GIA 4Cs of Diamond Quality 5

Question 1

A customer wants an 'eye-clean' diamond on a tight budget. Which clarity grade offers the best value while typically remaining eye-clean?

Accepted Answer

SI1

Answer

SI1 diamonds are generally eye-clean but cost significantly less than higher clarity grades, making them an excellent value choice.

Question 2

Which of the following is an EXTERNAL clarity characteristic (blemish) rather than an internal one (inclusion)?

Accepted Answer

Scratch

Answer

A scratch is a surface blemish — a thin white line on the diamond's surface — as opposed to an internal inclusion.

Question 3

The GIA color grading system ends at 'Z.' What does a Z-color grade indicate?

Accepted Answer

The diamond has noticeable light yellow or brown color

Answer

Z is the last grade in GIA's normal color range and indicates a noticeable light yellow or brown body color; beyond Z are fancy-color grades.

Question 4

What is 'brightness' as one of the three components GIA uses to evaluate cut quality in round brilliants?

Accepted Answer

The total internal and external white light reflected from a diamond

Answer

Brightness is defined as the total amount of white light — both internal and external reflections — returned to the observer's eye.

Question 5

On a GIA grading report, 'polish' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The smoothness and quality of each facet's surface

Answer

Polish grade evaluates the overall smoothness of each facet's surface as a result of the polishing process; defects can scatter light.

(GIA) Certified Diamonds Gemological Institute of America Practice Test