Diamonds occur naturally in every color. When we speak of color in a Diamond, we actually mean the degree of colorlessness. When it comes to white diamonds, the rarest and most valuable diamonds are those that appear completely colorless.

A diamond’s color is graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) on a D-Z scale:

Grades D, E, F :      Colorless

Grades G, H, I, J :   Near Colorless (90% of Jewelry uses this grade)

Grades K, L, M :   Faint ; these diamonds have a slight yellow/brown tinge          and are common

Grades N-R :          Very Light (Yellow or brown)

Grades S-Z :          Light (Yellow or Brown)

A carat (ct.) is the unit of measurement specifically used to describe the weight of a diamond (or other gemstones). A single carat is equivalent to 0.2 grams, or 200 milligrams, and is divided into 100 points. A certified diamond that comes with a grading report will indicate the exact carat weight to the nearest hundredth of a carat, in decimal format. A 1-ct diamond has 100 points (1.00) while a ¾ carat stone has 75 points (0.75).

Diamond prices rise exponentially with carat weight. So, a 2-carat diamond of a given quality is always worth more than two 1-carat diamonds of the same quality.

Clarity refers to Inclusions, sometimes known as "birthmarks", found internally in a diamond and Blemishes which are found externally in a diamond. These can be anything from air bubbles or cracks inside the diamond to even pieces of crystals from other materials.

A diamond’s clarity is graded by GIA on a scale from FL to I3

FL: Flawless – No Internal inclusions or external blemishes visible under 10x magnification.

IF: Internally Flawless: Free of internal inclusions. Insignificant blemishes visible under 10x magnification.

VVS1-VVS2: Very Very Slightly Included: Minute inclusions that are very difficult to locate under 10x magnification.

VS1-VS2: Very Slightly Included: Minute inclusions that are difficult to somewhat easy to see under 10x magnification.

SI1-SI2-SI3: Slightly Included: Noticeable inclusions that are easy to see under 10 x magnifications.

I1-I2-I3: Included: Inclusions that are obvious to a trained grader under 10x magnification and can be easily seen face-up with the unaided eye.

A diamond with few or no inclusions will be more valuable and have a higher clarity grade.

CUT is not to be mistaken for the shape of the diamond; it is determined by mathematical equations, which have been performed for centuries. While nature determines the color and clarity of a natural diamond, man is responsible for the cut quality which brings it to life.

The quality of the cut depends on 3 main aspects of the cut: Proportions, Symmetry and Polish; these three factors are important in creating a diamond with the best possible light reflection. It is the ultimate expression of a craftsman’s skill in transforming a rough diamond into a breathtaking gem. The cut of a diamond is the single most important factor because it’s what gives the diamond its Brilliance, Fire and Sparkle – the diamond’s three main effects on appearance. The precise proportions of the stone, symmetry of each facet and polish of the stone govern how light is reflected and refracted. Overall, we can say that it is the cut of the stone that has the most affect on its appearance and determines its true beauty.