The GIA is a non-profit
educational institute. The GIA conducts courses in gemology and
runs trade laboratories. The following terms and tables are recognized
by the GIA.
Gems In Crystal
Form. Quartz and Heliodor
COLOR - The color of
a gemstone is important because it is visible to the human eye.
COLOR GRADING - Diamond
coloring is graded by comparing it to a set of master stones that
have been certified by the appropriate organization.
CLARITY - This term
refers to the number and size of inclusions present in a cut diamond.
WESSELTON - Is a mine
that only produced one color grade that was better than top grade.
Wesselton can be applied to any very slightly tinted stone.
GIA Grades
Traditional Terms
Descriptive Terms
General Terms
D
River
Rarest White
White
E
River
Rarest White
White
F
Top Wesselton
Rare White
White
G
Top Wesselton
Rare White
White
H
Wesselton
White
White
I
Top Crystal
Slightly Tinted White
Slightly Tinted White
J
Crystal
Slightly Tinted White
Slightly Tinted White
K
Top Cape
Tinted White
Tinted White
L
Top Cape
Tinted White
Tinted White
M
Cape
Slightly Yellow
Tinted Color
N
Cape
Slightly Yellow
Tinted Color
O
Light Yellow
Yellowish
Tinted Color
P
Light Yellow
Yellowish
Tinted Color
Q
Light Yellow
Yellowish
Tinted Color
R
Light Yellow
Yellowish
Tinted Color
S-Z
Yellow
Yellow
Tinted Color
CLARITY
Flawless, Internally flawless
Loupe Clean
Flawless: Cut diamond free from
internal and external flaws. Absolutely free from internal flaws.
VVS 1 and 2
No Inclusions in the tables.
Very small inclusions are allowed in the rest of the stone. Minimal
external faults.
SI 1 and 2
Small faults internally or under
the table not visible to the eye.
SI - 2 Small inclusions and definite
external features. Many not visible to the eye.
I 1, 2, and 3
1 - Inclusion easily spotted
with a loupe. Definite external faults.
2 - Large and numerous inclusions,
just visible to the eye.
3- Large and numerous inclusions easily
visible with the eye.
Ms.
Janie's Gem Page is for educational purposes only.
I do not sell Gems nor do I take responsibility for any links
that are posted for your purchasing needs.
This section of Ms. Janie's Collector's Studio has required an
enormous amount of time and energy and can not be reproduced.
The following sources were used to provide some of the wonderful
pictures and information for this section.
(The Gem Collector's Handbook) by John L. Ramsey and Laura J.
Ramsey
(Gem Stones) by Cally Hall
(Gems Crystals and Minerals) by Anna S. Sofianides and George
E. Harlow from the American Museum of Natural History.
Various information sites and links from the World Wide Web
The personal collection and knowledge of Janie E. Daniels
