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Diamond Terminology, Definitions, and Abbreviations

Size:
The weight of the diamond measured in carats. One carat is equal to 1/5 of a gram.

Color:
White diamonds are rated using a letter scale from D to Z ranging from colorless to light-yellow (or brown). Diamonds with more color (beyond Z) are rated on a different scale and are considered Fancy-Colors.

White Diamond Color Scale
Colorless	Near-Colorless	Faint Yellow	Very Light Yellow	Light Yellow
D - F	G - J	K - M	N - R	S - Z

Clarity:
Rating of the existence and appearance, under a 10X microscope, of inclusions (internal characteristics) such as clouds, feathers, or foreign material; as well as surface blemishes.

Diamond Clarity
Flawless	Internally Flawless	Very Very Slightly Included		Very Slightly Included		Slightly Included		Included
FL	IF	VVS1	VVS2	VS1	VS2	SI1	SI2	I1	I2	I3

Cut:
The overall quality of the proportions and finish of the diamond. A better cut diamond will reflect more light toward the viewer, making it appear more brilliant.

Diamond Cut
Excellent (EX)	Very Good (VG)	Good (G)	Fair (F)	Poor (P)

Polish:
The finishing or final polishing of the facets.

Diamond Polish
Excellent (EX)	Very Good (VG)	Good (G)	Fair (F)	Poor (P)

Symmetry:
Alignment and positioning of the facets.

Diamond Symmetry
Excellent (EX)	Very Good (VG)	Good (G)	Fair (F)	Poor (P)

Depth:
Ratio of the depth of the diamond to its diameter.

Table:
Ratio of the table diameter of the diamond to its overall diameter.

Girdle:
The narrow band around the widest part of a diamond. It functions as the setting edge and helps to reduce the risk of damage to the diamond. It consists of valley (thinnest) and hill (thickest) positions. There may be on overall grade or a grade for both the valley and hill positions. Middle grades (thin, medium, and slightly thick) are more desirable than extreme grades (extremely thick, extremely thin).

Diamond Girdle
Extremely Thin (ETN)	Very Thin (VTN)	Thin (THN)	Medium (MED)	Slightly Thick (STK)	Thick (THK)	Very Thick (VTK)	Extremely Thick (ETK)

Culet:
The polished facet at the tip or base of the diamond. Its purpose is to prevent damage to the tip of the diamond.

Diamond Culet
None	Very Small	Small	Medium	Slightly Large	Large	Very Large	Extremely Large
Excellent			Very Good	Good		Fair	Poor

Fluorescence:
Visible light emitted from a diamond when exposed to ultraviolet radiation. Fluorescence is most commonly blue but can be other colors.

Diamond Fluorescence
None (N)	Faint (F or FNT)	Medium (M or MED)	Strong (S or STG)	Very Strong (VST)
*Abbreviations may be followed by an additional letter to indicate the color of the fluorescence.

Measurements:
The overall size of the diamond in millimeters.

Certificate:
The agency that certified, graded, and provided the data about each diamond.