Diamond and Jewelry Articles

The Gemological Institute of America has recently released a cut grade system for round brilliant diamonds and now includes an overall cut grade on all new reports.

Based upon the most comprehensive study of diamond cut ever undertaken, the new system results in a five grade scale with a top grade of Excellent.

Combining state-of-the-art science and extensive observational studies, the GIA has determined that the human eye can consistently differentiate cut quality among five categories designated as Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair and Poor. Within each category exists a range of proportions that qualifies a diamond for a particular grade, though stones within each grade can have somewhat different appeal based upon personal and cultural tastes.

Most importantly, the top grade of GIA Excellent includes most of the stones generally accepted by the trade to be "Ideal," along with other diamonds that heretofore some have considered (on paper) to be less than ideal.

In the market today there are numerous companies putting forth competing versions of ideal and even "super ideal" cut diamonds, many of which are limited to a very narrow range of specifications. Now that GIA has weighed in on the subject, consumers will benefit from the confidence that there are considerably more diamonds to choose from which are top performers in fire and brilliance. A customer buying a certified diamond with a report that has a cut grade equivalent to GIA Excellent can rest assured that no compromise has been made in beauty regarding the "fourth C."

This is good news for both consumers and manufacturers as diamond rough can be crafted more efficiently as cutters can make GIA excellent diamonds with less waste, and therefore, at less cost.

GIA provides detailed information on their website about the methodology behind the study and a tool to determine where a diamond will fall within the grading system by providing the necessary measurements. Diamonds with recent GIA reports done before cut grades were included can be reissued for a small fee.

Only round brilliant diamonds are currently graded for cut, but GIA is continuing research on other shapes and plans to release cut grades for princess and other cuts over time.

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