WHAT IS A GIA DIAMOND?

GIA

You hear it often when shopping for diamonds.

I say it all the time; “Only buy GIA!“

But what exactly is a GIA diamond?

Is it a specific quality of stone? A size? A carat weight? Or does it have to do with proportions or shape?

Actually YES!

It’s all of the above. In fact, a GIA diamond can be any diamond, regardless of weight, shape, color, clarity or cut.

Every single diamond (with a few exceptions), can be a GIA diamond.

A GIA diamond means that the diamond is graded by GIA (The Gemological Institute of America)… Not to be confused with IGI or AGS.

That’s all it really means. GIA doesn’t buy diamonds, they don’t sell diamonds, all they do is grade them. Period.

GIA actually came up with the current 4C’s system that all of the country uses. GIA wrote the book on diamonds and diamond grading.

Take a peek at the GIA 4C’s grading chart below:

GIA is the best in the industry, they are highly admired, trusted, and extremely accurate when it comes to diamond knowledge and analysis.

There are tons of other companies that grade diamonds as well (EGL and IGI are the most familiar), but these companies are more lax in their findings, and the diamond you think you’re buying, could be something totally different (i.e. an SI2 could really be an I1; meaning you paid too much!)

See the differences between GIA and IGI diamonds:

CARAT, CLARITY, COLOR, CUT, POL, SYM, FLUOR, CERT	PRICE	VIEW
1.60, SI2, E, EX, EX, EX, NONE, GIA	$11,920	VIEW
1.61, SI2, E, EX, EX, EX, NONE, IGI	$8,230	VIEW

(Prices good at the time of this post.)

Now, not all IGI diamonds will look like this. Some actually will resemble a GIA SI2 (or whatever clarity you’re looking at)… But, you’d have a very difficult time in finding a GIA diamond that looks as bad as this IGI. It’s like night and day. What this all means is that you have to proceed with caution when buying a diamond that isn’t graded by GIA. What you get could be true, or it could be miles apart. Are you willing to risk the chance, and the money?

GIA has the most technically advanced diamond grading system in the world. They are highly strict, and have triple redundancy when it comes to reporting (meaning, it’s not just one person’s opinion, it’s three).

GIA is the company to trust

If a diamond comes with a GIA diamond report, then you’ll have peace of mind and security. Also meaning, you aren’t getting ripped off or taking the jeweler’s word for what that diamond is.

So if you’re shopping for diamonds, make sure you ask for a GIA certified stone.

And if you want my recommendation on which quality to buy, I’d suggest SI1, E, Excellent diamonds:

Just like these diamonds here!

GIA is the only report that matters.

No matter what quality you purchase, no matter what size or shape, get GIA. You’ll never regret it.

P.S. The only diamonds that GIA does not grade, are man-made diamonds, fracture filled diamonds, or pre-mounted diamonds (diamonds already set in the mounting).

GIA only grades loose diamonds.

And that’s exactly how you should buy them; loose.

Check out all the loose diamonds here at James Allen.

Cheers! :)