sotheby’s auction Nov. 12, 2013 in Geneva. Photo courtesy of Sotheby’s.

So what’s driving the colored diamond craze?

Hollywood A-listers like Jennifer Lopez, Penelope Cruz, and Oprah Winfrey are wearing them, and it’s no secret that celebrities are often trendsetters. The exceptional rarity of these stones is also behind the frenzy: Fancy-colored diamonds are far rarer than diamonds in the normal color range. Some experts estimate that only 2% of total rough diamond production is fancy colored. The percentage is even lower for fashioned diamonds: Only one out of 10,000 carats of fashioned diamonds displays fancy color, and a diamond’s chances of displaying intense color are even lower – one in 25,000. Heightening the craze is the expectation that the Argyle mine, the main source of natural pink diamonds, will be exhausted by 2020. Add all these together, and you have the ingredients for a serious trend.

14k white gold pendant contains a .45 ct pink CVD labgrown diamond. Courtesy of Bostonian Jewelers, Boston.

Not surprisingly, jewelry shoppers have also caught colored diamond fever. Some retailers and online vendors are selling synthetic colored diamonds or treated-color natural diamonds to satisfy the demand. These beauties available in a rainbow of color choices are becoming more affordable than ever before.

If you’re in the market for a colored diamond, consider looking for a GIA Colored Diamond Report. GIA created the GIA Colored Diamond Grading System in 1994, and has graded important colored diamonds, including the Hope, the Pink Dream, and many others. A GIA report is virtually a requirement by all the big auction houses and other key players. Why not make it a requirement for your next purchase too?

Which do you prefer: colorless or colored diamonds? Do you think colored diamonds are a fad or are they here to stay?

Main image is a GIA-graded Fancy Vivid blue diamond. Image courtesy of Christie’s Images LTD. 2013.

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Going once. Going twice. Going three times. Sold for $83.2 million.

That was the winning bid for the 59.6 carat Fancy Vivid Pink Dream in November 2013 – the most ever paid for a diamond. The amount was comparable to prices paid for paintings by some of the masters.

The Pink Star, a GIA-graded 59.60 carat Fancy Vivid pink diamond, sold for $83.2 million at a Sotheby’s auction Nov. 12, 2013 in Geneva. Photo courtesy of Sotheby’s.

GIA has graded many of the world’s most significant colored diamonds: the Hope, the Heart of Eternity, the Pink Dream, and many others. As some of the hottest items in the jewelry display case, colored diamonds are fetching millions of dollars at auction. Which makes it all the more essential that a proven, trusted way to evaluate them exists

The expanded GIA Colored Diamond Grading System, now celebrating its 20th anniversary, is the universal standard for grading these rare colored marvels. Let’s take a closer look at how it came to be.

The origin of the GIA Colored Diamond Grading System

GIA first developed the grading system in the 1950s to evaluate yellow diamonds falling outside the normal colorless to light yellow (D-to-Z) color range. Over time, the Institute expanded and enhanced the system, publishing its results in Gems & Gemology  in 1994, effectively debuting the Colored Diamond Grading System we know today.  These enhancements included refining the colored grading system and adding the new color descriptions of Fancy Deep and Fancy Vivid.

What defines a colored diamond?

Diamonds whose colors fall outside the GIA D-to-Z color range are described as “Fancy Colors” or “Fancies.” In evaluating their color, GIA takes into consideration three attributes:

1. Hue – the attribute we generally think of as color, for example, red, yellow, green, blue, or anything in between.
2. Tone – the color’s relative lightness or darkness
3. Saturation – the color’s depth and strength

GIA recognizes 27 different hues or “colors” for fancy colored diamonds, and describes tone and saturation with terms like Fancy Light, Fancy Vivid, Fancy Deep.

Fancy color diamond ranges.

In general, the more color a diamond has, the better. Fancy Deep and Fancy Vivid diamonds, for example, have more color than Fancy Light diamonds.

Grading Colored Diamonds

Like D-to-Z diamonds, GIA evaluates colored diamonds under carefully controlled lighting and viewing conditions. Expert graders view the diamond in its face-up position and establish the three attributes of that color by bracketing each of the attributes using reference stones as color comparators, finally assigning one of nine color fancy grades to the colored diamond.

