Diamonds

The degree to which a diamond is free from inclusions, graded on a scale from Flawless to I3. There are 12 grades in total .

An internal imperfection which runs in the direction of the grain of the diamond. It sometimes extends to the surface of the diamond, or is "healed" inside the diamond .

A cluster of microscopic white or crystalline inclusions or pinpoints inside a diamond .

The best colour is no color or "colourless". Most diamonds have some greater or lesser degree of yellow or brown colour, sometimes so slight that it is virtually imperceptible. Some rare diamonds have very intense or exotic colours (pink, blue, green, purple, or even red) and can be extraordinarily valuable .

Laboratory processes ranging from a simple coating or "painting" as it is known in the trade to sophisticated permanent alteration of the presence of certain trace elements found in the naturally occurring diamond. Laboratory certification is your best protection against treated stones.

The bottom most facet or point of a diamond. The cutlet of some round diamonds may be so pointed they are considered to not be a facet at all .

Cut refers to two main aspects, first: the shape of the stone i.e., emerald cut, princess cut etc. second, the proportions and dimensions of a diamond also known as "make".

A common naturally occurring white feather shaped inclusion, which is not visible to the naked eye .

Also known as photoluminescence, the property some diamonds have that makes them glow a certain colour (usually blue) when placed in an ultraviolet rich environment. Strong, very strong and sometimes medium blue fluorescence may slightly improve the colour appearance of diamonds rated "H" in colour or below (I,J,K etc). Such fluorescence in some of the "lower" colours may even enhance the value of these stones. Strong blue fluorescence in diamonds D to F colour may impart a very slightly bluish appearance and may, in turn, detract a few percent from the value of those diamonds. Some diamonds with strong blue fluorescence can have a hazy or "milky" appearance. 

An internal or external imperfection which may have developed 

A man-made enhancement process in which an inclusion is injected with filler material to mask the presence of it. .

Gemological Institute of America, the single most widely international accepted diamond authority. An independent, third-party international grading service offering diamond grading certificates .

A term used to describe the clarity of the diamond, meaning Included. There are three grades in the I range: I1, I2 and I3.

Internally flawless. Free of any internal imperfections at 10 power magnification .

A term used to describe the clarity of the diamond, meaning slight inclusions. 

Along with life, fire, scintillation, refraction, dispersion, a word used to describe the brilliance of a diamond.

The top and largest facet of a diamond, it is where much of its light both enters and exits the diamond .

A measurement which relates the width of the table divided by the total top surface of area .

A term used to describe the clarity of the diamond, meaning very slight inclusions. There are two grades in the VS range: VS1 and VS2. The imperfections in VS stones can be quite difficult to find even with the aid of 10 power magnification.

A term used to describe the clarity of the diamond, meaning very, very slight inclusions. There are two grades in the VVS range: VVS1 and VVS2. Imperfections in VVS stones should be extremely difficult to find even with the aid of 10 power magnification.