If you are considering a beautiful diamond online, then it is important to learn more about it. The Gemological Institute of America(GIA) has established a rating standard that all jewelers have agreed to use. The standard rates four different qualities of diamonds. They are cut, clarity, color and carat weight. When you are buying a GIA diamond, it is important to keep each of these factors in mind allowing you to get the best value for your money.
Cut
A diamond’s cut releases the stone’s ability to reflect light. Therefore, the lapidarist should choose the cut of the diamond very carefully so that it naturally reflects the largest amount of light. While diamonds can be cut into various shapes, the GIA scale measures the diamond’s ability to reflect white light. It also measures the gem’s ability to scatter white light into all the colors of the rainbow along with the amount of sparkle that a diamond produces. Other factors including quality of polish, durability and weight to diameter ratio are also taken into account. Gemstone experts measure cut on a scale ranging from excellent to poor.
Clarity
Diamonds are produced when nature places carbon under intense heat and pressure. The process can result in imperfections on the inside and outside of the diamond. The more imperfections a diamond has, the lower it is rated by the GIA, Even one blemish, however, that takes away from the beauty of the diamond can greatly affect how it is rated. Additionally, diamonds with imperfections affect the way the stone reflects light are rated lower. The GIA rates a diamond’s clarity from flawless to included. Diamonds who have pinpoint imperfections in the crown that are sometimes visible only through magnification are rated as very very slightly included, and they are given a W1 or W2. Those having small imperfections in the tablet facet are rated VS1 or VS2. Imperfections affecting the crown of the stone are rated S1 or S2. Finally, those with the most imperfections that often appear as a milky area are rated I1, I2 or I3.
Color
A diamond should have no color. Imperfections can add color to diamonds. Therefore, the GIA compares a diamond’s color to other diamonds with established values. Colorless diamonds that appear like a clear drop of water are rated D, E or F. Those with just a slight hint of color are rated G through I. As diamonds get even more color, they are given a letter even lower in the alphabet.
Carat Weight
The last way that a diamond is rated is by its carat weight. A carat weighs 100 miligrams. Each carat is further divided into 100 parts, so buyers can learn the exact weight of the stone that they are considering buying. Generally, the more that a diamond weighs, the more you can expect to pay if all other factors are the same.
Now, that you are armed with this information, you are ready to shop for diamonds. Remember to consider the cut, clarity, color and carat weight to get the best diamond for your money.