Color grading colored diamonds requires considerable skill, as slight gradations in color can make a big difference in price. Additionally, diamonds can be treated to alter their color. Since naturally colored diamonds are worth far more than treated ones, expert evaluation is essential to determine what is referred to as the “origin of color”.

These four yellow diamond master stones mark the most commonly seen lower saturation boundaries of their respective grade ranges. L-R: Fancy Light, Fancy, Fancy Intense and Fancy Vivid. (c) GIA & Robert Weldon

Another consideration: The rarer the color, the more valuable the diamond. Red, green, purple, and orange are the rarest colored diamonds. Clarity, cut, and carat weight are secondary considerations (though all things being equal, a larger colored diamond is still more valuable than a smaller one).

Get Ready to be Dazzled

Now that you know what makes a colored diamond desirable and have a better understanding of the GIA Colored Diamond Grading System, get ready to enjoy some dazzling beauties. And remember that the GIA Colored Diamond Grading System helps you know what you’re purchasing – and lets you buy with confidence.

The Bulgari Blue, a distinctive two-stone ring featuring a 10.95 ct Fancy Vivid blue diamond and a 9.87 ct G-color diamond, fetched $15.76 million at Christie’s New York on October 20, 2010.

A 14.82 carat Fancy Vivid orange diamond (The Orange) sold for $35.5 million in November 2013. At $2.4 million per carat, it was the highest-ever per-carat price for a gemstone at auction. Photo courtesy Denis Hayoun Diode SA Geneva

Two rings: (left) 1.86-ct. Fancy Deep blue diamond flanked by pink and yellow triangular cut diamonds, (right) 1.11-ct. Fancy intense yellow-green diamond flanked by 2 triangular cut orangy-pink diamonds. Photo courtesy of American Siba Corp, Moses Jewelers, Isaac Wold and Lazar Wolf.

Ready to learn more about fancy colored diamonds? Visit GIA’s online Gem Encyclopedia

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Click on the “Understanding the 4Cs of Diamond Quality” image to see a larger view. Bookmark and share!

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The plotting diagram on a GIA Diamond Grading Report identifies the location of blemishes by using either green or black symbols (internal characteristics are denoted in red or a combination of red and green). A Key to Symbols lists the characteristics present.

Please remember that these images are magnified to provide you with closer detail, so don’t expect all clarity characteristics to look exactly like the pictures!

	Abrasion A series of minute nicks along the facet junctions of a fashioned diamond; gives the edges a white or fuzzy appearance.
	Extra Facet A facet that’s not required by the cutting style, placed without regard for the diamond’s symmetry; most often found near the girdle. Courtesy K.R. Gems & Diamonds International.
	Lizard Skin Wavy or bumpy area on the surface of a polished diamond.
	Natural A portion of the original surface of a rough diamond left on a fashioned stone; usually on or near the girdle. Courtesy of Gary Roskin, G.G., F.G.A.
	Nick A small notch on a facet junction with no readily apparent depth at 10X, usually along the girdle edge or at the culet. Courtesy of Gary Roskin, G.G., F.G.A.
	Pit A small opening that looks like a tiny white dot. Courtesy of Gary Roskin, G.G., F.G.A.
	Polish Lines Fine parallel grooves and ridges left by polishing; can occur on any facet but do not cross facet junctions; transparent or white.
	Burn Mark Hazy surface area that results from excessive heat during polishing; also called a burned facet.
	Rough Girdle Irregular or granular girdle surface.
	Scratch A thin, dull, white line across the diamond’s surface; shows no apparent depth at 10X.
	Surface Graining Similar to internal graining, except it appears on the surface; results from irregularities in crystal structure.

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For many, jewelry shopping can be an intimidating experience. Add crowded malls, a long list of gifts to purchase, and the desire to get ‘just the right thing,’ and it can be downright stressful. But knowing what to ask a jeweler can help make this a great shopping experience

In part 4 of our 2013 Holiday Buying Guide, GIA put together the top five questions to ask a jeweler when you’re shopping for jewelry this holiday season.

Feel free to bookmark this page, print it out, or pin it: just keep it handy as you walk into any jewelry store or visit an online retailer. With the right questions, you can be confident in what you’re buying.

1. What are this diamond’s 4Cs? Can I see an independent grading report?
A jeweler should be able to explain a diamond’s 4Cs in detail and produce an independent diamond grading report to support his explanation. An unbiased diamond grading report, such as the GIA Diamond Dossier®, GIA Diamond Grading Report, or GIA Diamond eReport, ensures that you will know your diamond’s quality and authenticity. For a quick summary of the 4Cs, see part 2 of our 2013 Holiday Buying Guide, 4Cs Tips for Holiday Diamond Jewelry Shopping.

