Color
Most diamonds are either white or yellow. White or colorless diamonds
are more expensive than most yellow diamonds with the exception
of the yellow canary diamonds. Many diamonds have a slight yellow
tint. The G.I.A. color grading scale starts with the letter D and
ends with the letter Z. Colors with a D rating are typically much
more expensive than diamonds with a Z rating. The chart below outlines
the standards set forth by the G.I.A. and also provides examples
for comparison.
Grade D - F Colorless pic
Grade G - I Nearly Colorless pic
Grade J - L Slightly Yellow pic
Grade M - T Light Yellow pic
Grade U - X Darker Yellow pic
Clarity
Clarity is determined by how many inclusions or blemishes can
be seen on the diamond with a 10x loupe(magnifier) or the naked
eye. Over 99% of the diamonds available on the market contain
some type of inclusion. G.I.A. uses the scale below to grade a
diamond based on those inclusions.
Flawless Contains no invisible inclusions
when viewed under 10x magnification. Rare and very expensive.
Internally Flawless Contains no inclusions, but may have slight
Blemishes invisible to the naked eye, but visible under 10x magnification.
Expensive and rare.
VVS1 and VVS2 Contains very slight inclusions or blemishes (very,
very slightly included) only visible under 10x magnification.
Rare and expensive.
VS1 and VS2 Diamond contains very small blemishes or Inclusions
only visible under 10x magnification. Very high quality.
SI1 Contains inclusions which can be seen under 10x magnification.
These inclusions might be slightly larger than those found on
a VS graded diamond. However, no inclusions should be visible
to the naked eye.
SI2 Diamond inclusions easily detectable under 10x magnification.
May contain inclusions which are visible to the naked eye.
I1-I3 Diamond contains inclusions easily seen by the naked eye.
DiamondSpotter does not recommend diamonds in the I2-I3 range.
Carat Size
A diamond's carat size is determined by its actual weight. Diamond
weights are determined by points. One carat equals 100 points.
50 points would be a half carat. A 1.5 carat diamond is equal
to 150 points.
Larger diamonds are rare and more expensive
than smaller diamonds. In other words, a one carat diamond will
be more expensive than 4 ¼ carat diamonds with the same
grade.
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