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How to Determine the Cut, Clarity & Carat of a Diamond

It takes a great deal of study and expertise to determine the quality of a diamond. Fortunately, the Gemological Institute of America has provided clear guidelines so a consumer can understand the meaning of the terms and rankings assigned to their diamond. The GIA standards are considered industry standards in America, and you should proceed with caution if your diamond merchant applies an alternate grading system to his gemstones.

Things You'll Need

10x magnifier or jeweler's loop
Metric scale

Instructions

- 1
  Understand the difference in a diamond's "cut" and its shape. Many people confuse the terms. According to the GIA, "cut refers to a diamond's proportions, symmetry and polish." Shape refers to the actual shape of the diamond such as round, oval, marquise, etc.
  
  Consult a gemologist or diamond expert to determine the quality of the cut. To determine the quality of a diamond's cut, you must have a depth of expertise in diamond faceting and the interplay of a diamond's crown angle, table size and pavilion depth.
- 2
  Count the number of imperfections in a diamond while examining it under 10x magnification to determine its clarity.
- 3
  Refer to the GIA Clarity Scale if you do not have the expertise to determine a diamond's clarity yourself. Ask your diamond merchant for paperwork documenting a diamond's clarity before purchasing. Under the GIA scale, the best diamonds have no visible imperfections and are classified as "Flawless." Diamonds classified as "Imperfect" are the lowest grade.
- 4
  Weigh your diamond on a metric scale to determine carat weight. One carat equals about 0.2 grams, which is roughly what a standard paper clip weighs. Count each hundredth of a gram as one point of a carat. For example, if your diamond weighs 50 hundredths of a gram, it is 0.50 carats.

Gemology