2. Can I see other options in my price range?
Many factors contribute to how a piece of jewelry is priced: the type of gemstone(s) used and it’s quality, the type and quality of the metal in the setting, overall design and craftsmanship, just to name a few. A jeweler should be able to provide you with a variety of choices for any given price point.

3. How do I take care of this piece?
Wearability and care are important considerations. If the piece includes gemstones other than diamond, be sure to find out where they rank on the Mohs scale, which represents gemstone hardness. Ask your jeweler to explain the metal used – some metals are more durable than others. And be sure you know whether the gemstone has been treated, since treated gemstones will require special care. Whether you’re looking for an everyday or special occasion piece, it’s important to understand the care and cleaning tips for any jewelry you purchase.

4. What are your credentials?
You’ll get the best shopping experience from a jeweler who is professionally trained and experienced. Most jewelers are proud to display their professional diplomas from internationally recognized gem and jewelry schools like GIA. In addition, they may be members of trade and business organizations, like the American Gem Society (AGS), Jewelers of America (JA), and your local Chamber of Commerce.

5. What is your return policy?
While everyone wants to give the perfect holiday gift, sometimes the piece just isn’t quite the taste of the recipient. Just in case she was hoping for something different, ask about the return policy. For a significant diamond purchase, like an engagement ring, you might want to also ask about any trade-in programs for a larger diamond down the road.

To avoid holiday crowds, many people opt for online shopping. GIA has a separate set of tips for online shopping that covers online retailers as well as auction sites.

And while GIA doesn’t specifically recommend jewelers, it does offer tools to help you find a jeweler in your area who carries GIA-graded diamonds or have GIA-trained professionals on staff.

Our 2013 Holiday Buying Guide continues next time with an in-depth look at special gemstone cuts and fancy shapes. Prepare to be wowed!

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In the first of a two part series, we explore a diamond’s internal characteristics or those that extend into the diamond from its surface – these are called diamond inclusions. (Next time we’ll cover external characteristics, or blemishes.) A GIA Diamond Grading Report provides a diagram that uses symbols to illustrate the position of a diamond’s inclusions. We’ve listed diamond inclusions commonly found in diamonds with brief explanations. Enjoy!

	Bearded Girdle Very small feathers that extend from the girdle surface into the stone; can result from the cutting process.
	Bruise A tiny area of impact accompanied by very small, root-link feathers; typically occurs at a facet junction. Courtesy of Gary Roskin, G.G., F.G.A.
	Cavity An angular opening created when part of a feather breaks away or when a surface-reaching crystal drops out or is forced out during polishing.
	Chip A shallow opening caused by damage to the stone’s surface that typically occurs at a girdle edge, facet junction, or culet.
	Cloud Many tightly grouped pinpoints that might be too small to distinguish individually but together have a hazy appearance.
	Crystal A mineral crystal contained in a diamond.
	Feather General trade term for a break in a gemstone, often white and feathery in appearance.
	Grain Center A small, concentrated area of crystal distortion; can be white or dark, and might have a thread-like or pinpoint-like appearance.
	Indented Natural A portion of the rough diamond’s original surface that dips below a polished diamond’s surface.
	Internal Graining Lines, angles, or curves that might appear whitish, colored, or reflective, or affect transparency at 10X; caused by irregularities in crystal growth.
	Internal Laser Drilling Laser drilling within a diamond that creates a surface-reaching feather, or expands a pre-existing feather around a dark inclusion so that it reaches the surface. The feather then provides access for bleaching to decrease the visibility of the inclusion.
	Knot A white or transparent diamond crystal that extends to the surface after fashioning.
	Laser Drill-hole A tiny, surface-reaching tunnel produced by a laser light beam.
	Needle A thin, elongated crystal that looks like a tiny rod at 10X.
	Pinpoint A very small crystal that looks like a tiny dot at 10X.
	Twinning Wisp A series of pinpoints, clouds, or crystals that forms in a diamond’s growth place; associated with crystal distortion and twinning planes.

All images are magnified to provide you with closer detail. If you want to see a larger version of the inclusion, click the image. Just don’t expect all clarity characteristics to look exactly like these pictures!

