GIA Grading: Diamond Certification
When looking at diamonds, the top things buyers look at are the Four C’s: Color, Cut, Clarity, and Carat—but where did these grading statistics come from? There are several grading institutes across the world, but only one can be the best: the Gemological Institute of America, or GIA for short.
What is the Gemological Institute of America (GIA)?
GIA is an acronym for the Gemological Institute of America, which is considered the world’s leading geological research institute. Established in 1931, GIA is the world’s highest authority on diamonds, colored stones, and pearls.
In the 1940’s, the GIA created and implemented the Four C’s and the International Diamond Grading System™. Since then, the GIA, along with every other grading institute in the world, has been grading diamonds based on these principles.
Color
Refers to the degree to which a diamond is colorless. The closer a diamond is to colorless, the rarer and more valuable it is. A diamond color scale ranges from D-Z—beyond that, are considered “fancy” colors. Grades D, E, and F make up the colorless range which are very valuable. The Near Colorless Range of G, H, I, and J is very popular and offers a lot of value.
Cut
The cut of a diamond refers to the exact proportions, quality of polish and the arrangement of a diamond’s facets. A diamond has facets that allow light to enter it, become refracted, and exit in a rainbow of colors.
Clarity
Refers to the presence of inclusions in a diamond. Inclusions are natural identifying characteristics such as minerals or fractures, that appear while the diamonds are being formed. They may look like tiny crystals, pinpoints, clouds or feathers. Inclusions are ranked on a scale of perfection known as the clarity scale. The scale ranges from F (Flawless) to I (Included) and is based on the visibility of inclusions at 10x magnification.
Carat
Carat is not a measure of a diamond’s size but, rather a measure of a diamond’s weight. One carat can also be divided into 100 points. A 0.75 carat diamond is the same as 75 points or 3/4 carat diamond.
Once a diamond has been graded by GIA, it is given a unique identification number that can be used to trace its history and a report is generated.
Gemological Institute of America vs. Other Grading Labs
Considering GIA stands for Gemological Institute of America, it is a given that there are grading institutes all over the world, including more in the United States. GIA is usually compared to IGI, or International Gemological Institute. IGI was established in 1975 with locations in several countries known as diamond centers all over the world. Similar to GIA, IGI also offers courses and workshops in addition to its diamond and gemstone grading services.
Other grading institutes include EGL (European Gemological Laboratory), GCAL (Gem Certification & Assurance Lab), AGS (American Gem Society), and so many more.
However, it is a well-known fact that no other laboratory grades diamonds as critically as the Gemological Institute of America. For example, IGI places a greater emphasis on the cut of the diamond, while GIA places more emphasis on color and clarity.
Why Buy GIA Graded Diamonds?
The Gemological Institute of America is not only a grading lab but also an educational institution. It invests significantly in gemological research and provides training for gemologists worldwide. This commitment to education and research enhances its credibility.
As stated above, the GIA is considered the most prestigious and established grading institution with a reputation for having the most stringent grading standards in the industry. It is often considered the industry standard for diamond grading, and their certificates are widely recognized and respected around the world. Knowing this, why wouldn’t you want your diamond graded by the best?
Find GIA Graded Diamonds at Lauren B
At Lauren B, we have several GIA Graduates on staff. Schedule an appointment with one of our incredibly talented design consultants to create your dream ring with a GIA graded diamond from our exclusive inventory.
