Loose Diamonds are Graded Using Four Categories

Loose diamonds are very beautiful stones used in making a variety of jewelry. These gemstones are graded by jewelers using an industry standard set forth by the Gemological Institute of America. There are four categories to grade certified loose diamonds.

The first is cut. The cut of the stone determines the overall shape of the stone. The cut also includes the many facets cut into the stone in order to make it glisten and sparkle on the light. Every facet must be cut perfectly by a professional or it will compromise the shine of the stone. The second category is clarity. Since diamonds are formed within the earth, they usually have some imperfections. These imperfections are referred to as blemishes and inclusions. Most are not visible to the naked eye, but they still decrease the value of the stone.

The third category is color. Although colorless (or “white”) diamonds are the most popular, there are other colors too, like black, brown, pink, and blue. The final category is the carat weight. This is how jewelers weigh loose diamonds to determine their size. The bigger the carat weight, the bigger the stone. With all of the other categories constant, the price of the stone will increase with the carat weight.