D-F
(Colorless)
G-J
(Near Colorless)
K-M
(Faint)
N-R
(Very Light)
S-Z
(Light)
Diamonds come naturally in a vast array of colors. Most people prefer diamonds in the white range.
A structurally perfect diamond without chemical impurities will have no hue.
The D-Z color-grading system measures the degree of colorlessness of a diamond, going from colorless to light yellow.
A completely colorless diamond allows light to pass through it easily, and the light will disperse into the colors of the rainbow.
The differences between the grades are very subtle. It takes an experienced eye to be able to color grade a stone.
FL-IF
(Flawless/Internally Flawless)
VVS1-VVS2
(Very Very Slightly Included)
VS1-VS2
(Very Slightly Included)
SI1-SI2
(Slightly Included)
I1-I3
(Included)
As a diamond is shaped over millions of years by nature, small internal characteristics called ‘inclusions’ can develop, as can external characteristics called ‘blemishes’. An expert evaluating the clarity of a diamond must determine the number, size, nature and position of these characteristics.
Sadly, no diamond is perfectly pure. But the closer it comes, the higher its value.
The GIA Diamond Clarity Scale has 6 categories, which are subdivided into 11 grades.
Excellent
Very Good
Good
Fair
Poor
Some people mistakenly think of a diamond’s cut as its shape. In fact, a diamond’s cut grade is really about how all its facets interact with the light. With precise workmanship, a stone is fashioned so that its facets can deliver the wondrous return of light only possible in a diamond.
Using a GIA scale that measures brightness, fire and scintillation, an expert can determine how these facets determine a diamond’s face-up appearance.
0.25ct
(4.0mm)
0.5ct
(5.0mm)
1ct
(6.5mm)
1.5ct
(7.5mm)
3ct
(9mm)
Probably the best-known of the 4 C’s. The diamond carat weight tells you how much a diamond weighs.
One metric carat is defined as 200 milligrams. Each carat can be further divided into 100 points.
If the other measures are equal, a diamond’s price increases with carat weight. As you know, the larger the diamond, the more desirable it is.