Diamond Terms

Anatomy

This term defines the different sections of a diamond and how exactly they’re chopped into pieces. Furthermore, its anatomy forms part of the diamond’s cut grade.

Appraisal

A diamond’s appraisal takes place at the culmination of a rigorous investigation of the diamond’s qualities.

Asscher Cut

An “Asscher’s cut” diamond style is similar in appearance to the majority of emerald cuts and possesses a square-type of look. In popular culture, these cuts are described as a “beautiful hallway with reflective mirrors.”

Blemish

Known as discoloration on the diamond’s surface.

Carat

is defined as the weight of a diamond.

Cavity

is defined as a crater on the surface of the diamond.

Carbon Spots

These are filth spots within a diamond piece. Quite often, this type of filth is usually seen as black spots. Carbon spots can be seen by the naked-eye but in some instance the use of a microscope will be required to truly see it

Certification

defined as a document of all grades, plots, and traits of a diamond.

Color

refers to the graded color tones of a diamond, based on a scale of D (colorless) to Z (Yellow Brown).

Crown

the crown is the upper portion of a diamond that lies above the girdle. This includes the table facet surrounded by the other upper-girdle facets.

Cut

refers to the proportions and finish of a polished diamond.

Depth

is known as the height of a diamond from the culet to the table and it is measured in millimeters by all diamond experts.

Depth Percentage

The depth percentage is the diamond’s height divided by width. This influences the brilliance and sparkle of a diamond.

Diamond

This is why we are all here. A diamond is defined a precious stone composed of pure carbon which is a a naturally occurring substance.

Diamond Plot

a plot is a mapping of a diamond’s interior and exterior flaws.

Diamond Treatments

These are a variety of techniques used better the clarity of all diamonds. The GIA does not certify diamonds that have been laser drilled or fracture filled.

Dispersion

This refers to smaller facets angled downward and at different degrees, allowing the design to break up white light when it hits the surface. Dispersion is also called fire.

Emerald Cut

An emerald cut diamond is a square or rectangular-shaped diamond with cut corners.

Extra Facet

is any facet that is not part of the shape’s standard cut. This is acquired by the cutter due to a limitation or flaw in the original rough stone.

Facet

is a diamond’s flat and polished surface.

Fair Cut

is a type of cut that reduces brilliance due to light entering the diamond and escaping from the sides or bottom of a diamond.

Fluorescence

is an shining blueish color that glows from the diamond’s surface when placed under a UV light.

GIA

Defined as the Gemological Institute of America is a non-profit educational institution that focuses its work in diamonds and their certification.

GIA Certificate

is an in-depth lab report of a diamond, including a map of the diamond inside and out along with grades upon which the diamond is graded.

GIA Dossier

is an abbreviated certification of the GIA Grading report. This certification is used for smaller diamonds.

GIA Grading Report

works as a review assessment of the “Diamond 4C’s” (color, clarity, cut, and carat) and a plotted diagram of a diamond’s proportions and characteristics.

Laser Inscription

A laser inscription is a text written in the girdle of a diamond by laser.

Length to Width Ratio

This ratio term refers to the calculations of a diamond, taken by dividing length (longer measure) by width (shorter perpendicular to length).

Make

the make refers to a diamond’s cut proportion.

Marquise Cut

Known as a fancy shaped diamond extended with points at each end.

Measurements

These refer to the width, depth, and length in millimeters of all diamonds.

Mohs Scale

A type of scale used to compare hardness of natural minerals that make up the diamond. From a scale of 1-10, the Mohs Scale is very valuable.

Natural

this term refers to the small remains ofa rough stone with an unpolished surface of the finished diamond. The surface of course, shows the original natural part of the diamond.

Needle

is a fine extended inclusion within the diamond.

Oval Cut

A type of broadened and brilliant diamond cut that makes the diamond longer and slimmer.

Pavilion

defined as the the entire portion of the diamond that sits below the girdle.

Pavilion Angle

is the number of degrees between the plane of the table and the pavilion facets.

Pear Shaped

diamond type that holds a modified brilliant cut, which in turn combines the round and marquise shape. Furthermore, it also holds a thinner point on one end.

Pinpoint

is a tiny crystal found inside a diamond. When clustered together, pinpoints can form a cloud in the diamond.

Point

a point is a measurement used to describe the weight of diamonds. Every point is equal to 1/100th of a carat.

Polish

the polish refers to the smoothness of each facet of a diamond.

Princess Cut

diamonds are fancy cut diamonds that are traditionally square, but many are slightly rectangular.

Proportion

refers to the relationship between the size, shape, and angle of each facet of a diamond.

Radiant Cut

is a brilliant cut fancy shape that resembles a square or rectangle shape with the corners cut off.

Ratio

is how much longer a diamond is than it is wide.

Round

defined as a brilliant cut. It contains 58 facets or 57 if there is no culet.

Shapes

There are about 10 diamond shapes. These are defined as round, princess, oval, marquise, pear, cushion, emerald, asscher, radiant, and heart.

Single Cut

These cuts leave tiny round diamonds that only have around 16-17 facets. These are normally seen more in pave jewelry or small set diamonds.

Step Cut

These diamonds refer to the flat places in the diamond that resemble stair steps. There are three rows of facets arranged around the table and on the pavilion.

Symmetry

When concerning a diamond’s symmetry, there are many varieties, such as the misalignment of facets or facets that fail to point at the girdle (undetected to the naked eye).

Table

is defined as the flat facet that is on top of the diamond piece.

Table Percentage

A table percentage provides the diameter of the table facet in comparison to the diameter of the entire diamond piece.

Trillion Cut

known as a shining fancy shape diamond that is triangular in cut.

Yield

lastly, this term refers to the weight of finished diamonds cut from the rough stone. For example: there is a greater yield cutting a two carat diamond from a three carat rough than a two carat rough from a six carat diamond.

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