Diamond Quality 101
1. Cut – The Sparkle Factor
- What it means: How well a diamond’s facets interact with light.
- Grades (GIA): Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor.
- A well-cut diamond reflects light beautifully, giving it brilliance and fire.
- ✨ Best Value Tip: Always prioritize cut — even a smaller diamond shines more if cut well.
2. Color – The Less, the Better
- What it means: A measure of how colorless the diamond is.
- Grades (GIA): D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown).
- D–F = Colorless
- G–J = Near Colorless
- K–M = Faint
- 💡 Tip: G–H color gives a near-colorless look at better value.
3. Clarity – The Purity of the Stone
- What it means: Evaluates internal flaws (inclusions) and surface blemishes.
- Diamond Grades:
- FL (Flawless)
- IF (Internally Flawless)
- VVS1–VVS2 (Very Very Slight Inclusions)
- VS1–VS2 (Very Slight Inclusions)
- SI1–SI2 (Slight Inclusions)
- I1–I3 (Included)
- 🔍 Tip: VS and SI grades look eye-clean and are great for everyday wear.
4. Carat Weight – Measured Precision
- What it means: Measures a diamond’s weight (not just its size).
- 1 carat = 0.2 grams.
- GIA measures carat weight to the hundredth (e.g., 0.75ct) using precise digital scales.
- Bigger isn’t always better — proportions matter.
