Diamond Grading System

The Diamond Grading System

For the years I've been purchasing diamonds, I can always determine if the stone is worth what I'm paying for it by performing a few tests on it. A lot of consumers think that this is all standard procedure by people who sell diamonds. This is not so and most jewelers don't have half the tools they should for properly grading a diamond.

The first thing I do is weigh it on a scale to determine the carat weight.

scalesmall.JPG (3873 bytes)

Next I'll check it out under a gemological microscope for imperfections. I want to see how clear the stone is, or it's "clarity". Most stores at best offer a loupe. As you progress through this site you'll see how a scope can spoil ya.

jon at desk.jpg (91918 bytes)

Then I'll lay the diamond upside down (point up) against a flat white background (like a white business card) and see if there is any "color" in the stone (most typically yellow or brown) and determine the intensity or saturation of the color that is in the stone, after observing this I also put the diamond in something called a colorimeter to further refine the color grade. (You'll learn more about the colorimeter as you get to the chapter on "color").

color yellow brown@320.JPG (41549 bytes)

I'll then take the diamond and put it into a device called a "proportion analyzer" (Sarin Machine) to determine how well the diamond cutter did his job when "cutting" the stone. Sadly, the most information a jewelry store can tell you about the cut is that "it's a round cut", or "it's a pear cut", or "the cut is good". When you get done with this site these comments from jewelers will make you laugh. ;) and add new dimension to what exactly is a good cut stone. I'll be addressing the most popular cut grading system used amongst gemologist's today. The AGS cut grading system.

A very new device I've recently put together is called the LightScope. For years I've taught my clients about how light can leak out of poorly cut stones and how brilliant diamonds can be when cut properly. This instrument, the LightScope, graphically displays the amount of light leakage a diamond has as well as it's light retention. You'll learn about that exclusively here at "The Ultimate Diamond Information Site".

Jonwithcomput02.jpg (303574 bytes)

These 4 aspects of the diamond that are considered are known as the "Four C's" of diamonds. If any of you has done any kind of reading or research at all on diamonds, you have, no doubt heard this term, "The Four C's". The Institute that devised this diamond grading system is the Gemological Institute of America (heretofore referred to as GIA).

gia1.JPG (48150 bytes)

While there are many excellent Gemological Institutions throughout the world, this one is probably the most recognized. On this site you are going to learn many things about the 4 C's that is simply not found elsewhere on the Web. So kick back, get a cup of java and get ready to have fun learning about one of God's most incredible creations.

Go on to the 4C's Main Menu Click here to Proceed