About Diamonds Archives

GIA Holiday Shopping Guide: Buying the Right Diamond Shape

December 9, 2014

A diamond’s shape is often the very first consideration when selecting a piece of diamond jewelry. It’s quite clear why: each shape has its own attributes and offers a different aesthetic. Because of the wide variety of diamond shapes available, it’s important to zero in on the shape that works best for you. Today’s installment of GIA’s holiday buying guide series offer a few tips to help you pick the perfect diamond shape. (more…)

Diamonds Shape by Shape

August 26, 2014

When buying a diamond, you know how important the 4Cs are in defining diamond quality. But well before buying comes dreaming. And when you envision the perfect diamond you’ll own one day, chances are the first thing that comes to mind is its shape. (more…)

Diamond Anatomy, Explained

April 9, 2014

When you’re shopping for a diamond, its brightness and sparkle will draw you to the jewelry counter, and keep you captivated long after you’ve made your diamond purchase. Achieving maximum brightness and sparkle requires excellent cutting technique, which is reflected in the diamond’s cut grade. Of the 4Cs, no other ‘C’ has more impact on a diamond’s appearance. (more…)

Understanding the 4Cs of Diamond Quality

February 4, 2014

GIA created the 4Cs (Color, Clarity, Cut and Carat Weight) as a universal method for establishing how to check diamond quality anywhere in the world. The 4Cs means two very important things: diamond quality can be communicated in a universal language, and diamond-buying consumers can know exactly what they are about to purchase.

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Holiday Buying Guide – Part 4: Asking the Right Questions for a Diamond Purchase

November 27, 2013

For many, jewelry shopping can be an intimidating experience. Add crowded malls, a long list of gifts to purchase, and the desire to get ‘just the right thing,’ and it can be downright stressful. But knowing what to ask a jeweler can help make this a great shopping experience

In part 4 of our 2013 Holiday Buying Guide, GIA put together the top five questions to ask a jeweler when you’re shopping for jewelry this holiday season.

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4Cs Q&A with GIA: More on Diamonds

August 19, 2013

GIA’s 4Cs Q&A series wraps up with some bonus information on fluorescence, while passing along a few friendly words of advice. (more…)

Diamond Clarity: The absence of inclusions and blemishes

March 21, 2013

No diamonds are entirely without inclusions or blemishes, and these characteristics help gemologists accurately determine natural diamond clarity. (more…)

Diamond Color: The Absence of Color

March 19, 2013

Last week, we gave a broad overview of the 4Cs. Today, we discuss how to evaluate diamond color. Did you know most diamonds are not truly colorless and contain subtle hints of yellow or brown? (more…)

GIA Diamond Grading Scales: The Universal Measure of Quality

March 14, 2013

The prospect of purchasing a diamond may seem daunting, but through GIA, an unbiased authority on diamonds, you have several handy resources to help you select the highest quality diamond. First up, an overview of the 4Cs: Color, Clarity, Cut, and Carat Weight. (more…)

Interactive Diamond Tool Now Available for Android

March 6, 2013

Owners of Android phones and tablets like the Kindle Fire and Samsung Galaxy can now benefit from GIA’s (Gemological Institute of America) free interactive diamond app for consumers and retailers, available in both English and Simplified Chinese. The app engages consumers with interactive features, video content and information on the GIA-created 4Cs (Color, Clarity, Cut and Carat Weight) of diamond quality. (more…)

Print GIA’s Diamond Buying Guide – 4Cs Guide to Understanding Diamond Quality

February 11, 2013

Here is a printable diamond buying guide designed to help anyone shopping for a diamond understand the 4Cs of Diamond Quality; Color, Clarity, Cut and carat weight. Print this handy guide and take it with you wherever you need to better understand the 4Cs of diamond quality.

We hope our diamond buying guide will help you navigate and understand the relative quality differences that exist on the color, clarity and cut grading scales. Print this guide and take it with you when you visit your jeweler.

Updated: GIA report scales have been updated with the newest scales as of December 2019.

Diamond Buying Guide – Part 2

February 7, 2013

Previously we outlined four basic steps to purchasing a diamond. Today we will expand on our explanation of the 4Cs – the four factors that determine a diamond’s value. (more…)

GIA 4Cs Diamond Blog