Understanding a GIA Diamond Grading Report

Provided by the Gemological Institute of America, the GIA Diamond Grading Report system is the international benchmark for diamond grading. Your GIA Diamond Grading Report documents your stone’s specific characteristics using the following guides:

Shape and Cutting Style: Diamond shape and cut
Measurement: Diamond's dimensions in millimeters
Carat Weight: Diamond weight to the nearest hundredth of a carat.
Color Grade: Evaluation of the diamond’s absence of color
Clarity Grade: Evaluation of the diamond’s clarity under 10x magnification
Cut Grade: Evaluation of the diamond's face-up appearance, design and craftsmanship (available on round diamonds graded after Jan. 1, 2006)
Finish: Evaluation of the diamond's surface and facets
Polish: Evaluation of the diamond’s overall surface smoothness
Symmetry: Evaluation of the diamond’s shape, alignment, facet placement and evenness of the outline
Fluorescence: Evaluation of the diamond’s color and strength of color when viewed under UV light
Comments: Notation of additional characteristics not previously mentioned
Clarity Plot: Map of the approximate size, type and position of inclusions
Proportion Diagram: Map of the diamond's actual proportions, including depth, table, girdle and culet
Depth: The height of a gemstone measured from the culet to the table
Table: The uppermost flat surface of the diamond
Girdle: Range of girdle thickness
Culet: Appearance, or lack thereof, of the culet facet

To learn more about the Gemological Institute of America, please visit http://www.gia.edu/about/41/linking_to_gia.cfm