
Grading Gemstones and Diamonds
How to grade colored gemstones and diamonds including using the 4Cs –Color, Clarity, Cut, and Carat Weight.

Interview with GCAL: Grading Reports and 8X Diamond Cuts
GCAL by Sarine is a US-based company that offers a diverse range of services, from diamond grading to precious metal...
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A Consumer’s Guide to Gem Grading
Learn how gemologists evaluate color, clarity, cut, and carat for gem grading. Consumers can use this information to find the...
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Grading Gem Carvings
Gem carvings are judged on material, workmanship, and artistry. Learn how to apply these criteria to a piece with our...
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Evaluating Gemstone Cutting: The Five Ps
In recent decades, something remarkable invaded the thinking process of the colored stone industry. From dealers to consumers, they all...
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Clarity Grading Diamonds
Mastering clarity grading diamonds takes a lot of experience. This grading guide, with definitions, images, and examples, can help beginning...
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Diamond Rating: A Beginner’s Guide
First-time buyers may not understand how diamond rating works. Our guide will teach you how diamonds are graded, so you...
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Distinguishing Diamonds: Educating Your Eyes
Distinguishing diamonds from their lookalikes requires educated eyes. Learn what visual features to look for and the properties of many...
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Modern Diamond Cut Grading Methods
The GIA modern diamond cut grading method is the most widely accepted in the industry. Our step-by-step guide covers the...
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How to Grade Fancy Cut Diamonds
Fancy cut diamonds can have any finished shape, except round. These stones have their own grading criteria, in particular regarding...
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Traditional Diamond Cut Grading Methods
Traditional diamond cut grading methods prepare gemologists for making evaluations with minimal time, tools, and references. This step-by-step guide covers...
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Clarity Grading for Colored Gemstones
Don't underestimate the importance of clarity, one of the Four Cs of gemstone grading. For faceted gems, basic clarity grading...
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How to Grade Set Gemstones
Gems in jewelry settings can't be evaluated the same way as loose stones. These guidelines are for gemologists learning to...
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An Introduction to Gemstone Grading
How goes gemstone grading work? Learn how gemologists evaluate both diamonds and colored gems and the qualities they examine.
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Advice for Determining Gemstone Value
Judging gemstone value is complex, and new gemologists can have trouble with this. These four exercises can help you learn...
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Carats and Gemstone Grading
Carats are the units used to measure gem weight and one of the main factors in gem grading. Learn what...
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Blue Tourmaline (Indicolite) Buying Guide
Our indicolite buying guide can help you learn how these blue tourmalines are graded, what to avoid, and how to...
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Rubellite Tourmaline Buying Guide
Our rubellite buying guide can help you learn how rubellites are graded, what to avoid, and how to identify a...
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Chrome Tourmaline Buying Guide
Rare chrome tourmaline can show an emerald-like green color. With a highly desired color and tourmaline's excellent qualities as a...
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Color Grading Fancy Colored Diamonds
The color grading standards for white diamonds don't apply to fancy colored diamonds. Learn the GIA and Argyle grading systems...
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Verdelite (Green Tourmaline) Buying Guide
Looking for a tourmaline jewelry stone? If you like green and you're on a budget, green tourmaline or verdelite is...
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The GIA Diamond Cut Grading System
How does the GIA diamond cut grading system work? Our guide will explain what the grades mean and how gemologists...
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Exposing Diamond Overgrading at EGL Labs
The effects of the 2014 scandal over diamond overgrading at EGL labs are still emerging. Learn what gemologists and retailers...
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2018 Update to the FTC Diamond Jewelry Guides
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) can help jewelry marketers avoid making deceptive claims. Learn about the FTC diamond jewelry...
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Can Blockchain Diamonds Solve Ethical Sourcing and Grading Issues?
Blockchain tech can provide secure, digital transaction records. Can blockchain diamonds resolve ethical and legal issues related to sourcing and...
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FTC Guidelines for Grading Diamond Quality
The FTC requires jewelers to accurately represent the diamond quality grading systems they use. Learn the guidelines and protect yourself...
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Evaluating Diamond Cuts: The Hanneman Diamond Cut Grading System, Lesson Four
The Hanneman System makes evaluating diamond cuts easier. You can use total height and C/P ratios to cut grade round...
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Cut Diamond Grade Categories: The Hanneman Diamond Cut Grading System, Lesson Three
The Hanneman System simplifies cut diamond grade categories. Learn how to identify the worst cut stones quickly before taking unnecessary...
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Basic Diamond Proportions: The Hanneman Diamond Cut Grading System, Lesson Two
In the Hanneman cut grading system, you must consider diamond proportions to grade a round brilliant stone. Learn what they...
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An Introduction to the Hanneman Diamond Cut Grading System, Lesson One
With the Hanneman diamond cut grading system, you can derive the cut grade of any round brilliant with minimal measurements...
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Color Grading White Diamonds
Mastering the art of color grading white diamonds is a challenge. Learn about the standards, terms, tools, and testing procedures...
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Common Sense Gemstone Grading: An Alternative System
Can gem grading avoid subjective terms? Learn about gemologist Jeff Graham's common sense gemstone grading system, an alternative to commercial...
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Colored Stone Grading System
"Just Ask Jeff" shares his thoughts on the Color Stone Grading System of The GIA. In May 2008, he had...
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