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The previous installment of the 2013 Holiday Buying Guide covered the basics of the 4Cs of diamond qualities. But how will you know that the diamond you’re considering buying has the qualities you’re looking for? The answer…an independent, unbiased evaluation.   

This evaluation is called a grading report, and it is essential that you request to see a grading report for any diamond purchase you’re considering this holiday before you make your purchase.

As creator of the 4Cs and the International Diamond Grading System^TM, GIA is considered the benchmark independent grading laboratory. GIA was the first to issue independent grading reports in the early 1950s, and today its Diamond Grading Report and Diamond Dossier® are globally recognized and trusted. A GIA grading report contains a full scientific and unbiased assessment of your diamond’s 4Cs and discloses any known treatments.

What actually goes into a grading report? The third installment of the 2013 Holiday Buying Guide provides an informative video tutorial to walk you through the features and benefits found on a GIA grading report, and explain what that means for you and your diamond.

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Diamond jewelry is often at the top of a woman’s holiday wish list but getting her a gift that she’ll love doesn’t have to be complicated. In the second installment of our 2013 Holiday Buying Guide series, you will learn the basics of what to look for when shopping for diamond jewelry.

The first thing to know is that not all diamonds are created equal. In fact, every diamond is unique, which makes buying a diamond seem all the more challenging. For starters, how do you compare them? To protect consumers and help everyone better understand diamond quality, GIA created the 4Cs, now globally accepted as the language used to describe diamond quality. The 4Cs are so universal that diamonds are valued by how they measure up to each of the Cs. Being familiar with the 4Cs not only helps you better appreciate each diamond’s unique beauty, but also understand its price.

Every woman knows ‘good things come in small packages’ and this short 4Cs primer will get you well on your way to making sure the gift you give her this holiday is one that will delight.

Color

GIA D-to-Z Color Grading Scale measures the degree of colorlessness of a diamond, as compared to a set of master stones of established color. D is the highest grade representing colorless. As you go down through the scale, the diamond is picking up more yellow or brown color. Colorless diamonds are the most rare, and their price will reflect their rarity. Even the slightest hint of color can make a dramatic difference in value. This interactive tool shows you the subtle differences in color.

Clarity

Few things in life are perfect, and diamonds are no exception. Diamonds have internal features, called inclusions, and surface irregularities, called blemishes. Clarity grades assess the number, size, relief, nature, and position of inclusions and blemishes. Flawless is the top grade in the GIA Clarity Grading Scale, and flawless diamonds are so rare that it’s possible to spend a lifetime in the jewelry industry without ever seeing one. There are 11 clarity grades assigned to a diamond, and the fewer inclusions and blemishes, the higher the value.

Cut

Cut is the finished shape of the gem and the number and angles of its facets. The GIA Diamond Cut Grading System for standard round brilliant diamonds (still the most popular diamond shape and cutting style) has five cut grades ranging from Excellent to Poor and takes into consideration not only the proportions, polish and symmetry, but also visual appearance. Many people mistakenly use the term “cut” to refer to the diamond’s shape. Diamond shapes other than round brilliant are called fancy shapes, and include marquises, pears, ovals, hearts, and triangles to name a few.

Carat Weight

As most people know, diamonds are priced by weight. Diamonds are weighed to a thousandth (0.001) of a carat, which is 0.200 grams, and then rounded to the nearest hundredth, or point. These exact calculations are important; fractions of a carat can mean price differences of hundreds—even thousands—of dollars. Only one in 1,000 diamonds is more than a carat, and this rarity means that larger diamonds of the same quality are worth more per carat. In other words, a two-carat diamond will often cost more than the total of two one-carat diamonds, because of a higher per carat cost.

Going to a jeweler with a basic understanding of the 4Cs will help tremendously in your ability to compare diamonds and talk knowledgably with the salesperson.

For even more information, GIA created the 4Cs app, available for iPhone, iPad and Android ®, which includes videos and interactive tools explaining each of the 4Cs in greater detail. It also has a useful tool called “My Diamond Wish List” where you can save and compare GIA-graded diamonds from different jewelers as you’re shopping this holiday season.

Now that you have a basic understanding of the 4Cs, you’ll want to know how to make sure the diamond you’re buying has the qualities you’re looking for. For more about GIA grading reports, stay tuned for the next installment in our 2013 Holiday Buyers Guide.

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