Diamond Color Cut Clarity Guide

G h as opposed to a specific grade the diamond is not certified by gia.

Diamond color cut clarity guide. While flawless and colorless diamonds are extremely rare cut determines a diamond s true value. Fl or flawless is the highest grade for clarity. Here you will learn how gia diamond grades are established and how those grades affect the diamond s price. Each of the four c s carat weight cut color clarity is accompanied by a diamond chart illustrating the differences between grades.

Color clarity cut and carat weight. An fl diamond has no imperfections even when magnified 10x by a professional. Carat color cut and clarity working together. Gia created the first and now globally accepted standard for describing diamonds.

Interestingly the diamond color evaluation of most gem quality diamonds is based on the absence of color. The larger the carat the more obvious the other qualities become. There s no question. In step cut shapes such as emerald cut and asscher cut diamonds the shallow pavilion and open table accentuate the clarity of the stone and can make characteristics more easily visible.

In the report the main factors that determine the cost of polished diamonds are three of the 4cs cut carat color and clarity. Today the 4cs of diamond quality is the universal method for assessing the quality of any diamond anywhere in the world. The importance of diamond clarity is affected by the other diamond qualities such as shape and size. A chemically pure and structurally perfect diamond has no hue like a drop of pure water and consequently a higher value.

While a d color diamond is undoubtedly the best in terms of color the difference in price between a d color diamond and a diamond with a lower color grade but near identical appearance can often be huge. Every diamond certified by the gia undergoes a thorough independent evaluation. So the larger the diamond you buy the higher the color and clarity grades you should look for. The rapaport report displays a price for a combination of diamond color and clarity with a weight range of 0 01 to 5 99.

For example look at this 1 carat vs2 clarity excellent cut d color round brilliant cut diamond from james allen. If you don t want any hints of color look for a cushion cut diamond with a color grade of h or above. Understanding what diamond color means helps in choosing the right diamond. The color grade is more important than the clarity grade because cushion cut diamonds tend to retain a lot of color.

A lower color diamond with a higher cut grade will have more sparkle and visual appeal than a higher color diamond with a lower cut grade. A stone much larger than one carat should usually have a clarity of vs2 or higher and preferably a color grade around g or h.