Diamond Grading - The Quality of the Diamond
The quality of a diamond is determined by a number of different methods including the famous 4 C s of diamond grading (Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat Weight). This diamond grading system provides an excellent guide to the quality of a diamond. The numbers, sizes, colors, locations and visibility of any inclusions and / or blemishes in a diamond can also effect the grading and quality of a diamond. This page details the grading systems and charts relating to diamond clarity, color grading for white or colorless diamonds, carat weight and a diamond fluorescence grading chart.

Diamond Grading - Clarity Grading
The majority of Diamond Inclusions cannot be seen by the human eye so systems have been developed to grade diamond clarity. The different types of diamond grades reflecting clarity are detailed on the Diamond Clarity Chart. Diamond grading on a Diamond Clarity Chart ranges from high quality, rare and expensive flawless to imperfect and cheap diamonds. As the majority of inclusions cannot be seen by the naked eye they are located by a jeweller under a 10 power magnification and then graded according to their clarity. The grading and levels are described on the Clarity Chart. An excellent grading guide when choosing diamonds.

F - Flawless - No internal or external flaws - Very Rare and Expensive

IF - Internally Flawless - No internal flaws - Rare and Expensive

VVS1 - Very, Very Small Inclusions Level 1 - Very Difficult to see inclusions under 10x magnification - Expensive

VVS2 - Very, Very Small Inclusions Level 2 - Difficult to see inclusions under 10x magnification - Less Expensive

VS - Very Small Inclusions - Inclusions are noticeable to a jeweller under 10x magnification - ↓

VS1 - Very Small Inclusions Level 1 - Inclusions are noticeable to a jeweller under 10x magnification - ↓

VS2 - Very Small Inclusions Level 2 - Inclusions are noticeable to a jeweller under 10x magnification - ↓

SI - Small Inclusions - Inclusions are easily seen to a jeweller under 10x magnification - ↓

SI1 - Small Inclusions Level 1 - Inclusions are easily seen under 10x magnification but not visible to naked eye - ↓

SI2 - Small Inclusions Level 2 - Inclusions are easily seen under 10x magnification but not visible to naked eye - ↓

LI - Large Inclusions - Inclusions are visible to naked eye but minimum loss of brilliance - ↓

LI1 - Large Inclusions Level 1 - Larger Inclusions visible to naked eye with small loss of brilliance - ↓

LI2 - Large Inclusions Level 2 - Larger Inclusions visible to naked eye with dulling of brilliance - ↓

LI3 - Large Inclusions Level 3 - Larger Inclusions visible to naked eye with brilliance diminished - Cheapest

Diamond Grading - Color Grading for White Colored or Colorless Diamonds
White colored, or colorless, diamonds are categorised into the following: Colorless, Nearly colorless, Faintly tinted (usually yellow), Lightly tinted (usually yellow) and Tinted (usually yellow but may progress to brownish). The scale and grading for colorless diamonds goes from 'D' (colorless) to 'Z' (dark yellow). The less color, the more expensive.

Color -  Diamond Color Scale or Grading

Near Colorless G H I J - Grade G, Grade H, Grade I, Grade J - ↓

Very Light Yellow N O P R  - Grade N, Grade O, Grade P, Grade R - ↓

Diamond Fluorescence Chart / Grading Reports
Many grading reports confirm whether or not a diamond fluoresces, and if it does, the level of the effect - none, faint, slight, moderate, strong or extreme. The strength of fluorescence in diamonds is described in the following chart by specific abbreviations:

Diamond Fluorescence Grading Chart

Grading -  Levels

N, NO, NON - No Fluorescence

F, FB, FT, FA - Faint or Faint Blue Fluorescence

SL, SLB, SLT - Slight Fluorescence

M, MO, ME, MD - Medium or Moderate Fluorescence

S, ST, STB, STG - Strong Fluorescence

E, EX, EXB, EF - Extreme Fluorescence 

Diamond Grading - Carat Weight defines the weight, not the size, of a Diamond
The Carat Weight defines the weight, not the size, of a Diamond.  The size of a diamond relate to the proportions, dimensions or measurement in terms of length, width and height.  In diamond grading the carat weight is the standard unit of measure that defines the actual weight of a diamond. A Carat is a standard unit of weight for diamonds. In diamond grading carat weights are also expressed as "points" with a one carat diamond equalling 100 points:

• A carat is abbreviated as "ct."
1 ct. = 0.2 grams and 100 points   1 ct. = 100 points

Diamond Grading
A guide to Diamond Grading providing facts and information about clarity, color, carat weight and fluorescence.

Diamonds are Forever...
An Impartial Guide to Diamonds

Diamonds - Precious - Stone - Guide - Color - Facts - Information -Info - Jewelry - Jewellery
Quality - Clarity - Fluorescence - Color - Weight