GIA is the Largest, Most Respected Nonprofit Source of Gemological Knowledge in the World. Their diamond graders, researchers and educators are regarded as the world’s experts on gemology.

GIA exists to connect people to the understanding of gems. As a long-standing scientific authority, GIA is not only a unique source for diamond knowledge, its grading reports inspire confidence wherever they appear. Their commitment to protecting diamond buyers inspired the Institute to create the Diamond 4C’s and the International Diamond Grading System™. These methods are the universal benchmarks by which all diamonds are judged. As the birthplace of these standards, and with its investment in continued gemological research, GIA’s authority is unequaled.

The world’s most respected retailers, museums, auction houses and private collectors rely on the expertise of GIA graders to assess, grade and verify their gems. They recognize the importance of complete, unbiased, scientific information in gem assessment, and absolutely trust GIA to provide it.

For these reasons, Mint Diamonds has chosen to only offer diamonds with GIA grading certificates.

(Source: http://4cs.gia.edu/en-us/about-gia/)

How to read the GIA Certificate

While a diamond is given as an expression of love or to celebrate a special occasion, it also represents a major investment in time and money. In order to be absolutely certain of what you're buying, it's important to receive a GIA grading report. These reports represent the most respected and impartial assessment of diamond's quality and authenticity.

Each diamond grading report details the Institute's authoritative assessment of the 4Cs - color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. All GIA diamond grading reports contain a hologram, background screen, and other security features that not only meet industry guidelines, but exceed them. Since GIA is not affiliated with any retailer, wholesaler, or manufacturer, you know that your GIA report represents the impartial opinion of unbiased professionals.

Let’s take a look at what these reports look like and breakdown their individual elements to help you have a clear understanding of what you are seeing when assessing one:

1. Date

Date diamond was examined by GIA.

2. Report Number

Unique GIA report number registered in GIA’s extensive global database.

3. Shape and Cutting Style

The outline of the diamond (shape) and the pattern of the facet arrangement (cutting style).

4. Measurements

Diamond dimensions listed as “minimum diameter - maximum diameter x depth” for round diamonds and “length x width x depth” for fancy-shaped diamonds.

5. Carat Weight

Weight given in carats, recorded to the nearest hundredth of a carat. One carat is equal to ⅕ of a gram.

6. Color Grade

The absence of color ranging from colorless to light yellow or brown when compared to GIA Master Color Comparison Diamonds. Graded on a D-to-Z scale. IF “*” appears next to the color grade, a color treatment was detected.

7. Clarity Grade

The relative absence of inclusions and blemishes. Graded on a scale from Flawless to Included based on size, nature, number, position, and relief of characteristics visible under 10x magnification.

8. Cut Grade

For standard, D-to-Z color, round brilliant diamonds. Cut grade incorporates the aspects of face-up appearance, design, and craftsmanship. Graded on a scale from Excellent to Poor.

9. Polish

Smoothness of the diamond’s surface, assessed on a scale ranging from Excellent to Poor.

10. Symmetry

Exactness of the diamond’s outline, and the shape, placement, and alignment of its facets, assessed on a scale ranging from Excellent to Poor.

11. Fluorescence

Strength and color of the diamond when viewed under long-wave ultraviolet light. A fluorescence description of “none” represents a range of fluorescence from Indiscernible to Very Faint. Used for identification purposes.

12. Inscription(s)

Any text, symbols, logos, or a unique GIA report number inscribed on the diamond’s girdle.

13. Comments

Additional identifying characteristics or features that are not otherwise represented on the report. If a treatment is detected, such as laser drilling, it would be described here.

14. Proportion Diagram

Graphic profile representation of the diamond’s actual proportions.

15. Plotted Diagram

Approximates the shape and cutting style of the diamond. Symbols indicate the type or nature, position, and the approximate size of a clarity characteristic.

16. Key to Symbols

Lists the characteristics and symbols shown on the plotting diagram, if present.

17. GIA Color Scale

Illustrates the GIA Color grades and their relative positions in the GIA Diamond Color Grading System.

18. GIA Clarity Scale

Illustrates the GIA Clarity grades and their relative positions in the GIA Diamond Clarity Grading System.

19. GIA Cut Scale

Illustrates the GIA Cut grades and their relative positions in the GIA Diamond Cut Grading System. Available for standard round brilliant cut diamonds in the D-to-Z color range and Flawless-to-I clarity range.

20. Security Features

Microprinting, security screens, watermarks, a two-dimensional barcode, a hologram, and sheet numbering safeguard report integrity and facilitate document authentication.

21. QR Code

A two-dimensional barcode that, when scanned, verifies data on the report against the GIA database.