Diamond Grading
 

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 We focus on facts to ensure you have the information to make the right choices when buying diamonds. Sit back and watch our videos or read our articles to get the whole story. Our impartial advice will help you make the right decision, because Diamonds are Forever...

Diamond Grading Reports
Many diamond grading reports provide facts and information relating to the diamond you have purchased. A typical diamond grading report details the following:

  • Carat Weight

  • Size, symmetry and proportions

  • Clarity Grade

  • Color Grade

  • Fluorescence

But would you understand the meaning of a grading report stating that the diamond was clarity VS2 and the color E with a faint level of fluorescence? All the diamond grading charts are detailed below to help you through the minefield of buying a diamond!

Diamond Grading - The Quality of the Diamond
The quality of a diamond is determined by a number of different methods including the famous 4 C s of diamond grading (Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat Weight). This diamond grading system provides an excellent guide to the quality of a diamond. The numbers, sizes, colors, locations and visibility of any inclusions and / or blemishes in a diamond can also effect the grading and quality of a diamond. This page details the grading systems and charts relating to diamond clarity, color grading for white or colorless diamonds, carat weight and a diamond fluorescence grading chart.

Diamond Grading - Clarity Grading
The majority of Diamond Inclusions cannot be seen by the human eye so systems have been developed to grade diamond clarity. The different types of diamond grades reflecting clarity are detailed on the Diamond Clarity Chart. Diamond grading on a Diamond Clarity Chart ranges from high quality, rare and expensive flawless to imperfect and cheap diamonds. As the majority of inclusions cannot be seen by the naked eye they are located by a jeweller under a 10 power magnification and then graded according to their clarity. The grading and levels are described on the Clarity Chart. An excellent grading guide when choosing diamonds.
 

Diamond Grading - Clarity Chart
Grading Abbreviation Grading Description  Details of Clarity Grading Quality
F Flawless No internal or external flaws

Very Rare and Expensive
IF Internally Flawless No internal flaws Rare and Expensive
VVS1 Very, Very Small Inclusions
Level 1		 Very Difficult to see inclusions under 10x magnification Expensive
VVS2 Very, Very Small Inclusions
Level 2		 Difficult to see inclusions under 10x magnification Less Expensive
VS Very Small Inclusions

Inclusions are noticeable to a jeweller under 10x magnification

 ↓
VS1 Very Small Inclusions
Level 1

Inclusions are noticeable to a jeweller under 10x magnification

 ↓
VS2 Very Small Inclusions
Level 2

Inclusions are noticeable to a jeweller under 10x magnification

 ↓
SI Small Inclusions

Inclusions are easily seen to a jeweller under 10x magnification

 ↓
SI1 Small Inclusions
Level 1

Inclusions are easily seen under 10x magnification but not visible to naked eye

 ↓

SI2 Small Inclusions
Level 2

Inclusions are easily seen under 10x magnification but not visible to naked eye

 ↓
LI Large Inclusions Inclusions are visible to naked eye but minimum loss of brilliance ↓
LI1 Large Inclusions
Level 1		 Larger Inclusions visible to naked eye with small loss of brilliance ↓
LI2 Large Inclusions
Level 2		 Larger Inclusions visible to naked eye with dulling of brilliance ↓
LI3 Large Inclusions
Level 3		 Larger Inclusions visible to naked eye with brilliance diminished Cheapest
Grading Abbreviation Grading Description  Details of Clarity Grading Quality
Diamond Grading - Clarity Chart

 

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Diamond Grading - Color Grading for White Colored or Colorless Diamonds
White colored, or colorless, diamonds are categorised into the following: Colorless, Nearly colorless, Faintly tinted (usually yellow), Lightly tinted (usually yellow) and Tinted (usually yellow but may progress to brownish). The scale and grading for colorless diamonds goes from 'D' (colorless) to 'Z' (dark yellow). The less color, the more expensive.

Diamond Color Scale or Grading for
White or Colorless Diamonds
Color  Diamond Color Scale or Grading
Colorless
 D E F

Diamond Color Grade D
Color Grade E
Color Grade F


Most Expensive & Desirable
Near Colorless
G H I J		 Color Grade G
Color Grade H
Color Grade I
Color Grade J

↓
Faint Yellow
K L M		 Color Grade K
Color Grade L
Color Grade M

↓
Very Light Yellow
N O P R 		Color Grade N
Color Grade O
Color Grade P
Color Grade R

↓

Dark Yellow
S T U V W X Y Z		 Color Grade S
Color Grade T
Color Grade U
Color Grade V
Color Grade W
Color Grade X
Color Grade Y
Color Grade Z

Cheapest & Least Desirable
Color  Diamond Color Scale or Grading
Diamond Color Scale or Grading for
White or Colorless Diamonds

Diamond Fluorescence Chart / Grading Reports
Many grading reports confirm whether or not a diamond fluoresces, and if it does, the level of the effect - none, faint, slight, moderate, strong or extreme. The strength of fluorescence in diamonds is described in the following chart by specific abbreviations:

Diamond Fluorescence Grading Chart
Grading  Levels
N, NO, NON No Fluorescence
F, FB, FT, FA Faint or Faint Blue Fluorescence
SL, SLB, SLT Slight Fluorescence
M, MO, ME, MD Medium or Moderate Fluorescence
S, ST, STB, STG Strong Fluorescence
E, EX, EXB, EF Extreme Fluorescence 

Diamond Grading - Carat Weight defines the weight, not the size, of a Diamond
The Carat Weight defines the weight, not the size, of a Diamond.  The size of a diamond relate to the proportions, dimensions or measurement in terms of length, width and height.  In diamond grading the carat weight is the standard unit of measure that defines the actual weight of a diamond. A Carat is a standard unit of weight for diamonds. In diamond grading carat weights are also expressed as "points" with a one carat diamond equalling 100 points:

  • A carat is abbreviated as "ct."

  • 1 ct. = 0.2 grams and 100 points = 1 carat

  • 1 ct. = 100 points

Diamond Grading
 A guide to Diamond Grading providing facts and information about clarity, color, carat weight and fluorescence.

 

Diamonds are Forever...
 An Impartial Guide to Diamonds

 
 

Diamonds - Precious - Stone - Guide - Color - Facts - Information -Info - Jewelry - Jewellery
Quality - Clarity - Fluorescence - Color - Weight

Diamond Grading
 

Information about Diamond Grading

Discover some fascinating information about Diamond Grading.

  • Facts and Information

  • Guide to Diamond Grading

  • Quality of diamonds

  • Clarity Grading

  • Fluorescence & Color Grading
 
 

Diamond Grading - Precious - Stone - Guide - Color - Facts - Information -Info - Jewelry - Dimond - Dimonds - Jewellery - Jewlery - Daimond - Daimonds - Jewelery - Jewellry - Properties - Quality - Settings - Shapes - Sizes - Structure - Jewel - Gem - Gemstone - Precious - Stone - Guide - Color - Facts - Information -Info - Jewelry - Dimond - Dimonds - Jewellery - Jewlery - Daimond - Daimonds - Jewelery - Jewellry - Properties - Quality - Settings - Shapes - Sizes - Structure - Jewel - Gem - Gemstone - Diamond Grading - Written By Linda Alchin

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