Diamonds - Grading Diamonds 

By Teri Champigny

Diamonds are graded or valued based upon three criteria. Those three are the caret (karat) or weight of the stone, its clarity, and its color. This is important ‘stuff’ to know because the price is based on the grade. The cut of the diamond has a great deal to do with the price as well but we will discuss cut another time. Right now, let’s just talk about the weight, clarity and color of diamonds.

Carats or karats: One carat of diamond weight is equal to about 200 milligrams of actual weight. A diamond that looks bigger has more karats than a smaller one and is priced accordingly. Remember that each diamond in a piece of jewelry has a separate carat weight. Remember, too, that larger diamonds are in higher demand and of more value than smaller carat diamonds. A piece of jewelry with several small diamonds that equal one carat will cost much less that a piece that contains only one 1 carat diamond.

Diamond Clarity: The clarity of a diamond does not refer to how clear it is but rather to the flaws that are present in the stone. There are very few diamonds known of that have perfect clarity. Most all diamonds have some flaws in them. The number and size of the flaws determines the clarity and the clarity is part of what determines the price. Most flaws cannot be seen with the naked eye. A jeweler’s loupe must be used to see them.

Diamond Color: Diamonds really aren’t colorless. All of them have some color but the ones that appear to be colorless (called white diamonds) are the standard by which all diamonds are graded. The GIA (Gemological Institute of America) provides a standards and guidelines that the color of diamonds is graded on.