This section of our web sight is designed to help you make some sense of our terminology, introduce you to the essentials of diamond grading, and familiarize you with our market. It is not a gemological course, and should not be interpreted as such, but it's a whole lot more than you're going to find in any pamphlet or get from a store. Most of the information contained in this explanation of grading practices is derived from course material from the Graduate Gemologist Program offered by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), but we've deciphered in into useable English for you.

A diamond is probably the most precious, yet obscure object that you will ever see. Unfortunately, a few disreputable jewelers have made purchasing a diamond one of the most challenging investments you will ever make. A one carat diamond weighs about one-fifth the weight of the average paper clip, and yet some cost as much as a luxury automobile. Subtle factors which affect the grade and market value of a diamond do not necessarily affect its attractiveness and this is where the average consumer gets frustrated.

How is it possible that one store can advertise one-carat engagement rings for sixteen hundred dollars while another store just a few doors down sells its one-carat diamond rings for ten thousand dollars? And what is all of this VVS-D, SI-1 - F, and I-1 - M, stuff really mean? What is a "certified diamond" and what does it mean when a jeweler says that diamond grading is subjective? The answers to all of these questions and more can be found in the sections on diamond grading that follow this page.

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