Diamonds & grading
How diamonds are graded, what the grades look like in real life, and where the premium stops being worth paying.
Start with carat, the spec most buyers fixate on, then work through color, clarity and the grading reports that tie them together. Every guide here cites GIA or IGI documentation and published retailer pricing.
6 guides · 10 answers · 2 tools
Start hereWhat Does Carat Mean? Diamond Weight vs Size, ExplainedWhat does carat mean for diamonds? The precise definition, why carat measures weight not size and the pricing thresholds buyers should know.More guides
Diamond Color Scale: The GIA Grading System ExplainedGIA's diamond color scale runs D to Z. What each grade actually looks like, how lighting and setting metal change perception and which grades are worth the premium.GIA-Certified Lab-Grown Diamonds: What to Look ForWhat the report actually tells you, how it differs from the natural-diamond report and the verification steps every buyer should do after purchase.GIA Diamond Grading: How the Four Cs Are MeasuredGIA diamond grading explained: how the Gemological Institute of America measures clarity, cut, carat and color, and what the report actually tells you as a buyer.Lab Grown Diamonds for Engagement Rings: The Honest Buyer's GuideWhat they actually are, why size matters more than savings and how to buy one without the boutique markup.Marquise Diamond Engagement Rings: Bigger Than They LookWhy the shape reads larger than its carat weight, what the bowtie effect actually is and how to buy one that flatters the hand.Quick answers
- Do lab grown diamonds hold their value?
- GIA vs IGI: which is the better diamond certification?
- Is a 0.75 carat diamond big enough for an engagement ring?
- Is a 1.5 carat diamond big?
- Is a 1 carat diamond big?
- Is a 2 carat diamond big?
- Is a 3 carat diamond too big?
- Moissanite vs diamond: which should I choose for an engagement ring?
- Round vs oval diamond: which is better for an engagement ring?
- What is diamond fluorescence, and does it matter for engagement rings?